Dear First name / friend,

 

As we stepped into May with World Migratory Bird Day, the month marked the beginning of a pivotal time for many birds, as they embark thousands of kilometres across continents. These arduous journeys are a testament to the importance of protected habitats, that act as vital sanctuaries for these birds to survive.

 

May was also a special month for us, as we celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity. The month ended with our third annual conservation offsite in H.D. Kote, that saw conservation teams from the Eastern and Western Ghats come together to celebrate 40 years of CWS. We are excited to see what lies in store for us over the coming months!

 

Explore this edition of Into the Wild with us, as we share important updates, noteworthy moments and inspiring stories from our frontline researchers and conservationists.

 

As CWS turns 40 in 2024, the organisation has grown to a 93 member team carrying out groundbreaking scientific research, and impactful conservation efforts. To sustain these efforts, CWS organised a 3-day Offsite in H.D. Kote from 27th to 30th May 2024, that brought together 50 members from conservation teams across the Western and Eastern Ghats. 

 

As the organisation grows, it becomes increasingly important for our conservation teams to come together at least once a year. This offsite proved instrumental in fostering mutual understanding of each other's personal journeys, while also aligning them with the overarching vision and mission of the organisation. Through multiple sessions on team-building, leadership, diversity, inclusion and more, this offsite helped the bonds between people and teams grow even stronger than before.

 

To know more about the conservation work we do at CWS, click here.

 

Our CEO Dr. Krithi K. Karanth, was invited to be part of the XPRIZE Brain Trust, by Dr. Peter Houlihan, Executive Vice President, Biodiversity & Conservation at XPRIZE. She visited the Smithsonian Institution’s long-term tropical field station in Bocas del Toro, Panama, from 12 to 17 May 2024, to help ideate and design the next Biodiversity and Conservation XPRIZE.

 

The Brain Trust is a group of world-renowned innovators, thought leaders, industry experts, and entrepreneurs that together shape the design of what could become the next revolutionary moonshot prize competitions in the Grand Challenge Domain of Biodiversity & Conservation. 

 

For more information about the Biodiversity and Conservation XPRIZE, click here.

Anish Banerjee from The Think Wildlife Podcast interviews prominent conservationists and ecologists from around the world about their work. On Episode 56 of the podcast, Anish interviews Dr. Vikram Aditya, Principal Scientist, Centre for Wildlife Studies, about his extensive work on the conservation of mammals in the Eastern Ghats.

 

As one of the most biodiverse regions in India, the Eastern Ghats are vulnerable to rapid land cover change, habitat loss, hunting, and illegal wildlife trade. He talks about his initial interest in studying small mammals that led to his work about the impact of habitat loss and degradation on both small and large mammals during his PhD. Originally from Hyderabad, Dr. Vikram Aditya talks about why he chooses to work in the Eastern Ghats, his ambition for the Wildlife Hunting and Trade Program at CWS and our long term goal and vision.

 

To listen to the full interview, click here. To know more about the work CWS does on Wildlife Hunting and Trade, click here.

The Wild Surakshe - Public Health and Safety Program, in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), conducted 'Train the Trainers' workshops. In line with the National Education Policy (2020), the Government of Andhra Pradesh has introduced a mandatory two-month internship program called the "Community Service Program (CSP)" for undergraduate students attending State Universities and affiliated colleges. The main aim of this initiative is to instill a sense of social responsibility and empathy among students. Through this program, students are given their first opportunity to actively participate in community development activities, which enhances their learning experience beyond the classroom.  

 

The program consists of three phases: Training, On-ground Implementation, and Reporting. The training phase, a three-day program conducted at Aditya Degree College, Rajamahendravaram, AP, was successfully completed. During this phase, students were trained to conduct the Wild Surakshe workshops, which they will conduct in their communities during the second phase.

