Dear First name / friend,

 

September at CWS was a month of learning, growth, and remembrance.

 

We began the month at the International Wildlife Congress 2025, where we joined global conversations on biodiversity and conservation action. Our senior leadership also engaged with thought leaders at the Ananta Aspen Ideas Festival 2025. The team explored the power of spatial data at Geo for Good 2025, and connected with young changemakers at the beVisioneers Regional Summit. We also had a strong presence at the Student Conference on Conservation Science (SCCS), where emerging ideas and collaborations took root. Within our own team, we took time for the Manager Wellbeing Learning Series, an important pause to reflect on leadership, care, and connection in our work.

 

In this edition of Into the Wild, we share highlights from the field and reflect on how science, storytelling, and solidarity continue to drive our mission forward.

We are excited to share our latest publication, 'Stories of coexistence: A narrative inquiry of leopard attacks on people,' published in People and Nature on 3rd September 2025. The study was led by Dr. Shweta Shivakumar (Centre for Wildlife Studies and Manipal Academy of Higher Education), along with co-authors Dr. Mireille Gonzalez (Colorado State University), Dr. Vidya Athreya (Wildlife Conservation Society–India), and Dr. Krithi K. Karanth (Centre for Wildlife Studies and Duke University).

 

This study analyses 89 firsthand narratives of leopard attacks on people in Himachal Pradesh, collected over an 11-year period (2004–2015) during which 356 people were attacked. Findings show a shift from tolerance towards increasing tension, highlighting the need for awareness campaigns and protective tools, while also demonstrating how narrative inquiry can guide culturally grounded conservation interventions. To read more, click here.

We are delighted to share that on September 17th, 2025, Dr. Krithi K. Karanth, CEO, and Nagachandan Honnur, Senior Program Manager - Wild Seve, were featured in an in-depth story by The Better India. The article highlights Dr. Karanth’s recognition as a 2025 McNulty Prize winner and showcases CWS’ pioneering efforts to mitigate human–wildlife conflict.

 

It explores the impact of programs like Wild Seve, which has helped thousands of farmers access ex-gratia compensation from the government for crop and property losses, and Wild Shaale, which has engaged close to 70,000 school children with conservation education. Through compelling field experiences, Nagachandan also reflects on how timely support is helping forest-fringe communities, such as those in Bandipur, build resilience and move toward peaceful coexistence with wildlife. To read more, click here.

An article published by The New Indian Express on 13th September 2025, discusses Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydro Electricity Project at Linganamakki in Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada, the largest pumped storage project in the country by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL). They state that there will be limited damage to the Sharavathi river and the wildlife surrounding the valley, but Dr. Amit Hegde, Senior Research Fellow at CWS, raised concerns about the unique habitats surrounding the area, suggesting that the authorities prioritise the long-term conservation of the endemic species present in the Sharavati Valley.

To read the full article, click here.

 

Dr. Krithi K. Karanth, CEO, delivered one of two keynote addresses at the International Wildlife Congress held in Lillehammer, Norway, from September 1–4, 2025. Her talk, “Living with Wildlife”, received an outstanding response for sparking timely conversations on coexistence and conservation.

 

The congress brought together over 500 scientists and featured thought-provoking sessions by international conservation leaders such as Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Dr. Matthew Kauffman, Professor Rolf A. Ims, Dr. Carolyn Hogg amongst many others, interactive workshops on advancing wildlife monitoring technologies, reframing coexistence communication, and hierarchical modelling of species distributions, along with multiple plenary talks and panel discussions.

Dr. Krithi K. Karanth, CEO, participated in a dynamic conversation at the Aspen Ananta Ideas India 2025 festival alongside Vikram Vaidyanathan, Managing Trustee at CWS. Moderated by Aditya Natraj, CEO of Piramal Foundation, the session explored the inspiring journey of “refounding” the Centre for Wildlife Studies and its recognition with the prestigious McNulty Prize.

