Dear First name / friend,

 

October at CWS was a month of science, celebration, and new milestones.

 

As we marked Save the Frogs Day this month, we were reminded of the delicate balance that sustains life in the wild, and the urgency of protecting even the smallest species that play vital roles in our ecosystems. This month, our latest publication led by doctoral fellow, Simran Prasad, made waves globally with new scientific insights and extensive media attention, while CWS scientists represented India at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, sharing knowledge and building collaborations on a global stage.

 

In this edition of Into the Wild, we bring you stories of discovery, recognition, and the people whose dedication and curiosity continue to drive our mission forward.

We are thrilled to share that Aishwarya Laghate, doctoral fellow at the Centre for Wildlife Studies, has been selected as the 2025 James A. Kushlan Graduate Student Award recipient by Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. The award recognizes her impactful research on ensuring safe food sources for India’s critically endangered vultures.

“Aishwarya is the perfect example of a brilliant, up-and-coming conservationist. She has been passionate by the natural world from a very young age and aims to make a significant difference for struggling vulture populations in India, where the need couldn’t be more pressing,” says Hawk Mountain Senior Scientist and Director of Graduate Studies Dr. JF Therrien. To read more, click here.

We are excited to share our latest publication, titled 'Community mitigation decisions in elephant conflict zones of southern India depend on environmental and socio-economic drivers', published in Scientific Reports on 6th October 2025. This study examines community responses to elephant conflict incidents in the Western Ghats and identifies drivers that shape mitigation decisions.

The study was led by Simran Prasad (Centre for Wildlife Studies and Manipal Academy of Higher Education), along with co-authors, Dr. Vikram Aditya (Centre for Wildlife Studies), Dr. Jennifer Solomon (Colorado State University) and Dr. Krithi K. Karanth (Centre for Wildlife Studies and Duke University). To read the full paper, click here.

An article published in The New Indian Express on 8th October 2025 features our latest study led by Doctoral Fellow Simran Prasad with co-authors, Dr. Vikram Aditya (CWS), Dr. Jennifer Solomon (Colorado State University) and Dr. Krithi K. Karanth (CWS and Duke University). To read the article, click here.

An article published in The Hindu on 7th October 2025 highlights our latest study on human–elephant conflict in Karnataka and Kerala. Led by Doctoral Fellow Simran Prasad, the research reveals that commonly used barriers such as trenches and solar fences are causing unintended harm to elephants, underscoring the need for better-designed, community-informed mitigation measures that protect both people and wildlife. To read the article, click here.

An article published in Times Of India on 9th October 2025 talks about our latest study led by doctoral fellow Simran Prasad and co-authors Dr. Vikram Aditya (CWS), Dr. Jennifer Solomon (Colorado State University) and Dr. Krithi K. Karanth (CWS and Duke University). The study finds that trenches are the primary cause of elephant injuries in Karnataka, highlighting how community-level mitigation practices and local factors shape human–elephant conflict management. To read the article, click here.

An article was published by Mongabay on 13th October 2025 featuring our latest study led by Doctoral Fellow Simran Prasad with co-authors, Dr. Vikram Aditya (CWS), Dr. Jennifer Solomon (Colorado State University) and Dr. Krithi K. Karanth (CWS and Duke University). To read the article, click here.

An article published by Pravasi Prapancha on 10th October 2025 features Dr. K. Ullas Karanth, Emeritus Director of CWS, calling for greater youth involvement in wildlife conservation. Drawing on decades of experience, he reflects on India’s journey in wildlife protection, the ongoing challenges of safeguarding natural habitats, and the vital importance of educating people about living in harmony with nature. To read the article, click here.

An article published by National Herald on 3rd October 2025, mourns the passing of Jane Goodall (1934–2025), whose six decades of groundbreaking research and tireless advocacy reshaped primatology, conservation, and our relationship with nature. Ishika Ramakrishna, doctoral fellow at Centre for Wildlife Studies was featured speaking about her encounter with Jane Goodall. To read the full article, click here.

From October 9–15th 2025, Dr. Vikram Aditya, Imran Siddiqui, Sikha Hariharan, and Simran Prasad represented CWS at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi which brought together over 10,000 global conservation professionals. Dr. Aditya participated in key sessions on wildlife trade, pandemic prevention, and pangolin conservation, engaging with members of the IUCN Pangolin Specialist Group and international partners to explore collaborations. They also attended the launch of India’s national IUCN Red List, the IUCN Green List ceremony, and the Members Assembly, contributing to decisions shaping IUCN’s strategic vision for 2026–2029. The global gathering brought together conservationists, researchers, and policymakers to share insights, strategies, and solutions for protecting biodiversity. CWS' participation highlighted India’s critical role in advancing science-based conservation and community-centered approaches on the international stage.