“In the Barekuri cluster of villages in Upper Assam that houses 18 Western hoolock gibbons, one family was getting ready to welcome a new member. Rongi, the seven-month pregnant female, was now cautious in her movements, not taking large leaps like she used to. She spent longer bouts of time resting - reclining with her hands behind her head, at times indistinguishable from a human being. During this period, Kaliya, her mate, kept Twik, their energetic 2-year-10-month-old son, engaged with acrobatic play and arboreal life lessons. On the day the baby gibbon arrived, we located the family tucked away atop a bamboo thicket. As Rongi cleaned her brand-new, shiny, white-coloured baby, Kaliya was keeping their insatiably-curious toddler, Twik occupied. The new arrival was only a few inches high, with her umbilical cord still dangling from her. Rongi glanced down at us briefly with tired eyes, and having recognised us as the two harmless researchers who seem to enjoy keeping them company, nonchalantly turned back to her baby and licked her clean. My team member, Ms. Luja Guju, and I watched in awe as Rongi gracefully cared for this ray of hope up in the trees, swinging dramatically through the branches just moments after having given birth, and taking stolen moments of silence to rest. To have been trusted enough by a gibbon to have a window into this rare and incredible event, was one of the most humbling life experiences we've shared.”

 

- Ishika Ramakrishna, Doctoral Fellow

Kandhavadivel resides in the lush green village Valayapalayam, in Udumalpet Taluk of Udumalpet wildlife range. Valayapalayam Village falls within the Anamalai National Park and Tiger Reserve limits. While his main source of income is cultivating coconut, there is one major problem that plagues the farmers in the region - the frequent intrusion of elephants from the nearby forest.

These elephants often wander into the farmlands in search of food, causing significant damage to the crops. He has experienced several crop losses due to these gentle giants.

 

Despite the challenges, Kandhavadivel has a deep respect for nature and wildlife. He understands that the elephants are simply following their natural instincts and seeking sustenance. He doesn't bear any ill will towards them, but he could not ignore the impact they had on his livelihood.

 

"The Wild Seve team and the Tamil Nadu forest department have provided invaluable assistance in claiming compensation, easing the burden of  loss. Their swift response and support restored hope in the delicate balance between wildlife and our community. I am grateful for their dedication to fostering harmony amidst adversity, and together, we strive for a safer coexistence between humans and nature.", says Kandhavadivel.

Unlocking secrets of the Indian Chevrotain! Researchers delve into habitat mysteries using pellet groups & spatial replicates. Key findings reveal their preference for areas with hiding spots and dense understory providing conservation insights for these small ungulate species. To read more click here.

Explore the core of Bhadra Tiger Reserve with revolutionary wildlife research. Uncover a creative approach using signs to tally and protect Asian forest animals. Whether it's dung or tracks, this transformative method in wildlife conservation ensures a more promising future for our magnificent creatures. To read more, click here.

Climate change and anthropogenic activities such as agricultural expansion, tourism, infrastructure development have put pressure on wildlife and wildlife habitats. Consequently, many species are under threat of extinction. Human-wildlife conflicts, a global concern, recognised by the UN’s post-2020 global biodiversity framework, are on the rise. The media plays a significant role in creating awareness on wildlife conservation issues. However, mainstream media rarely cover these issues. This webinar highlighted two media professionals who have been writing on conservation issues, policy and law and simplifying it for the public. Through sharing their stories and insights on reporting and writing about wildlife conservation, we aimed to illuminate their contributions, and inspire others to follow suit.

We saw a captivating discussion with Megha Moorthy, Editor-in-chief, Roundglass Sustain and Rishika Pardikar, Independent Journalist, who shared their insights on the nuances of writing about wildlife conservation. To watch a recording of the webinar, click here.

As we conclude an enthralling month, we hope you enjoyed reading this latest edition of Into the Wild, and that you are just as inspired as we are in our mission to protect India's wildlife and wildlands! We wish you a joyful and vibrant June ahead!