From September 16 to 18, Dhanush Dev and Jeremiah Kennedy participated in the 'beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship Regional Summit' held at Royal Orchid, Bengaluru. The summit centered around co-creation, collaboration, and building trust across a global fellowship community. Throughout the three days, participants had space to exchange fresh perspectives with fellows from diverse backgrounds, deepen their networks, and engage directly with industry leaders and founders about how to grow and support high-impact, sustainability-driven ideas.

From 22nd to 25th September 2025, the Students Conference for Conservation Science was held in Bangalore, featuring a dynamic lineup of talks and workshops by several CWS staff members. Sikha Hariharan, doctoral fellow at CWS, along with Sambita Modak, conducted a Nature Journaling Workshop. Ishika Ramakrishna, also a doctoral fellow at CWS, delivered a talk titled Animal Behaviour and Its Role in Conservation, alongside Devica Ranade, Nishant Srinivasaiah, and Samira Agnihotri.

 

Dr. Swapna Nelaballi, Principal Scientist at CWS, led an engaging workshop titled Data Detox in R – Clean, Wrangle, and Transform Your Ecological Data. Additionally, Jeremiah Kennedy, Program Manager – Media and Outreach, together with Shruti Ghosh, Senior Project Coordinator – Media and Outreach, facilitated a workshop titled Can Storytelling Be a Specific Tool for Conservation Impact?. Dr. Sruthi Unnikrishnan, Doctoral Program Manager and Postdoctoral Fellow at CWS, also served as a judge for Session 2 of the student talks on the morning of 24th September. Ketaki Watve, Media & Outreach Fellow, was selected to showcase her work in the Artist’s Corner.

 

CWS hosted a stall throughout the four-day event, featuring books and merchandise and engaging attendees in conversations about our work. Overall, the conference provided a vibrant platform for knowledge-sharing, skill-building, and raising awareness about CWS’s conservation efforts.

Dr. Narendran Kodandapani, Principal Scientist at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, delivered a lecture at the Geo for Good Summit in Singapore held from 8th-11th September 2025. His talk, titled “Changing fire patterns in wildlife reserves of southern India: Trends, drivers, and conservation implications”, was part of the session “From Pixels to Protection: Mapping Nature’s Present and Future.” 

On 26th August and 5th September 2025, Kaustubh Srikanth, Senior Program Manager - Wild Shaale, conducted interactive employee engagement sessions with KCT Group Trust. The sessions, which highlighted the importance of conserving endangered species, consisted of engaging quizzes and group activities. The program was a meaningful blend of learning, collaboration, and fun, reaffirming the importance of awareness as a vital step toward conservation.

CWS recently launched the Manager Learning Series: Supporting People Leaders in Remote and Field-Based Teams with a dedicated wellbeing session facilitated by Ms. Ganga Nair from The Listeners Collective. Seventeen colleagues, including both experienced and newly appointed team leaders, participated in the first session. Dr. Krithi K. Karanth, CEO of CWS, joined the group, highlighting the importance of nurturing leadership alongside personal wellbeing.

 

The session introduced participants to the Personal Leadership Map, guiding reflections on emotional awareness, having courageous conversations, balancing compassion with accountability, and caring for oneself as a leader. This inaugural session set the tone for the series, equipping CWS leaders to grow in their roles while fostering a supportive and resilient team culture.

'During my traineeship at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, USA, I was monitoring spring raptor migration from the North Lookout on what seemed like a very quiet day. Hours slipped by with only a handful of raptors crossing the ridge, and the stillness of the sky made every glance through the binoculars feel heavy with anticipation. After four hours, our tally of migrants had barely crossed single digits. Then, a sharp call broke the monotony. An Osprey appeared from the left, a fish clutched firmly in its talons.Almost instantly, a Bald Eagle emerged, cutting across the sky with commanding wings. What followed was a scene of raw opportunism: the eagle launched into a mid-air pursuit, attempting to steal the fish from the Osprey’s grasp. The Osprey twisted and powered forward, its slender body built for speed and agility, while the eagle pressed close, relying on sheer size and presence.

