Dear First name / friend,

 

As global priorities shift, civil society organizations like us are facing new and unprecedented challenges. Our tiger conservation and elephant research programs are directly impacted by recent international grant restrictions.

 

At present, we are urgently focused on finding ways to keep our programs going and supporting our field staff. We are requesting your support for our Elephant Program. For the past three years, this program has focused on the Southern Nilgiris, conducting crucial research on elephant movement, habitat use, and human-elephant conflict to protect elephants and local people. Our Elephant Program's future now hangs in the balance.

 

Without your immediate support, years of on-ground conservation work and key research will be lost, threatening not just elephants but the entire ecosystems they help sustain. At this critical crossroad, we want your help in raising ₹45,00,000 to secure the future of this program and its crucial work. To donate, click here.

For three years, our Elephant Program has worked in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a critical habitat for Asian elephants, conducting ecological field surveys, study individual elephants and map elephant movement, and understand human-elephant conflict. Our research informs and aids local conservation efforts while empowering people to coexist safely with elephants and other wildlife. Now, this long term program is at risk. We urgently need to raise ₹45,00,000 to continue to protect elephants, preserve key elephant habitats and corridors, and mitigate intense human-elephant conflict. Your donation will make a direct impact in ensuring our long term elephant research and conservation work continues. Click here to donate today.

We our excited to share our latest publication, ‘Charting risk pathways of leopard attacks on people: A decision tree approach’, in Human Dimensions of Wildlife on 7th January 2025.

 

This study, led by Shweta Shivakumar as part of her doctoral research at the Centre the Wildlife Studies and Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India, sheds light on the intricate dynamics of human-leopard conflict in Himachal Pradesh, highlighting the tangible and intangible impacts of these interactions. Co-authors of the study include, Dr. Vidya Athreya, Wildlife Conservation Society- India; Nikita Yardi, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India; Dr. Morten Odden, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway; Sat Pal Dhiman, Government of Himachal Pradesh; and Dr. Krithi K. Karanth, Centre for Wildlife Studies, and Duke University. To read, click here.

Benjamin joined us as Project Coordinator in 2024. His love for wildlife began in his childhood, growing up with pets and spending hours observing birds and monkeys in his neighborhood. Later, while working at a rescue centre, he spent days observing wild animals, learning from them, and witnessing the harsh realities they faced. Many were injured by cars, poisoned to keep them away from homes, or trapped with bait. This grew his passion further and inspired him to join us at CWS. Beyond his professional endeavors, Benjamin is a passionate sports enthusiast who enjoys playing cricket, football, and other sports except board games. He also dabbles in playing the drums, adding a creative outlet to his interests.

We are excited to share that Dr. Krithi K. Karanth has been recognised as one of illuminem's 'Top 10 Most-Read Thought Leaders of 2024 in Nature', out of over 1500 authors. Illuminem is the world's largest expert network in sustainability with over 500,000 readers. To know more, click here. To read Dr. Karanth's most read thought piece, click here.

An article published in BBC on 16th January 2025, quotes Dr. K. Ullas Karanth, where he talks about the need for science-driven management of tiger populations to ensure sustainable conservation. Highlighting habitat and prey limitations, he stresses the importance of balancing rising tiger numbers with human-wildlife coexistence, cautioning against unchecked growth without addressing ground-level realities. To read the article, click here.

An article published in The Hindu talks about a new study that highlights intricate dynamics of human-leopard conflict in Himachal Pradesh, led by Shweta Shivakumar as part of her doctoral research at the Centre the Wildlife Studies and Manipal Academy of Higher Education. To read the article, click here.

Muthanna PM, Associate Director, Field Conservation, at CWS, has authored an article titled 'ನವಶ್ರೀಮಂತರ ನಾಲಿಗೆ ರುಚಿ ಹುಟ್ಟು ಹಾಕಿರುವ ತಲ್ಲಣ' in Prathindhi on 31st December, 2024. Discussing the rise of organized poaching in certain regions, especially Gaur, he writes about the demand for animal products as status symbols and how it affects conservation efforts in India. To read the full article, click here.

Authored by Shashank Dalvi, Doctoral Fellow at CWS, and Anita Mani, The Search for India’s Rarest Birds gets featured in Scroll! Dive into the adventures of Dr. Ravi Sankaran and K. Sivakumar’s groundbreaking work on the Nicobar Megapode in the featured excerpt here. To read the article, click here.

On 21st January 2025, Kaustubh Srikanth, Senior Program Manager and Mohamed Saheem, Project Coordinator, CWS, participated in the Namma School Namma Ooru Palli (NSNOP) Regional Conclave in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. The event brought together government officials, educators, NGOs, and industry leaders to discuss strategies for enhancing education and infrastructure in government schools.

 

At the conclave, the Wild Shaale Program was introduced to key stakeholders, including CSR representatives from Yamaha, United Way Chennai, and Ashok Leyland. The event fostered meaningful discussions on academic updates, potential funding opportunities, and collaborations with inspiring organizations like Bhumi and SWOTT. We are excited about the connections made and the possibilities ahead for advancing environmental education and conservation!

