A four-year-old male leopard was found dead in Kishanpur wildlife sanctuary in Lakhimpur Kheri district. The feline was trapped in an iron snare. It appeared to have died after sustaining serious injuries in an effort to free itself from the snare. The forest department and the local police have lodged a joint operation to arrest poachers.
One of the poachers responsible for the leopard’s death was arrested on Monday. But the arrest could not be confirmed.
Local villagers apprised wildlife activist Jaswant Singh Kalair about the leopard having been trapped near Ambargarh area of the sanctuary on Sunday evening.
After getting the information, Singh, along with other forest officials, reached the spot to rescue the leopard.
“We were waiting for the tranquillising team to arrive after arranging a cage for shifting the leopard. But before members of the team could arrive, the leopard died,” said Singh.
After senior forest officials reached the spot, the carcass was sent for a post-mortem examination.
Several incidents of killings of leopards have been reported from Kishanpur sanctuary in the recent past.
Last week, a leopard strayed from a forest area and entered a village in Gorakhpur where it injured several people. Later, it went back into its natural habitat.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Leopard-found-dead-in-sanctuary-poacher-nabbed/Article1-643834.aspx#
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Cameras keep eye on snow leopards in Spiti Valley
Shimla, Dec 29 (IANS) The third eye is monitoring the movement of the highly endangered, elusive snow leopard in the cold deserts of Himachal Pradesh. And one of the camera traps has thrown up useful footage - of a pack of dogs attacking and injuring a snow leopard.
With just about 750 snow leopards left in India, the Himachal Pradesh government is using cameras to monitor their movement in Spiti Valley, the state's northernmost part, running parallel to the Tibetan border.
The state's wildlife department, in coordination with Mysore-based non-governmental organisation Nature Conservation Foundation, has installed 20 camera traps (automatic cameras) in Spiti Valley.
One of the cameras captured shots of a pack of dogs attacking a snow leopard. The dogs were abandoned by the pastoral communities that migrate from alpine pastures in summer along with their livestock, chief wildlife warden A.K. Gulati told IANS.
'From this video clip, we came to know that abandoned dogs are also a potential threat to the wild cat. However, in this case, the snow leopard managed to escape with minor injuries on its hind legs,' Gulati said.
According to wildlife experts, the rise in the population of abandoned dogs might pose a threat to the snow leopards' food chain.
'The dogs usually attack in a pack and it's easy for them to hunt even big mammals like the Himalayan blue sheep. This might reduce the prey base of the wild cat,' an expert said.
The snow leopard, a graceful golden-eyed animal with thick fur, padded paws and a long tail, is found in rocky regions at an altitude from 2,700 to 6,000 metres (8,900 ft to 20,000 ft). Himachal has adopted it as its state animal.
Not only is the animal extremely elusive but its cold, inhospitable habitat means very little is known about it. Hence the need for technology.
'Initially, 20 cameras have been installed in a 100 sq km area of Spiti to monitor the movement and behaviour of the snow leopards,' Gulati told IANS.
Each camera costs around Rs.250,000 and is equipped with a sensor that shoots any movement of any animal in its vicinity. Each camera has a battery backup of 25 days.
'Placing a camera is really a herculean task. One has to trudge miles of rugged, cold and inhospitable Himalayan terrain. We have to restrict even the movement of the humans as it might develop fear psychosis in the animal or spoil their habitat,' he said.
The footages also captured some other animals like the Himalayan blue sheep and Asiatic ibex - a wild goat species. Both are important prey for the snow leopard.
He said footage indicated the presence of around 10 snow leopards, but nothing conclusive could be said in the study's early stages.
'Right now, we are not in a position to comment on the exact population of the wild cats in Spiti. But we can only say the area supports an impressive population,' he said.
Apart from Spiti Valley, the wildlife wing also plans to install 20 camera traps in the Pin Valley National Park, the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, the Great Himalayan National Park and the Pangi and Bharmour areas of Chamba district, which has a sizeable population of the snow leopard.
Gulati said under the Project Snow Leopard, the state had sent a proposal to the central government to set up a snow leopard research institute in Spiti at a cost of Rs.5.5 crore. He said a major portion of the amount would be spent on improving the habitat of the animal.
The Himachal project is part of the central government's Project Snow Leopard that was launched Jan 20, 2009, as part of efforts to conserve the globally endangered species.
The government had estimated the number of these wild cats to be around 750, but this is the first time an extensive study is being carried out to substantiate the figure.
The project is also operational in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh with support from the Wildlife Institute of India and the Nature Conservation Foundation.
With just about 750 snow leopards left in India, the Himachal Pradesh government is using cameras to monitor their movement in Spiti Valley, the state's northernmost part, running parallel to the Tibetan border.
The state's wildlife department, in coordination with Mysore-based non-governmental organisation Nature Conservation Foundation, has installed 20 camera traps (automatic cameras) in Spiti Valley.
One of the cameras captured shots of a pack of dogs attacking a snow leopard. The dogs were abandoned by the pastoral communities that migrate from alpine pastures in summer along with their livestock, chief wildlife warden A.K. Gulati told IANS.
'From this video clip, we came to know that abandoned dogs are also a potential threat to the wild cat. However, in this case, the snow leopard managed to escape with minor injuries on its hind legs,' Gulati said.
According to wildlife experts, the rise in the population of abandoned dogs might pose a threat to the snow leopards' food chain.
'The dogs usually attack in a pack and it's easy for them to hunt even big mammals like the Himalayan blue sheep. This might reduce the prey base of the wild cat,' an expert said.
The snow leopard, a graceful golden-eyed animal with thick fur, padded paws and a long tail, is found in rocky regions at an altitude from 2,700 to 6,000 metres (8,900 ft to 20,000 ft). Himachal has adopted it as its state animal.
Not only is the animal extremely elusive but its cold, inhospitable habitat means very little is known about it. Hence the need for technology.
'Initially, 20 cameras have been installed in a 100 sq km area of Spiti to monitor the movement and behaviour of the snow leopards,' Gulati told IANS.
Each camera costs around Rs.250,000 and is equipped with a sensor that shoots any movement of any animal in its vicinity. Each camera has a battery backup of 25 days.
'Placing a camera is really a herculean task. One has to trudge miles of rugged, cold and inhospitable Himalayan terrain. We have to restrict even the movement of the humans as it might develop fear psychosis in the animal or spoil their habitat,' he said.
The footages also captured some other animals like the Himalayan blue sheep and Asiatic ibex - a wild goat species. Both are important prey for the snow leopard.
He said footage indicated the presence of around 10 snow leopards, but nothing conclusive could be said in the study's early stages.
'Right now, we are not in a position to comment on the exact population of the wild cats in Spiti. But we can only say the area supports an impressive population,' he said.
Apart from Spiti Valley, the wildlife wing also plans to install 20 camera traps in the Pin Valley National Park, the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, the Great Himalayan National Park and the Pangi and Bharmour areas of Chamba district, which has a sizeable population of the snow leopard.
Gulati said under the Project Snow Leopard, the state had sent a proposal to the central government to set up a snow leopard research institute in Spiti at a cost of Rs.5.5 crore. He said a major portion of the amount would be spent on improving the habitat of the animal.
The Himachal project is part of the central government's Project Snow Leopard that was launched Jan 20, 2009, as part of efforts to conserve the globally endangered species.
The government had estimated the number of these wild cats to be around 750, but this is the first time an extensive study is being carried out to substantiate the figure.