On 4th October, Dr. Amit Hegde, Senior Research Fellow at CWS, was invited as a speaker for a one-day workshop on “Amphibians and Coastals: Linking land, water, and life through Amphibians” organised by the Department of Zoology at S.D.M. Degree College, Honnavar.

The workshop brought together students and faculty from coastal colleges of Uttara Kannada to explore the fascinating links between amphibians, coastal ecosystems, and biodiversity conservation. Drawing on 13 years of field experience across the Western Ghats and coastal regions, Dr. Hegde shared scientific insights and stories highlighting the ecological and cultural importance of amphibians.

'During my fieldwork in the Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh, I kept hearing the same phrase from elders and hunters alike, “We do not hunt the gibbon. It is inauspicious.” At first, I thought it was just superstition. But as I spent more time in these misty forests, I realized it was something far deeper, a belief system rooted in kinship and myth.

 

The Mishmi people believe that humans, tigers, and gibbons are siblings, born of the same mother. To harm a gibbon is to bring misfortune upon oneself, a curse that could turn the killer into what they destroyed. This belief, passed down for generations, has safeguarded the gibbons far better than any law could.

 

Years later, when I worked on a gibbon translocation project, it was the Mishmi community who first raised the alarm about their shrinking habitat and who stood beside us to help. They tracked gibbon families, guided us through the terrain, and ensured their safe relocation.

 

That experience reminded me that stories can be as powerful as science. In the Mishmi Hills, a tale of kinship and curse has quietly protected an entire species, proof that sometimes, belief itself can be conservation.'

 

-Deep Gogoi, Doctoral Fellow

At the small village school in Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Jagannath, Educator with the Wild Shaale program in Goa, had the opportunity to witness how young minds can connect deeply with the natural world. During a session on human-animal relationships, the students were engrossed in stories of how animals survive in the wild and the role humans play in protecting or endangering them. Among them, Shivam Gaonkar, a thoughtful sixth-grader, stood out for the way he listened, questioned, and reflected.

When Jagannath spoke about the importance of giving wild animals their space, Shivam raised his hand and shared a personal story. He recounted how once, while walking near his fields, he spotted a monkey trying to take food from their backyard. Instead of chasing it with sticks, as many villagers usually do, Shivam quietly stepped back and told his younger brother, “We should not hurt them. They are only looking for food, just like us.” His simple words carried a powerful message of empathy.

Jagannath asked him why he chose to act differently when most people react with anger. Shivam replied, “If we harm them, they will only get scared and fight back. But if we leave them alone, they will go away on their own.” His response reflected a maturity well beyond his age, and the class listened with admiration. That day, Shivam’s words left the class with a moral that was as clear as it was inspiring: wildlife deserves understanding, not hostility. Wild Shaale is supported by Oracle. To know more about how you can support the Centre for Wildlife Studies, click here.

Lakshminarayanan, N., Karanth, K. K., Goswami, V. R., Vaidyanathan, S., & Karanth, K. U. (2015). Determinants of dry season habitat use by Asian elephants in the Western Ghats of India. Journal of Zoology.

 

Asian elephants, wide-ranging and resource-dependent, navigate vast forest landscapes in search of water and forage, especially during the harsh dry season. But understanding where and why they move is no easy task. With dense forests and seasonal shifts, tracking elephant habitat use poses key challenges for conservation scientists. To read the blog, click here.

Prasad, S., Aditya, V., Solomon, J. & Karanth, K. K. (2025). Community mitigation decisions in elephant conflict zones of southern India depend on environmental and socio-economic drivers. Scientific Reports.

 

In southern India, elephants frequent forested areas and overlap with people. As these interactions occur, what measures do people take to protect themselves and their farmlands? What drivers are impacting their decisions to deploy measures? How do these mitigation measures impact elephant casualties? To know more about these fascinating encounters and how they can shape conservation programs, read our blog based on our latest publication, which looks at the intricate interactions between people and elephants. To read the blog, click here.

As October comes to an end, we celebrate the wins, the work, and the wonder that keep us going. From groundbreaking research to growing recognition, every step we take is guided by our shared commitment to protect the wild, from frogs to forests, and all life in between. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we will continue turning science into action and awareness into lasting change.