The exchange lasted only moments, but it revealed much. The concept of “Kleptoparasitism,” that is, stealing prey from another. It played out in real time, driven perhaps by the urgency of Bald Eagles’ nestlings waiting nearby. The size contrast between the two raptors was striking; the eagle’s dominance was challenged by the Osprey’s persistence.

What began as a slow migration watch turned into a vivid reminder of the drama in the skies, where survival often hangs on seizing opportunity.'

 

-Aishwarya Laghate, Doctoral Fellow

On the evening of August 26th 2025, Naveen Kumar, a farmer living near Nagarahole National Park in Karnataka, tied his cow in his agricultural field where he grows banana plantations. While he and his family were away at a nearby temple, another farmer noticed the body of the cow, half of which had already been consumed by a leopard, and immediately informed Naveen Kumar. He rushed back with his family, deeply distressed by the loss of the livestock central to their livelihood.The same day our Field Assistant Somesh G.M visited the site, collected the necessary documents, and helped filed a compensation claim with the government on the family’s behalf. Naveen Kumar and his family expressed both their concern and their gratitude for the support and timely assistance.

 

This marks Wild Seve’s 30,000th ex-gratia governmental claim filed, made on behalf of more than 14,000 families and individuals since the program began in 2015. From starting in just two wildlife reserves in Karnataka, Wild Seve has expanded to serve communities across 23 wildlife reserves in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Goa.As we recognize this milestone, we are deeply grateful to our dedicated field teams and to supporters like you, who make it possible for Wild Seve to continue being a lifeline for thousands of families living alongside wildlife.

Shivakumar, S., Gonzalez, M., Athreya, V., & Karanth, K. K. (2025). Stories of coexistence: A narrative inquiry of leopard attacks on people. People and Nature

 

Leopards and people share the same landscapes in Himachal Pradesh, but what happens when leopards attack people?We listened to 89 attack-experiencers who shared their powerful stories of attack, survival, and resilience. Their voices reveal shifting attitudes, local deterrent methods, and the urgent need for culturally sensitive conservation. By centring community narratives, we can design coexistence strategies that are practical, ethical, and rooted in lived realities. To read the blog, click here.

We deeply mourn the passing of Sri S. Parameshwarappa, a courageous leader, principled mentor, and steadfast champion of forests and wildlife. Over four decades, his integrity, conviction, and support for both science and culture left an indelible mark on conservation in India. His life and work will continue to inspire all of us at CWS and the broader conservation community.

It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of our colleague, Aravind Kumar P., from the Wild Shaale team. Aravind was a valued and dedicated member of CWS. His commitment, warmth, and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of working with him. He will be deeply missed by all of us.

We are excited to welcome Vartika Saxena and Sampath V to the CWS community!

 

Vartika Saxena joins us as Senior Program Manager – Finance. With over 19 years of experience in finance, accounts, and operations in the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in financial planning, grant management, audits, and compliance. Passionate about the possibilities within the world of numbers, Vartika combines her technical knowledge with a strong commitment to social impact. Outside of work, she enjoys designing clothes, experimenting in the kitchen, writing poetry, and painting.

 

Sampath V joins as Senior Program Manager – Fundraising. With 8+ years of experience in CSR, philanthropy, and strategic partnerships, he has worked with organisations like Dasra, Vitamin Angels, and Diageo to drive impactful collaborations. Sampath holds degrees from TISS and ISDM, and brings fresh energy and insight to our fundraising efforts.

September was a month of learning, growing, and coming together. With every session, every new team member, and every conversation sparked, our community becomes stronger and more connected. Thank you for being part of this journey, there is still so much to explore, protect, and celebrate in the wild, and we are glad to have you with us.