The project is also operational in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh with support from the Wildlife Institute of India and the Nature Conservation Foundation.
Leopard-human conflict: M'rashtra handles it better
SURAT: The neighbouring state of Maharashtra through a scientific approach and the help of a non-government organisation has been able to bring down the incidents of leopard-human conflict there. The leopard mortality was an issue of concern even for the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) though the subject was not in its domain. In contrast, for the past six years south Gujarat has been witnessing recurrent incidents of human and leopard conflict, but the state's forest department is yet to come out with a concrete plan to arrest the trend. It is still caught up in the age-old techniques either of caging or shooting the leopard.
About 15 people lost their lives since 2005 in leopard attacks in Maharashtra while six have died in the attacks by the big cats in Gujarat's Surat and Tapi districts in the past 40 days alone. Between January to December 2010, 35 leopards were killed in conflict with humans or became victims of poachers in Maharashtra which in the previous year had reported deaths of 48 leopards.
"The decrease in the number of conflicts and in the tally of deaths of leopards is due to the drive carried out by Maharashtra's forest department and our NGO. We requested the forest department to change the pattern to tackle the issue," said Vidya Athrey of Project Waghoba.
She said the need is to understand the big cat instead of just caging it randomly and then releasing it in the wild. Before 2008 about 40 leopards were caught and released in the wild every year in Maharashtra but now this number has come down to 10.
"Caging leopards and then releasing them in the wild make them dangerous for the humans. We have tried to provide a safe environment to the animal in the area where it lives and also worked to change human behaviour slightly," Athrey explained.
"Like in Maharashtra, leopards make their home in the sugarcane farms in Gujarat too. On being caught they come into direct conflict with humans. We are trying to convince Gujarat Government to look at our work in Maharashtra and hope to be involved in Gujarat in controlling the situation," she added. Ends
yagnesh.mehta@timesgroup.com
Read more: Leopard-human conflict: M'rashtra handles it better - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Leopard-human-conflict-Mrashtra-handles-it-better/articleshow/7180571.cms#ixzz19TxRmk2i
About 15 people lost their lives since 2005 in leopard attacks in Maharashtra while six have died in the attacks by the big cats in Gujarat's Surat and Tapi districts in the past 40 days alone. Between January to December 2010, 35 leopards were killed in conflict with humans or became victims of poachers in Maharashtra which in the previous year had reported deaths of 48 leopards.
"The decrease in the number of conflicts and in the tally of deaths of leopards is due to the drive carried out by Maharashtra's forest department and our NGO. We requested the forest department to change the pattern to tackle the issue," said Vidya Athrey of Project Waghoba.
She said the need is to understand the big cat instead of just caging it randomly and then releasing it in the wild. Before 2008 about 40 leopards were caught and released in the wild every year in Maharashtra but now this number has come down to 10.
"Caging leopards and then releasing them in the wild make them dangerous for the humans. We have tried to provide a safe environment to the animal in the area where it lives and also worked to change human behaviour slightly," Athrey explained.
"Like in Maharashtra, leopards make their home in the sugarcane farms in Gujarat too. On being caught they come into direct conflict with humans. We are trying to convince Gujarat Government to look at our work in Maharashtra and hope to be involved in Gujarat in controlling the situation," she added. Ends
yagnesh.mehta@timesgroup.com
Read more: Leopard-human conflict: M'rashtra handles it better - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Leopard-human-conflict-Mrashtra-handles-it-better/articleshow/7180571.cms#ixzz19TxRmk2i
Monday, October 4, 2010
Youth killed by tiger in Uttar Pradesh
A youth was mauled by a tiger in Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary here, forest department officials said here today.
Jagmohan, resident of village Chahalwa, was attacked by the tiger when he went to the jungle to collect fodder, forest officer RK Singh said.
The youth was later rescued by the villagers and admitted to a hospital, where he died during treatment.
Since January 2010, five persons have been killed in such attacks.
Source: http://www.anhourago.in/show.aspx?l=6244093
Jagmohan, resident of village Chahalwa, was attacked by the tiger when he went to the jungle to collect fodder, forest officer RK Singh said.
The youth was later rescued by the villagers and admitted to a hospital, where he died during treatment.
Since January 2010, five persons have been killed in such attacks.
Source: http://www.anhourago.in/show.aspx?l=6244093
No relief for ‘wildlife destructor’ Sansar Chand: SC
Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
Time seems to be up for notorious poacher Sansar Chand. After having spent a lifetime hunting down tigers and virtually eliminating big cats from some of the largest wildlife reserves in the country, the Supreme Court on Monday reserved judgement on one of his cases promising no reprieve for such “destructors of wildlife”.
Spewing utmost contempt for Chand, who had approached the Apex Court claiming innocence in a case registered against him in Rajasthan, the Apex bench of Justices Markandey Katju and TS Thakur said, “You (Sansar) have destroyed the entire wildlife in the country by your poaching activities. Now very few tigers and leopards are left.”
Advocate Manish Singhvi appearing for Rajasthan informed the Court that at present eight cases were registered against Chand and many more were pending investigations. Supporting him, the NGO Wildlife Trust of India produced extensive documents to suggest that in all there were 57 cases registered against the accused across the country.
With the trade being in smuggling trophies of tiger and leopard bones and skins, the tiger population had come down to a staggering odd 1,400, WTI informed. It further informed the Court that the nefarious trade had its tentacles spread to Nepal and China where the tiger skin and bones are sold at huge profits.
Stating that Chand alone was responsible for cleaning up Sariska tiger reserve up to its last tiger, Singhvi said, “We have lost our entire tigers in state and he is the key man responsible for it. We can never rehabilitate them since there is a genetic pool of Sariska tigers which has forever been lost.”
Though Sansar Chand’s advocate tried his best to win a legal point for his client, he was snubbed by the Bench, which said, “People like you do not care for anything but profit. Today you are selling tiger and leopard skins. Who knows tomorrow you will sell human skin….It’s sad that the country’s wildlife is being lost and the whole society has become commercialised.”
Hearing one last argument from Chand’s counsel that the only evidence against his client was an extrajudicial confession while no recovery was made from him, the Bench concluded, “We have reserved judgement. We will now pass our orders in the case.”
Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/287672/No-relief-for-%E2%80%98wildlife-destructor%E2%80%99-Sansar-Chand-SC.html
Time seems to be up for notorious poacher Sansar Chand. After having spent a lifetime hunting down tigers and virtually eliminating big cats from some of the largest wildlife reserves in the country, the Supreme Court on Monday reserved judgement on one of his cases promising no reprieve for such “destructors of wildlife”.
Spewing utmost contempt for Chand, who had approached the Apex Court claiming innocence in a case registered against him in Rajasthan, the Apex bench of Justices Markandey Katju and TS Thakur said, “You (Sansar) have destroyed the entire wildlife in the country by your poaching activities. Now very few tigers and leopards are left.”
Advocate Manish Singhvi appearing for Rajasthan informed the Court that at present eight cases were registered against Chand and many more were pending investigations. Supporting him, the NGO Wildlife Trust of India produced extensive documents to suggest that in all there were 57 cases registered against the accused across the country.
With the trade being in smuggling trophies of tiger and leopard bones and skins, the tiger population had come down to a staggering odd 1,400, WTI informed. It further informed the Court that the nefarious trade had its tentacles spread to Nepal and China where the tiger skin and bones are sold at huge profits.
