Dear First name / friend,

 

November has been a month of reflection and celebration at CWS. This month, we had the honor of hosting Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler and her senior leadership team at a special dinner, commemorating our longstanding partnership with the National Geographic Society. 

 

In this edition of Into the Wild, we share stories from the field, showcase recent publications, and highlight the collective efforts of our teams and supporters driving impactful change. 

On November 21st 2024, CWS hosted a special dinner to celebrate our decades-long partnership with the National Geographic Society. We were honored to welcome Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society, along with her senior leadership team from Washington, D.C.

 

The evening marked 40 years of CWS’s dedication to conserving India’s wildlife and wild lands. Surrounded by old friends, familiar faces, and steadfast supporters, the event was a memorable gathering filled with insightful conversations and meaningful connections.

Simran Prasad, Doctoral Fellow at CWS, wins first place for the Alwyn Gentry Award, in the ‘Best Poster’ category at the 60th Annual Meeting of The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation held in Kigali, Rwanda in July 2024. Her poster on “An elephantine problem in the Nilgiris: Examining household wealth inequities and community attitudes towards elephants” was well received. Along with a cash prize, Simran’s abstract will be published in BioTropica and her biography featured on their website. To know more, click here.

The State Board for Wildlife plays an important role in the protection of our environment and in wildlife conservation. Intended to provide expert environmental advice to the government, the board needs knowledgeable professionals in the field. In an article in Vijaya Karnataka, a Kannada newspaper circulated across multiple cities in Karnataka with a readership of over 81 lakh, Dr. K. Ullas Karanth highlights a trend over the last decade where board memberships have increasingly become a status symbol. To read full article click here.

In an article published in Amar Ujala, a Hindi-daily newspaper circulated across 7 states with a readership of over 5 crore, Kavya Pandey, Doctoral Fellow at CWS, talks about her research on women's participation and leadership in the Van Panchayats of Kumaon, Uttarakhand. Her study delves into the crucial role women play in forest governance and the challenges they face in these community-led institutions. To read the full article, click here.

On 9th November 2024, Dr. K. Ullas Karanth was invited to give a talk at Bangalore International Centre as part of their ‘Krishna to Kaveri’ Festival. Titled, ‘Malenad: Bringing Big Cats Back from the Brink’, Dr. Karanth talked about his boyhood fascination for the tiger culture of Malenad and his subsequent engagement of six decades to scientifically understand the ecology of tigers to assist their recovery from the verge of extinction. To watch a recording, click here.

On 28th November 2024, Dr. Kaberi Kar Gupta gave a public lecture that explored the role of slender loris in preserving Bangalore’s urban jungle. Attended by over 60 people both online and in-person, Dr. Gupta spoke about the work she does with the Urban Slender Loris Project. Her research has given us crucial insights into behaviour of endangered lorises in the Western Ghats.

On 22nd November 2024, CWS was invited to participate at the 'Namma Kaalinga - The Pride of Karnataka' event held at IISC, Bengaluru. The event celebrated the discovery of four king cobra species and featured various highlights including a documentary premiere and panel discussions on conservation.

 

Our stall featured interactive art activities, books and more - allowing participants to learn more about the programs at CWS through different mediums. The event enabled conversations for collaborations across conservation organisations in Karnataka and allowed us to introduce more people to the work we do at CWS.

“Once, the evenings in Darjeeling were filled with a symphony of sounds—the dense mist, the sharp whistle of the iconic toy train, and the eerie howls of Golden jackals echoing through the hills. These moments captured the essence of the town, where nature and human life intertwined in harmony. But in recent years, the haunting cries of the jackals have become a rare occurrence, and sightings of the animals have dwindled. Locals speculate on the reasons: habitat loss, changing urban landscapes, or disruptions in the local food chain.

 

Amidst this decline, however, there is a surprising story of survival. In a small, urban corner of Darjeeling, a small pack of Golden jackals has found an unlikely refuge. Here, they navigate the urban sprawl, clinging to life with the help of an elderly woman who feeds them every evening. Her quiet act of compassion has become a lifeline for the dwindling population, offering a flicker of hope for these creatures in a rapidly transforming world. This poignant intersection of wildlife and urban growth raises important questions about coexistence and the resilience of nature in the face of human expansion.”

 

- Shreya Ray, Doctoral Fellow

"During a nature walk at GHPS Nellikaru School, I noticed one girl wandering while her classmates eagerly searched for arthropods, birds, and mammals. Curious, I asked, “Why are you roaming around and not looking for animals like the others?”

With quiet confidence, she replied, “I am searching for reptiles because I like them.” Then, to my surprise, she gently took my hand and led me to a spot where she had found a reptile.

 

Her focus and passion for reptiles left a lasting impression on me. It was a powerful reminder that children engage with nature in their own unique ways, often surprising us with their determination and insight. Moments like these inspire me to keep nurturing their curiosity through Wild Shaale, knowing the future of conservation is in good hands."

 

- Vasanthalakshmi MS, Wild Shaale Educator

Karanth KK, Ranganathan P. 2018. Assessing Human-Wildlife Interactions in a Forest Settlement in Sathyamangalam and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves. Tropical Conservation Science. 11: doi:10.1177/1940082918802758

 

Living alongside majestic wildlife sounds idyllic, but for one Indian village nestled within tiger territory, it's a complex reality. Families face crop raids and livestock losses, testing the limits of coexistence. Yet, their deep connection to the land keeps them rooted. Finding a balance between human needs and wildlife conservation is crucial. How can we create a future where both thrive? To read more, click here.

Karanth KK, Gopalaswamy AM, DeFries R, Ballal N. 2012. Assessing Patterns of Human-Wildlife Conflicts and Compensation around a Central Indian Protected Area. PLoS ONE 7: e50433. 

 

In the area surrounding Kanha Tiger Reserve, local communities are faced with crop loss and livestock predation from wildlife. A study conducted by a team of scientists from the Centre for Wildlife Studies determines the key factors that drive these conflicts. The research highlights the need for adaptive strategies that address conflict patterns over time and across different landscapes. Balancing conservation with community needs is essential for long-term coexistence. To read more, click here.

This Thanksgiving, we launched the Project LiON fundraiser to protect the endangered lion-tailed macaque and its rainforest habitat in the Western Ghats. Led by Dr. Swapna Nelaballi, Principal Scientist and Faculty, this initiative aims to establish a long-term monitoring program using ecological methods and AI-enabled technology to study their behavior, health, and environment. By supporting this project, you contribute not only to the survival of this unique species but also to the protection of the delicate rainforest ecosystem they inhabit. To know more or contribute, click here.

As we wrap up November, we hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of Into the Wild. Our commitment to conservation inspires everything we do, and we hope it resonates with you as well. Here is to a wonderful December filled with joy and inspiration!