On 7th January 2025, Dr. Sruthi Unnikrishnan, Doctoral Program Manager at CWS, was invited to deliver a talk at the national conference on 'Pollinators for Food Security', organized by the Indian Pollinator Initiative and the Department of Zoology at the Central University of Kerala, Kasargod. Her talk titled 'Evolution of Accelerated Behavioural Maturation in Open- and Cavity-Nesting Honey Bees', shared insights into her postdoctoral work at NCBS, exploring the differences in behavioural maturation processes between two tropical Asian honey bee species. The talk was well received, making for an enriching exchange of ideas on the role of pollinators in sustainable food security.

Nagachandan Honnur, Senior Program Manager, attended the Understanding Social Impact Workshop by ILSS at BIC, Bangalore, held on 18th January 2025. Leaders from corporate and social sectors explored strategies for driving meaningful change at the workshop. The workshop also introduced ILSS’s flagship programs and featured insights from experts across impact-driven fields, covering topics from livelihoods and urban planning to energy efficiency and social finance. Engaging discussions on leadership, sector transitions, and collaborative action made this a valuable platform for changemakers.

CWS was proud to participate in the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025. Every mile ran supported efforts to restore habitats, resolve human-wildlife conflicts, and protect endangered species. You can still join us on this journey! Your support makes a difference whether you ran for us or continue to cheer from the sidelines. Donate, amplify, and help us create a future where wildlife thrives. Let’s take this step together for conservation! Click here to support us.

 

In a small village in Almora, 14-year-old Gudiya sits near the fire, cooking a delicious meal of jholi-bhaat, a local kumauni dish. With a shy smile, she says,"दीदी, मम्मी जंगल जाती थीं और मैं घर संभालती थी। मम्मी कहती हैं कि मुझे सब कुछ ठीक से सीखना चाहिए क्योंकि एक दिन ससुराल में इसकी जरूरत पड़ेगी"

 

"Didi, mummy used to go to the jungle, and I would take care of the house. She says I must learn everything properly because I’ll need it in my in-laws' house someday."

 

Gudiya started managing the household when she was just seven years old. Cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her siblings became her daily routine while her mother worked in the forest. Instead of focusing on education or exploring her own dreams, Gudiya was taught to prepare for marriage and her future responsibilities as a wife.

 

Her story is common in the mountains of Uttarakhand, where girls are often expected to focus on household chores from a young age. Traditions and societal expectations limit their opportunities for education and personal growth, keeping them tied to traditional gender roles.

 

As Gudiya serves her perfectly cooked meal, her skills and dedication shine. But her story also makes us wonder—what would her life look like if she had the chance to dream beyond the kitchen?

                                        

- Kavya Pandey, Doctoral Fellow

Madarajappa, a farmer from Thelagumasahalli village in Sargur Taluk, makes his livelihood cultivating maize, ragi, and cotton. Like many farmers living near Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve, he faces the constant challenge of crop and livestock loss due to wildlife movement from the nearby forest.

 

One afternoon, while Madarajappa was working on his cotton field—bordering the forest trench—a tiger emerged from the woods and attacked his cow, killing it instantly. Heartbroken by the loss, he immediately reached out to the Wild Seve team for assistance.

 

Led by Mr. Somesh, the Wild Seve team arrived promptly at the site, accompanied by officials from the Karnataka Forest Department. They assessed the situation and guided Madarajappa through the process of filing a compensation claim for his loss. Thanks to their swift intervention, he was able to receive financial relief, easing the burden of losing his livestock.

 

Madarajappa expressed deep gratitude for Wild Seve’s timely support, which reinforced the importance of coexistence between local communities and wildlife. Stories like his highlight the critical role of conservation initiatives in fostering harmony between people and nature, ensuring that those living on the frontlines of conservation are not left behind. To know more about Wild Seve, click here.

Karanth, K. U. (1992). Conservation prospects for lion-tailed macaques in Karnataka, India. Zoo Biology, 11(1), 33–41.

 

Can we save the lion-tailed macaque? Karnataka's rainforests hold the key! Discover how natural conservation strategies are ensuring a brighter future for these rare primates and their ecosystem. To read more, click here.

Dhawale, A. K., & Sinha, A. (2024). Twinning in wild, endangered lion-tailed macaques Macaca silenus in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats, India. Primates, 1-6.

 

Did you know that lion-tailed macaque twins rarely survive in the wild? But two pairs of twins in the Western Ghats have defied the odds! Discover how maternal care, ecological shifts, and conservation efforts have made this rare survival story possible. To read more, click here.

As we enter 2025, CWS faces one of its most challenging moments yet, with the future of our Elephant Program hanging in the balance. We are unwavering, in our commitment to long term wildlife conservation and research in India, but without immediate support, we risk losing years of crucial work.

 

This edition of Into the Wild highlights the urgent work that lies ahead, and we need your support to keep our mission alive. Your donation today is essential as we need to raise ₹45,00,000 to ensure that this vital program can carry on protecting elephants and their habitats.