Stating that Chand alone was responsible for cleaning up Sariska tiger reserve up to its last tiger, Singhvi said, “We have lost our entire tigers in state and he is the key man responsible for it. We can never rehabilitate them since there is a genetic pool of Sariska tigers which has forever been lost.”
Though Sansar Chand’s advocate tried his best to win a legal point for his client, he was snubbed by the Bench, which said, “People like you do not care for anything but profit. Today you are selling tiger and leopard skins. Who knows tomorrow you will sell human skin….It’s sad that the country’s wildlife is being lost and the whole society has become commercialised.”
Hearing one last argument from Chand’s counsel that the only evidence against his client was an extrajudicial confession while no recovery was made from him, the Bench concluded, “We have reserved judgement. We will now pass our orders in the case.”
Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/287672/No-relief-for-%E2%80%98wildlife-destructor%E2%80%99-Sansar-Chand-SC.html
Friday, September 24, 2010
Mass murder: speeding goods train killed 7 elephants near Jalpaigudi
A speeding goods train has crushed seven elephants to death in eastern India, after the animals apparently tried to rescue two calves that had become stuck in the tracks.
Conservation officials say the baby elephants got trapped as their herd crossed the line in the northern district of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal state.
Adult animals crowded around the stricken calves, and were hit by the goods train.
"Five elephants died immediately on the track while two others succumbed to their injuries on Thursday morning," Atanu Raha, West Bengal's chief forest conservator said, adding that the train was travelling at 70 kilometres an hour when the speed limit was restricted to a maximum of 40 kph.
He said traffic on the line was suspended while the carcasses were removed, and that the surviving members of the herd were still at the scene the next morning.
Mr Raha said more than 20 elephants have died in the past two years in the area, which is a known corridor for elephants.
"We have lodged a complaint with the local police station against the railway," he said.
Wildlife experts say India is home to an estimated 25,000 wild elephants but their numbers are in decline due to poaching, habitat destruction and train accidents, especially in the east and northeast of the country.
Earlier this month India's environment and forest ministry declared elephants a "national heritage animal" that should be given the same protection as the endangered tiger.
Source:http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201009/3020725.htm?desktop
Photo credit: AFP
45 snares laid for tigers and leopards found in Bandipur
Forest officials at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve have stumbled on as many as 45 metal traps to snare tigers and leopards, all laid by poachers following a combing operation on Thursday. The findings have shocked officials and come despite their massive vigilance drive.
Following the poaching incidents in February, April and July this year when two leopards and a wild boar were killed by poachers inside the Bandipur reserve, the forest department had launched a strict vigilance drive across the reserve. But, despite their intense efforts, poachers have managed to lay traps at strategic locations in the the park.
Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, field director, Project Tiger, B J Hosmath, who led the combing operation said: “Based on a tip-off, our staff launched a combing operation in the ranges of N Begur and Gundre within the reserve and detected as many as 45 snares. After the poaching incidents, especially the one involving the tragic death of a young tiger on April 30 in Gopalaswamybetta region, we had further intensified our operations.”
Senior forest department officials said they were conducting vehicular patrol daily. However, following the spurt in poaching activities using snares, officials were asked patrol the reserve on foot to curb such practices.
“Most of these snares were made of steel cables, but a few were made of telephone cables and natural tree fibres. We suspect this to be the handiwork of poachers from neighbouring villages at the behest of professional poachers. Though snares are used to catch deer and boar for meat, on several instances tigers and leopards were caught and killed on the spot,” an official said.
The department suspects that the notorious poacher Paapa and his associates Nagarajaswamy, Govinda, Shivaraju and Kumaraswamy could have played a major role in setting these snares. The same gang had poached a tiger in February 2010.
Commenting on the trend, Sanjay Gubbi, wildlife conservationist and member of the state wildlife board said, “Snares have become a serious problem. Unlike major poaching equipments, these are difficult to detect. This incident highlights the importance of patrolling on foot.”
Hit by Staff crunch
The acute shortage of ground level staff in the department has marred plans to safeguard the population of big cats. According to officials in the forest department, Bandipur and the adjacent Nagarhole and Mudumali regions have the largest population of tigers – estimated to be about 300 – in the country.
“We have not given up despite the acute shortage of ground level staff,” an official said. “More staff would help us further augment the combing operation,’’ another senior official said.
Karnataka is the only state in the country which has a Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF).
Source:http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/2010092420100924050243616220ba139/45-snares-laid-for-tigers-and-leopards-found-in-Bandipur.html
Following the poaching incidents in February, April and July this year when two leopards and a wild boar were killed by poachers inside the Bandipur reserve, the forest department had launched a strict vigilance drive across the reserve. But, despite their intense efforts, poachers have managed to lay traps at strategic locations in the the park.
Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, field director, Project Tiger, B J Hosmath, who led the combing operation said: “Based on a tip-off, our staff launched a combing operation in the ranges of N Begur and Gundre within the reserve and detected as many as 45 snares. After the poaching incidents, especially the one involving the tragic death of a young tiger on April 30 in Gopalaswamybetta region, we had further intensified our operations.”
Senior forest department officials said they were conducting vehicular patrol daily. However, following the spurt in poaching activities using snares, officials were asked patrol the reserve on foot to curb such practices.
“Most of these snares were made of steel cables, but a few were made of telephone cables and natural tree fibres. We suspect this to be the handiwork of poachers from neighbouring villages at the behest of professional poachers. Though snares are used to catch deer and boar for meat, on several instances tigers and leopards were caught and killed on the spot,” an official said.
The department suspects that the notorious poacher Paapa and his associates Nagarajaswamy, Govinda, Shivaraju and Kumaraswamy could have played a major role in setting these snares. The same gang had poached a tiger in February 2010.
Commenting on the trend, Sanjay Gubbi, wildlife conservationist and member of the state wildlife board said, “Snares have become a serious problem. Unlike major poaching equipments, these are difficult to detect. This incident highlights the importance of patrolling on foot.”
Hit by Staff crunch
The acute shortage of ground level staff in the department has marred plans to safeguard the population of big cats. According to officials in the forest department, Bandipur and the adjacent Nagarhole and Mudumali regions have the largest population of tigers – estimated to be about 300 – in the country.
“We have not given up despite the acute shortage of ground level staff,” an official said. “More staff would help us further augment the combing operation,’’ another senior official said.
Karnataka is the only state in the country which has a Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF).
Source:http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/2010092420100924050243616220ba139/45-snares-laid-for-tigers-and-leopards-found-in-Bandipur.html
Sunday, September 19, 2010
American Wolf skin meant for occult scientist seized
Kolkata, Sep 19 (PTI) The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has seized a wolf-skin with trophy in a consignment coming through United States Postal Service which was meant for a self-proclaimed scientist having interests in occult sciences. After getting inputs about some wildlife contraband being sent through official postal service, the WCCB officials had alerted the foreign post office here. During scanning of parcels, the officials found one consignment from New York carrying a complete Wolf skin with the trophy. The skin was labelled as rug and rolled in a way to give the look, official sources said. This is the second seizure after same WCCB team led by Inspector Abhijit Roy Chowdhury seized a Puma skin coming from Illinois in United State through the US Postal Service last month. Both the consignments were meant for the self-proclaimed scientist working for a private firm. None of the consignments carried necessary legal documentation with them. The team then zeroed in on the residence of the accused where they found large number of small cat bones, deer skins and other illegal wildlife material. The officials have sent the material to Zoological Society of India to get confirmation about the exact species of these dead animals. During the questioning, the self-proclaimed scientist in early thirties told the investigators that he was a follower of "Tantra", a mystical science and said he needed this contraband to perform his occult rituals. When grilled further, he told investigators that he was looking for Lion or a Tiger skin but when he could not get them, he opted for highly endangered exotic species Puma which is also known as Mountain lion and is found in the US. Wolf is listed in appendix one of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora making any kind of trading of it or its part illegal. The grey wolves are given highest level of protection in India being the part of schedule one of the Wildlife Protection Act. "These recoveries show that postal service is being used to send wildlife contraband across the country. These people are now using government postal system to avoid suspicion of the enforcement officials. "We have alerted the postal authorities," an official said. The WCCB has also alerted its counterpart in the United States about the recovery and both the agencies are now trying "connect the dots" to get the exact trail of senders.
Source:http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/american-wolf-skin-meant-for-occult-scientist-seized/336573.html
Source:http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/american-wolf-skin-meant-for-occult-scientist-seized/336573.html
Tiger skin seized from post parcel at airport
CHENNAI: In a first, air customs officers at airport on Friday seized a tiger skin sent from London as parcel.
The tiger skin was 8 feet long from head to tail and 6 feet wide from leg to leg. The body was 2.10 feet in width, said a customs press release.
The parcel was detained by the air intelligence unit of customs under suspicion that it might contain contraband. But it turned out to be a tiger skin when the parcel was opened. The parcel was addressed to a person in Chennai.
Wild Life Crime Control Bureau has confirmed that the skin and skull is genuine and that it belonged to an Indian tiger.
Customs Commissioner R Periasami said the skin was seized after we found that it is a violation of wildlife protection Act. Investigation is on to trace the person who sent it. It might have been sent abroad from India years ago, he said.
Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tiger-skin-seized-from-post-parcel-at-airport/articleshow/6581763.cms
The tiger skin was 8 feet long from head to tail and 6 feet wide from leg to leg. The body was 2.10 feet in width, said a customs press release.
The parcel was detained by the air intelligence unit of customs under suspicion that it might contain contraband. But it turned out to be a tiger skin when the parcel was opened. The parcel was addressed to a person in Chennai.
Wild Life Crime Control Bureau has confirmed that the skin and skull is genuine and that it belonged to an Indian tiger.
Customs Commissioner R Periasami said the skin was seized after we found that it is a violation of wildlife protection Act. Investigation is on to trace the person who sent it. It might have been sent abroad from India years ago, he said.
Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tiger-skin-seized-from-post-parcel-at-airport/articleshow/6581763.cms
India elected as Secretary of Interpol Wildlife crime group
NEW DELHI: India has been elected for the post of secretary in the Wildlife Crime Working Group of the Interpol for the first time.
The election took place during seventh International Conference on Environmental Crime at the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon, France held between September 13-17, official sources said.
Additional Director Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Rina Mitra will be representing India in the post.
India will hold the position for a period of four years. The United Kingdom has been elected for the post of Chair.
The Wildlife Crime Working Group comprises all the 188 member countries of Interpol and works under the framework of Environmental Crime Committee which identifies emerging patterns and trends in the field of environmental crime enforcement.
All member countries elect four officials Chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary and treasurer for a period of four year.
The group meets annually to discuss issues regarding wildlife crime and identify emerging trends in the illegal trade of flora and fauna.
The group focuses the expertise and experience of law enforcement officers of the member countries on wildlife crime like the poaching, trafficking, or possession of legally protected flora and fauna.
Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-elected-as-Secretary-of-Interpol-Wildlife-crime-group/articleshow/6585450.cms
The election took place during seventh International Conference on Environmental Crime at the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon, France held between September 13-17, official sources said.
Additional Director Wildlife Crime Control Bureau Rina Mitra will be representing India in the post.
India will hold the position for a period of four years. The United Kingdom has been elected for the post of Chair.
The Wildlife Crime Working Group comprises all the 188 member countries of Interpol and works under the framework of Environmental Crime Committee which identifies emerging patterns and trends in the field of environmental crime enforcement.
All member countries elect four officials Chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary and treasurer for a period of four year.
The group meets annually to discuss issues regarding wildlife crime and identify emerging trends in the illegal trade of flora and fauna.
The group focuses the expertise and experience of law enforcement officers of the member countries on wildlife crime like the poaching, trafficking, or possession of legally protected flora and fauna.
Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-elected-as-Secretary-of-Interpol-Wildlife-crime-group/articleshow/6585450.cms
Friday, August 27, 2010
Real tiger cub found among stuffed toys in luggage at Bangkok airport
A two-month-old tiger cub was found sedated and hidden among stuffed toy tigers in luggage at Bangkok airport after scanners detect heartbeat.
By Ian MacKinnon in Bangkok
Published: 3:15PM BST 27 Aug 2010
The endangered tiger had been sedated with tranquillisers and hidden in the bag.
But officials at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport grew suspicious when a 31-year-old Thai woman, who has not been named, struggled with her out-sized baggage at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport while boarding a flight for Iran.
Airlines to deploy automated kiosks to help trace lost bagsAn X-ray machine revealed the cub's beating heart, but when the woman was questioned, she could not explain why there was a real tiger in her bag.
"The woman trying to check in the oversized bag denied any knowledge of the tiger. She said she was carrying it for someone else," said Nirat Nipanand, an airport customs official in charge of tracking animals.
DNA samples from the cub - which has been sent to a wildlife rescue centre in Ratchaburi province - are being tested to discover whether it was born in captivity or seized from the wild.
Tiger populations in Asia are under constant threat from poaching and illegal trade and wildlife groups have been lobbying governments to increase monitoring and enforce tougher penalties.
Traffic, an organisation that fights wildlife smuggling, hailed the discovery.
Chris Shepherd, Traffic's south-east Asia deputy director, said: "If people are trying to smuggle live tigers in their check-in luggage, they obviously think wildlife smuggling is easy to get away with and do not fear reprimand. Only sustained pressure . . . can change that."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/7967743/Real-tiger-cub-found-among-stuffed-toys-in-luggage-at-Bangkok-airport.html
By Ian MacKinnon in Bangkok
Published: 3:15PM BST 27 Aug 2010
The endangered tiger had been sedated with tranquillisers and hidden in the bag.
But officials at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport grew suspicious when a 31-year-old Thai woman, who has not been named, struggled with her out-sized baggage at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport while boarding a flight for Iran.
Airlines to deploy automated kiosks to help trace lost bagsAn X-ray machine revealed the cub's beating heart, but when the woman was questioned, she could not explain why there was a real tiger in her bag.
"The woman trying to check in the oversized bag denied any knowledge of the tiger. She said she was carrying it for someone else," said Nirat Nipanand, an airport customs official in charge of tracking animals.
DNA samples from the cub - which has been sent to a wildlife rescue centre in Ratchaburi province - are being tested to discover whether it was born in captivity or seized from the wild.
Tiger populations in Asia are under constant threat from poaching and illegal trade and wildlife groups have been lobbying governments to increase monitoring and enforce tougher penalties.
Traffic, an organisation that fights wildlife smuggling, hailed the discovery.
Chris Shepherd, Traffic's south-east Asia deputy director, said: "If people are trying to smuggle live tigers in their check-in luggage, they obviously think wildlife smuggling is easy to get away with and do not fear reprimand. Only sustained pressure . . . can change that."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/7967743/Real-tiger-cub-found-among-stuffed-toys-in-luggage-at-Bangkok-airport.html
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Poacher to be dealt with iron hands, Sansar gets 6 years jail
PTI
New Delhi, Aug 25 (PTI) Notorious poacher Sansar Chand was today sentenced to six years jail term by a Delhi court in a case relating to seizure of a leopard skin here in 1995, saying such offence should be dealt with "iron hands". Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Digvinay Singh also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him while awarding the maximum jail term prescribed under the Wildlife Protection Act. The court said that the offences relating to wildlife must be dealt with strict punishment to bring down poaching incidents across the country. The court raised concern over the rising menace of poaching. "Despite various steps taken by the government across the globe, the offence relating to wildlife are refusing to come down. In the Act, stringent punishment is provided which is awarded time and again to contain the offence, but still the situation does not seem to be improving," the court said. "In my considered view, such repeated offenders need to be dealt with iron hands, more particularly when there have been previous convictions and involvement in other similar offences," the judge noted. .
Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/poacher-to-be-dealt-with-iron-hands-sansar-gets-6-years-jail/260531.html
New Delhi, Aug 25 (PTI) Notorious poacher Sansar Chand was today sentenced to six years jail term by a Delhi court in a case relating to seizure of a leopard skin here in 1995, saying such offence should be dealt with "iron hands". Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Digvinay Singh also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him while awarding the maximum jail term prescribed under the Wildlife Protection Act. The court said that the offences relating to wildlife must be dealt with strict punishment to bring down poaching incidents across the country. The court raised concern over the rising menace of poaching. "Despite various steps taken by the government across the globe, the offence relating to wildlife are refusing to come down. In the Act, stringent punishment is provided which is awarded time and again to contain the offence, but still the situation does not seem to be improving," the court said. "In my considered view, such repeated offenders need to be dealt with iron hands, more particularly when there have been previous convictions and involvement in other similar offences," the judge noted. .
Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/poacher-to-be-dealt-with-iron-hands-sansar-gets-6-years-jail/260531.html
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Gharial hatchlings in river Girwa
Gharials are one of the critically endangered species of the country. There are a very few places left in the country where Gharials profusely breeds naturally. Katerniaghat is one of such places left in the world. In river Girwa, Gharials are breeding in a very small strech with highest congregation of breeding individuals. This year again natural breeding of Gharials went very well and around 1400 hatchlings of Gharial started their lives in river Girwa two months back. Though their lives are uncertain due to routine flooding in the river every year and very high runoff in the month of August-September, even then the news regarding small hatchlings diving in the shallow waters around the sandbars always gives us a sense of achievement and seeing the result of intensive species conservation initiatives taken since 2005 . The above two photographs have been sent by Fazlur Rahman of Katerniaghat Foundation, which are being shared with wishing an everlasting survival of this really endangered species in our river ecosystems.
Photo credit- M. K. Shukla, Range Officer (Katerniaghat Range)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Scat analysis indicates presence of more tigers in Buxa
Hindu,
PTI
Kolkata, August 3, 2010
The Buxa Tiger Reserve in north Bengal, identified as a low density tiger reserve, may in fact harbour a greater number of the big cats as indicated by initial reports of scat samples.
“We had sent 83 samples to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad of which 55 were fit for analysis. Preliminary reports confirmed that 33 of these samples are of tiger origin,” Field Director of Buxa Tiger Reserve R.P. Saini told PTI.
During the tiger estimation exercise, scats were collected to enable DNA profiling of tigers in the reserve, but the exercise could not be completed due to rain and another full-fledged exercise would be undertaken after the monsoon, he said.
Describing the preliminary findings as “very encouraging”, he said it clearly indicated the presence of a number of tigers in the Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Asked to give the number of big cats in Buxa Tiger Reserve, he said although a detailed report about the number and gender of the tigers was yet to be received, it could be anything between 12 and 16.
Questions were frequently raised about the presence of tigers in Buxa Tiger Reserve where a big cat was photographed for the first time since its inception.
NTCA had identified Buxa as one of the reserves having low density tiger population and constituted a special team last year for urgent appraisal of the reserve.
He said that reports regarding preliminary findings were submitted to the state government as well as the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Encouraged by the reports, the State government has sanctioned Rs. 30 lakh to the Buxa Tiger Reserve for the development of grasslands in the reserve, he said.
Saini said scats were also sent to ‘Aranyak’, an NGO based in Assam, for analysis and their preliminary report. He also said that 35 of the samples belonged to tigers.
He said that GPS positioning was recorded during the scat collection and after receiving the detailed report camera traps would be set up in areas with high tiger density.
BTR authorities had earlier toyed with the idea of going in for captive breeding to maintain the tiger population.
Now they have decided to relocate nine villages from the core areas of the reserve. The villages to be relocated outside the core area are Jainti, Bhutiabasti, Gangutia, Raimatang, Butrhi, Adma, Pana, 27 mile and 28 mile, he said.
The relocation would start anytime after funds were received from the government for the purpose, he said adding residents of eight villages had already agreed to opt for a monetary package for relocation.
Link: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article549620.ece
PTI
Kolkata, August 3, 2010
The Buxa Tiger Reserve in north Bengal, identified as a low density tiger reserve, may in fact harbour a greater number of the big cats as indicated by initial reports of scat samples.
“We had sent 83 samples to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad of which 55 were fit for analysis. Preliminary reports confirmed that 33 of these samples are of tiger origin,” Field Director of Buxa Tiger Reserve R.P. Saini told PTI.
During the tiger estimation exercise, scats were collected to enable DNA profiling of tigers in the reserve, but the exercise could not be completed due to rain and another full-fledged exercise would be undertaken after the monsoon, he said.
Describing the preliminary findings as “very encouraging”, he said it clearly indicated the presence of a number of tigers in the Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Asked to give the number of big cats in Buxa Tiger Reserve, he said although a detailed report about the number and gender of the tigers was yet to be received, it could be anything between 12 and 16.
Questions were frequently raised about the presence of tigers in Buxa Tiger Reserve where a big cat was photographed for the first time since its inception.
NTCA had identified Buxa as one of the reserves having low density tiger population and constituted a special team last year for urgent appraisal of the reserve.
He said that reports regarding preliminary findings were submitted to the state government as well as the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Encouraged by the reports, the State government has sanctioned Rs. 30 lakh to the Buxa Tiger Reserve for the development of grasslands in the reserve, he said.
Saini said scats were also sent to ‘Aranyak’, an NGO based in Assam, for analysis and their preliminary report. He also said that 35 of the samples belonged to tigers.
He said that GPS positioning was recorded during the scat collection and after receiving the detailed report camera traps would be set up in areas with high tiger density.
BTR authorities had earlier toyed with the idea of going in for captive breeding to maintain the tiger population.
Now they have decided to relocate nine villages from the core areas of the reserve. The villages to be relocated outside the core area are Jainti, Bhutiabasti, Gangutia, Raimatang, Butrhi, Adma, Pana, 27 mile and 28 mile, he said.
The relocation would start anytime after funds were received from the government for the purpose, he said adding residents of eight villages had already agreed to opt for a monetary package for relocation.
Link: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/article549620.ece
Monday, August 2, 2010
High-tech tracking on for man-killing tiger
TNN, Aug 1, 2010, 12.59am IST
LUCKNOW: If not the first ever, it is at least a rare practice of high-tech tracking of a man-killing tiger that Pilibhit forest officials have taken up. The forest department is getting help from the wildlife organisations which are providing the department the needed expertise and the `cameras' which can incessantly click for 60-odd days.
The sub-adult tiger which made its first killing on May 3 and latest on July 27 has been lying inactive for past some days. Jamuna Prasad of Dilawarpur village in Ghundchai beat of Deoria range of Pilibhit forest division was killed by the man-eater on July 27.
On Saturday, forest department decided to change the position of eight web cameras which were installed at the killing sites on July 25. "We will now install cameras every 2 km," said divisional forest officer (DFO) Pilibhit VK Singh. The entire Deoria range of 712 sqkm will be divided into 25 grids, each of four sqkm area. A camera will be installed at every grid to locate the tiger.
It was on July 25 that the tiger was clicked by the cameras. It has remained elusive since then though it struck again two days after. The cameras click automatically moment the animal passes by. Every two days the camera trappings are downloaded. The trappings so far have given some clue on the tiger. "It is not at all injured but we cannot say what is making it to kill men," said DFO.
The tiger since May 3 has killed five men and preyed on them partially. It struck on June 7 and 23 and July 25 and 27. However, all the victims had gone to the forest as their bodies were recovered from about 5 km inside the forest area. This is, in fact, the reason why the forest officials are hesitant to brand the big cat a `man-eater'.
Though tiger is not compulsively seeking a human prey, vigil is on in the area to trap it before it makes another kill. The precautionary measures will be followed during the monsoon period. The villagers who enter the forest will be treated as tresspassers. On Saturday, two tresspassers were caught by the forest staff.
An awareness campaign too is underway in the area. Villagers are being informed about the tiger's presence and the precautions they should take.
Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/High-tech-tracking-on-for-man-killing-tiger/articleshow/6242292.cms
LUCKNOW: If not the first ever, it is at least a rare practice of high-tech tracking of a man-killing tiger that Pilibhit forest officials have taken up. The forest department is getting help from the wildlife organisations which are providing the department the needed expertise and the `cameras' which can incessantly click for 60-odd days.
The sub-adult tiger which made its first killing on May 3 and latest on July 27 has been lying inactive for past some days. Jamuna Prasad of Dilawarpur village in Ghundchai beat of Deoria range of Pilibhit forest division was killed by the man-eater on July 27.
On Saturday, forest department decided to change the position of eight web cameras which were installed at the killing sites on July 25. "We will now install cameras every 2 km," said divisional forest officer (DFO) Pilibhit VK Singh. The entire Deoria range of 712 sqkm will be divided into 25 grids, each of four sqkm area. A camera will be installed at every grid to locate the tiger.
It was on July 25 that the tiger was clicked by the cameras. It has remained elusive since then though it struck again two days after. The cameras click automatically moment the animal passes by. Every two days the camera trappings are downloaded. The trappings so far have given some clue on the tiger. "It is not at all injured but we cannot say what is making it to kill men," said DFO.
The tiger since May 3 has killed five men and preyed on them partially. It struck on June 7 and 23 and July 25 and 27. However, all the victims had gone to the forest as their bodies were recovered from about 5 km inside the forest area. This is, in fact, the reason why the forest officials are hesitant to brand the big cat a `man-eater'.
Though tiger is not compulsively seeking a human prey, vigil is on in the area to trap it before it makes another kill. The precautionary measures will be followed during the monsoon period. The villagers who enter the forest will be treated as tresspassers. On Saturday, two tresspassers were caught by the forest staff.
An awareness campaign too is underway in the area. Villagers are being informed about the tiger's presence and the precautions they should take.
Link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/High-tech-tracking-on-for-man-killing-tiger/articleshow/6242292.cms
Friday, July 30, 2010
Poacher convicted for 3 years imprisonment
As per the information a dreaded tiger poacher Dariya (who was caught in corbett in the year 2008 with traps and tools)and later on arrested by MP forest department from Ramnagar in an 21 year old case has been convicted by JMFC in Sihora in Jabalpur division.
He has been sentenced for three years rigorous imprisonment and also fined Rs Ten Thousand by the court. His wife Bhagwati and seven other had been booked in the case relating to seizure of a tiger skin, tiger bones, tiger fat, hyena skin and traps in Bahoriband range in Madhya Pradesh.
Dariya was arrested on April 28, 2008 from the Corbett Tiger Reserve with tiger traps and tools.
He has been sentenced for three years rigorous imprisonment and also fined Rs Ten Thousand by the court. His wife Bhagwati and seven other had been booked in the case relating to seizure of a tiger skin, tiger bones, tiger fat, hyena skin and traps in Bahoriband range in Madhya Pradesh.
Dariya was arrested on April 28, 2008 from the Corbett Tiger Reserve with tiger traps and tools.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Pangolins are under threat
The latest seizure of 7.8 tonnes of frozen descaled pangolins and 1,800 kg of pangolin scales by custom authorities in China is indicating the extent of the pangolin threats in South East Asia and South Asia. The species is under tremendous threat due to sudden increase in demand of its meat and scales in Chinese traditional medicines.
One month back in an other important seizure Nepalese police had arrested chines, Nepalese and Indian citizens smuggling 480 kg of pangolin scales at Barabise, very near nepal-china border.
In India pangolin scales has recently been seized by customs at Guwahati airport along with tiger skull and bones. The consignments were being sent through railway mail service parcels to imphal.
The other major seizure reported in the Asian region in the last few years includes, seizure by Thai customs officers in the year 2007 when they rescued over 100 pangolins, as the animals were being smuggled out of the country, en route to China, where they were to be sold for cooking. In 2008, Vietnamese customs officials seized around 5 tons of pangolin meat. It was said that this meat came from 1,481 pangolins. Similarly in 2009, Malaysian police seized 40 live pangolins believed to have been brought illegally out of Indonesia.
Pangolins are hunted and eaten in many parts of Africa and are one of the more popular types of bush meat. As per the reports Pangolins are in great demand in China because their meat is considered a delicacy and some Chinese believe pangolin scales reduce swelling, promote blood circulation and help breast-feeding women produce milk.
International trade in Asian pangolin species is banned under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Two of the four species are classified as Endangered by IUCN. Both the Chines pangolins and Indian pangolins are listed in Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
In the present scenario the demand of pangolins scales seems very high and since population of the species have drastically gone down in china and south east Asian countries, extreme pressure has been mounted on the Indian pangolin found in the country.
Photo credit/© EW / TRAFFIC
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Crocs breed at Katerniaghat
Katerniaghat Sanctuary is very well known for concentrated Gharial population in river Girwa. I remember, in 2005 we could locate only 5 nests of Gharial scattered on different sand bars, and before that there was no record of natural breeding in river Girwa for last 7-8 years. The eggs were predated both by wild animals and human beings. From the next year, that was 2006, intensive efforts were initiated and the number of nests constantly increased to 18 in 2006, 24 in 2007 and finally to 27 in 2009.
Last year all sand bars had been washed away in during the flood, even then the Gharials laid eggs on different scattered sites. Besides this 161 eggs were brought from Kukrail Breeding Centre, Lucknow and were artificially laid on the sand bars for ex-situ hatching.
As per the information till date 30 nests have been hatched and out of 1317 eggs 1178 hatchlings have come out. Out of 161 Kukrail eggs, 140 hatchlings have come out. It is expected that more nests will hatch in day or two.
I had been constantly observing the breeding of Gharials in Katerniaghat for last 5 years and can easily say that if the closure is provided around the breeding habitats and the Gharials are given disturbance free zone for at least three months (April -June), wonderful results can be achieved. We need similar success in other breeding Gharial habitats also.
Photos:(C) Ramesh Pandey
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Leopard found dead in Kanha, claws missing
Mandla (MP), May 24 (PTI) A six-year old leopard was found dead with its three claws missing at the buffer zone of Kanha Tiger Reserve, officials said today.The leopard was found dead at a deep nullah in Shijoura area yesterday, they said.The animal's three claws were missing when its body was found, Kanha Reserve veterinarian Sandeep Agrawal, who performed the autopsy said. The poachers must have chopped them off after it died after drowning, he added.He said the postmortem of the spotted animal revealed that it died due to drowning. Some people after spotting the leopard might have dragged it out of the nullah and chopped of its claws for the nails, he said.Agrawal said that some clothes were found at the spot.
Source: http://www.ptinews.com/news/666701_Leopard-found-dead-in-Kanha--claws-missing
Cruel world of the tiger
By KATE JACKSON
Published: 24 May 2010
IN A dingy market stall in southern Tibet, a trader empties out a sack full of bones.
These pitiful relics were once a magnificent tiger, roaming wild and free.
Now sold on the black market to be used in medicines and Tiger wine, these bones can fetch around £600 per kilo
It's a sickening sight.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/2984986/Cruel-world-of-the-tiger-trade.html#ixzz0ovpyFAm1
Published: 24 May 2010
IN A dingy market stall in southern Tibet, a trader empties out a sack full of bones.
These pitiful relics were once a magnificent tiger, roaming wild and free.
Now sold on the black market to be used in medicines and Tiger wine, these bones can fetch around £600 per kilo
It's a sickening sight.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/2984986/Cruel-world-of-the-tiger-trade.html#ixzz0ovpyFAm1
Tigers attack human habitations
Attacks on human habitations, cattle and domestic animals by tigers of the Sunderbans have seen unprecedented rise since the past few months owing to drastic reduction of forest areas and dwindling numbers of prey for the great cats.
Royal Bengal tigers are often seen invading the villages across the river in both North and South 24 Parganas districts while the residents of Samshernagar village under Hingalganj police station in the North as well as Jemspur and Anpur villages of the South reported attacks of the Royal Bengal tigers, which killed several cattle, including cows, goats and sheep after entering the cattle sheds of a number of houses.
A tiger entered Samshernagar village during two successive nights and killed as many as ten cattle from four cattle sheds on May 22 night. Another tiger entered the village on May 21 night crossing Kundekhali canal of the Jhingakhali range of the Sunderbans and killed four goats, of which one was taken away by the tiger to the forest, locals said.
Incidentally, beat officers of the forest department were in a dilemma in finding a way out to prevent tigers from entering the inhabited areas. They suggested the local Panchayat and the villagers to erect strong fencing. The beat officials also suggested to arrange for night guards in this case.
On the other hand, Jemspur village of South 24 Parganas saw a full grown Royal Bengal tiger killing at least four cattle, including a dog, after entering a cattle shed of a villager during late evening.
As the villagers chased the tiger, it fled from Jemspur to Anpur village, where it also killed a few cattle. The forest officials were also called for help by the villagers. Finally the beast was caught yesterday morning. It was later sedated and brought to the Anpur beat house from where it will be released in the forest after fixing a radio collar as was done for a couple of tigers, which were caught from Chhotomollkhali and Netidhopani villages in South district.
Forest department officials have blamed the man-animal conflict to the degradation of the ecosystem following dwindling of the Sunderban forest area, which was posing a danger to the endangered animals' survival as the number of their prey had reduced considerably.
Source: http://samaylive.com/english/regional/676464745.html
Royal Bengal tigers are often seen invading the villages across the river in both North and South 24 Parganas districts while the residents of Samshernagar village under Hingalganj police station in the North as well as Jemspur and Anpur villages of the South reported attacks of the Royal Bengal tigers, which killed several cattle, including cows, goats and sheep after entering the cattle sheds of a number of houses.
A tiger entered Samshernagar village during two successive nights and killed as many as ten cattle from four cattle sheds on May 22 night. Another tiger entered the village on May 21 night crossing Kundekhali canal of the Jhingakhali range of the Sunderbans and killed four goats, of which one was taken away by the tiger to the forest, locals said.
Incidentally, beat officers of the forest department were in a dilemma in finding a way out to prevent tigers from entering the inhabited areas. They suggested the local Panchayat and the villagers to erect strong fencing. The beat officials also suggested to arrange for night guards in this case.
On the other hand, Jemspur village of South 24 Parganas saw a full grown Royal Bengal tiger killing at least four cattle, including a dog, after entering a cattle shed of a villager during late evening.
As the villagers chased the tiger, it fled from Jemspur to Anpur village, where it also killed a few cattle. The forest officials were also called for help by the villagers. Finally the beast was caught yesterday morning. It was later sedated and brought to the Anpur beat house from where it will be released in the forest after fixing a radio collar as was done for a couple of tigers, which were caught from Chhotomollkhali and Netidhopani villages in South district.
Forest department officials have blamed the man-animal conflict to the degradation of the ecosystem following dwindling of the Sunderban forest area, which was posing a danger to the endangered animals' survival as the number of their prey had reduced considerably.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Kathmandu summit laid the foundation for SA-WEN
Kathmandu, Nepal, 19 May 2010—Experts from South Asia have laid the foundation for a South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) as a co-ordinated regional response to combat illegal poaching and trafficking. Seven member countries agreed to the establishment of a secretariat and an outline work programme for the network.The historic First Meeting of the South Asia Experts Group on Illegal Wildlife Trade was concluded here today with the objective of helping wildlife law enforcement agencies become better organized than the criminals themselves. As a major step towards a co-ordinated and collaborative mechanism, the Experts Group agreed that an action-oriented approach under the newly formed SAWEN should be pursued without delay.The experts from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed the structure, functions and operational parameters for SAWEN, including ideas for developing multi-lateral activities based on strong inter-agency co-operation at the national level. "Co-operation and co-ordination between the government agencies supported by their international counterparts is of utmost importance to effectively tackle illegal wildlife trade in the region,” said Hon. Mr Deepak Bohara, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation, Government of Nepal, in his closing address. The Government of Nepal has offered to drive this process further in hosting the network and acting as an interim co-ordinator for the network. Over the next six months, it will focus on co-ordinating key information and identifying further resources and expertise from member countries to develop joint operations, training programs, communication plans and fundraising to enable the network to begin interdicting major trafficking activities. The Government of Bhutan has offered to host the next meeting of SAWEN members. "WWF is pleased at the outcomes of the meeting and looks forward to working with the network in the coming months to ensure the success of this crucial initiative, "said Mr. Diwakar Chapagain, Wildlife Trade Manager, WWF Nepal."We appreciate the leadership shown by the Government of Nepal and support by TRAFFIC International in organizing this meeting."The First Meeting of the South Asia Experts Group on Illegal Wildlife Trade was hosted by the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Govt. of Nepal, and supported by WWF Nepal and TRAFFIC International. Funding support for the meeting was generously provided by the US Government’s Department of State.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Panna reserve now 3 cubs full
Hindustan Times: By HT correspondence;
Three tiny furballs now hold the success of India's tiger conservation in their tiny paws.
The newborn tiger cubs, spotted on Friday in Madhya Pradesh's Panna national park, herald the success of the controversial plan of relocating the big cats.
A survey last year found that the once-densely populated Panna reserve had lost all its tiger, mostly to poaching. In an effort to repopulate the park, a tigress from Bandhavgarh in Karnataka and a tiger from Pench in MP were moved to Panna.
"On Friday night, we spotted the three cubs with the tigress as they came out of a cave. The tigress apparently had decided to shift her cubs to a more suitable place," an ecstatic Panna National Park Field Director R Sreeniwas Murthy said.
Forest officials again got a clear sighting of the new family the next day — the mother and all three cubs.
Murthy said this was the first instance of a relocated tigress giving birth to healthy cubs.
Earlier, forest department officials had an inkling that the tigress was pregnant because it was not moving out of the cave near a waterfall for more than a month.
The department was keeping a close eye on her movements.
"We got it confirmed on Friday night and have prohibited tourist from visiting the area," Murthy said.
The Panna Tiger Reserve was found to have 24 tigers after the census in January 2006. But by December 2008 all the tigers were gone.
Ref:http://www.hindustantimes.com/Panna-reserve-now-3-cubs-full/Article1-541504.aspx
Friday, May 7, 2010
Accused convicted for possessing Sambhar skin
The special court in Delhi convicted a man to imprisonment for his involvement in wildlife trade after he was found in possession of skin of endangered Sambhar deer. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) of Special Act, Dig Vinay Singh, last week sent Vishal Mehra to jail for the period undergone in judicial custody which was more than seven months. A joint team of police and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) had arrested Mehra with four Sambhar skin in Rohini area in September last year. Sambhar is in schedule IV category and punishment for the crime is less than 3 years. Considering that the accused was a first-time offender, the judge converted his judicial custody to his prison term.
Court complaint against multinational for trade in Shahtoosh shawls
Wildlife Crime Control Bureay has filed a court complaint against a Delhi-based MNC engaged in trade of handicrafts and other heritage items across the world, for attempting to export the banned Shahtoosh shawls thirteen years ago.
The Customs officials had seized at least 13 shawls from the Indira Gandhi International Airport on November 11, 1996, from the consignments booked by Cottage Industries Exposition (CIE) for UK. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) had filed a complaint here in the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Dig Vinay last week following conclusion of adjudication of a matter by Customs department.
On April 12 this year, Additional Commissioner, Customs, Delhi, passed an order against CIE imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh for attempting to export shahtoosh, and an additional Rs 1 lakh as redemption fine.
Shahtoosh is a specific kind of shawl woven with the hair of the endangered Chiru or Tibetan Antelope. Selling or purchasing Shahtoosh was made illegal in all countries that signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 1975.
Friday, March 19, 2010
WCCB bags Clark R Bavin Award, 2010
The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) in the Ministry of Environment and Forests has been awarded the prestigious Clark R Bavin Award, 2010 for the exemplary enforcement action and prioritizing wildlife crime in the Ministry and other enforcement agencies. The award is presented to persons who have demonstrated their commitment to fighting wildlife crime and to protect species of wildlife listed in the Appendices of the Convention through the strict enforcement of national and international laws. It is issued by the Species Survival Network (SSN), an international coalition of over 80 non-governmental organizations, including Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), a non-governmental organization based in the United States of America. The awards, named after a former chief of the law enforcement division of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have traditionally been presented by the Secretary-General of CITES during meetings of the Conference of the Parties. This year a large number of nominations were received this year from a number of countries and organizations for individuals and agencies.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Looking into Kat's Eye
Though still awaiting for the hard copy of it, I got the second issue of Kat's Eye today. The cover photograph of a sitting majestic tiger taken by Sanjay Kumar is simply awesome. I think it is one of the best photographs of Dudhwa Tigers ever taken, because getting such pose of tigers in terai is a rarity. It seldom happens; once in a while. I believe tiger sighting is comparatively difficult in UP terai due to thick foliage and tall wet grasslands. Terai is altogether a different landscape, one of the highly ecological productive ecosystem; in a mosaic form of wetlands-grasslands and woodlands. I remember Amit Misra has also taken some of the wonderful photographs of tigers of Dudhwa-Katerniaghat landscape.
The maturity and growth of Kat's Eye in this issue is very encouraging. And it has only become possible due to invaluable experience sharing by contributors like G. C. Misra and Romulus Whittaker. The article on elephants of Dudhwa is again an unusual narration by Sanjay Kumar. I am happy to see the article of B N Singh, Range Officer, on notable birds of Katerniaghat. It is a fact that field foresters are very poor in documentation but he has proved it wrong with his impeccable observations which will certainly encourage field foresters to document their experiences for this magazine.
The other features of news letter including efforts of KGF on Gyps vulture conservation, field activities, survey undertaken, seminar organised has made the issue readable. Kudos for KGF team.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Dry wetland day
The world wetland day just passed yesterday. Silently. As variety of migratory birds fly back home being unnoticed at the end of winters. It seems that we are loosing somehow real and genuine concern for our natural resources and their immense traditional conversational values. Somehow it is being felt, in general, that apathy for wildlife is increasing in the society day by day and an unprecedented antagonistic approach has slowly and slowly crept in the mindset of the people affected with the forests and their inhabitants.
Everyday wetlands are dying or being killed. Most of the remainings are in pathetic conditions. They are forced to be killed; reasons are known to everyone. Atleast the concern for them was alive but that too has started diminishing.
What to do now?
I would mention Mohmaad Ahsan Sahib's post on Face Book specially written for wetland day, which very truely colours this entire picture.
teri jhiilaiN hon ya mere pokhar / pareshaaN sab ke sab daur e haazir meiN Photo: Suresh Chaudhary (Katerniaghat)-2006 Winters.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
End of an era
The late night of the first day of new year 2010 arrived with an untimely sad news. One of our friend from Lakhimpur informed on phone that 'Billy is no more'. It was really unexpected to hear something of this sort. It was a great loss. The first thought which came in my mind was that 'an era ends with Billy's demise, no one of his clone is now left in this country'. And his demise is an irreparable loss for Dudhwa and terai of Uttar Pradesh.Billy was a legend in the field wildlife conservation. His zeal and passion for the tigers even in this age was simply unmatched. Billy was 94 and was ailing for quite some time. He use to live mostly in Tiger Haven near Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Palia, Lakhimpur-Kheri.
Though there had been differences amongst the field wildlifers and conservationists regarding his way of rearing and preserving big cats in the past, but no one could deny his unbound support for the protection and conservation of tigers in terai and also his initial contribution in making of Dudhwa National Park.
I was fortunate enough to have interactions with him in last few years, particularly when I was posted in Pilibhit, Katerniaghat and Dudhwa (additional charge for one month). I met him many a times along with Mr. Naseem during my Dudhwa visits. I could always notice a spark in his eyes with any good news relating to tigers of terai; either it was breeding tigresses and tiger cubs in Katerniaghat or recovery of tiger population in Pilibhit or busting of any organised poachers gang in terai. He was always keen to know what is happening in the jungles of Terai particularly in Dudhwa. He used to have his own intelligence both on the health of the jungles and efforts of the park officials. He used to be very critical many a times particularly to after tiger death incidents.
He always felt very happy when some one met him to know about his views on tiger conservation and needs of hour in this field. Though he was unable to recall many of the past incidents coherently but his heart and mind were always rightly placed both for the tigers and terai conservation. We will certainly miss him.
He was a great admirer of tigers and terai; which I liked very much.
Billy!! Bid Adieu..
Photo: Billy narrating old stories and incidents (January 2006, Tiger Haven).
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