Dear First name / friend,

 

As the new year gathered momentum, January saw our teams deepening scientific research, strengthening our conservation initiatives, and laying the groundwork for the months ahead. Across landscapes and classrooms, we continued translating science into action. We also paused to celebrate the life of Dr. Madhav Gadgil, whose voice and vision have been instrumental in shaping conservation in India. As 2026 unfolds, we look forward to sharing much more from across our landscapes, programs, and people.

 

In this edition of Into the Wild, we bring you updates from the field, highlights from a recent publication and media coverage, and early insights into how the year ahead is taking shape.

We are delighted to welcome Prof. Raghavendra Gadagkar to the Centre for Wildlife Studies’ Research Advisory Council. Prof. Gadagkar served for several decades as a Professor at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and is now an Honorary Professor at IISc. He is internationally renowned for his pioneering contributions to animal behaviour, ecology, and evolution, with a particular focus on the evolution of social behaviour in insects. His long-term research on the Indian paper wasp Ropalidia marginata has generated foundational insights into cooperation, conflict, leadership, and social organisation.

 

Prof. Gadagkar has published extensively, with several hundred peer-reviewed research papers and multiple influential books that have shaped thinking in sociobiology and behavioural ecology. His work has appeared in leading international journals, and he has served on the editorial boards of prestigious publications, including Science and PNAS. A recipient of numerous national and international honours, he is an elected Fellow of several eminent academies in India and abroad, including the Indian National Science Academy, TWAS, and the US National Academy of Sciences. We are honoured to have him join the Council and look forward to his guidance as we strengthen CWS’s research vision, rigour, and impact.

We are excited to share our latest publication, 'Mislabeled and Misunderstood: Large Mammal Distribution Underscores Ecological Significance of Agro-Pastoral “Wastelands” in India's Deccan Peninsula’, published in Ecology and Evolution on 12 January 2026, authored by Iravatee Majgaonkar, Anish Paul, Sushma Sharma and Indrajeet Ghorpade.

 

This study aims to understand the role of semi-arid multi-use landscapes in supporting populations of large-bodied wildlife in India's Deccan Peninsula. The results highlight the conservation potential of agro-pastoral landscapes and challenge the narrative of characterizing semi-arid open ecosystems as “wastelands”. To read, click here.

This year, CWS launched Wildlife Chronicles, a new series of public lectures hosted at our Bengaluru office and open to all. The inaugural talk in the series was delivered by Dr. Umesh Srinivasan on 22 January, titled “Understanding climate–land use impacts on biodiversity across scales: insights from Eastern Himalayan birds.” We invite you to join us in person for upcoming Wildlife Chronicles talks and be part of these engaging conversations on conservation science!

Three members of our team, Ganesh Honwad (Senior PM Training & Capacity Building), Sahil Pimpale (Program Manager), and Nikhil Jacob (Program Manager), recently participated in the third NIRMAN external learning workshop held at the Shodhgram campus in Gadchiroli. The workshop offered a reflective space for peer learning, diverse perspectives, and self-reflection, supporting both personal and professional growth. At CWS, we value such learning opportunities as key to strengthening people-centred practices, mentoring, and leadership within our team.

"Our wildlife engagement sessions in Darjeeling began not with a lecture, but with a board game spread out on classroom tables. The game introduced students to the habitats, feeding habits, and interactions of mammals found in the area. Almost immediately, the room filled with energy. Students leaned in, debated strategies, and celebrated wins, learning quickly turned competitive, and competition turned into curiosity.

 

As the game progressed, conversations moved beyond the board. Students began connecting the animals in the game to their own surroundings. One student casually mentioned seeing what they thought was a cat while walking to school early one morning, but after playing the game it became clear that the animal was a Himalayan palm civet. The student’s surprise was immediate, followed by excitement. It was a small but powerful moment: something familiar suddenly had a name, an identity, and a place in the ecosystem.

 

That moment set the tone for the rest of the session.

 

Building on this engagement, we moved into the second part of the workshop, illustrated comics depicting surprise encounters with wild mammals. What stood out was how differently students connected with the stories. Students from urban-adjacent areas were drawn to the black bear comics, often referencing incidents they had heard about or experienced in nearby areas. Meanwhile, students from tea garden villages responded strongly to the leopard encounter stories, sharing observations from their daily lives. The comics opened space for these experiences to be validated and reframed through a conservation lens.

 

By the end of the session, the classroom felt different. Animals that once existed only as fear, rumours, or fleeting sightings had become part of a shared conversation. Together, the board game and comics helped students see that wildlife is not distant or abstract, but deeply woven into their everyday landscapes."

 

-Shreya Ray, Doctoral Fellow

 

During a recent Wild Surakshe workshop in Palakkad, discussions around rabies and the Nipah virus revealed how widespread uncertainty and misinformation continue to shape community responses to disease. While most participants had heard of both illnesses, many were unclear about how they spread, the risks involved, and the steps needed to stay safe. Past Nipah outbreaks in Kerala had also left behind fear and lingering myths, one common belief being that people receiving rabies vaccinations should avoid foods like eggs, meat, or pickles. Through the session, participants learned that this is untrue, and that there are no dietary restrictions during rabies vaccination. In fact, avoiding nutritious food can weaken the body during recovery.

 

The workshop emphasized that while rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear, it is entirely preventable if bite wounds are washed thoroughly with soap and water and post-exposure vaccines are taken on time. Participants also learned how Nipah spreads through close contact with infected animals or people, and how risks can be reduced through simple precautions, such as avoiding raw fruit juices during outbreaks. By the end of the session, many shared that their doubts had been addressed and expressed confidence in responding to such situations and in passing this information on within their communities. To know more about Wild Surakshe, click here.

Understanding the balance between human livelihoods and wildlife conservation is crucial, especially around Kanha National Park. Our recent study sheds light on the factors influencing human-wildlife conflict, highlighting the need for efficient mitigation strategies. By identifying conflict hotspots, we can empower communities to effectively protect their crops and livestock while ensuring the preservation of our rich wildlife. Together, we can forge a path towards sustainable coexistence! Read more on our blog here.  

Interactions with wildlife are a daily reality for many people living near protected areas in India. Learn more about the risks that communities in reserves near Rajasthan face, and what factors shape their perceptions of wildlife. Read more on our blog here. 

We mourn the loss of Dr. Madhav Gadgil, a pioneering ecologist whose bold voice shaped conservation thinking in India. He will be remembered for his intellect, mentorship, and fearless engagement with the challenges of conservation governance. Read the tribute by Founder and Emeritus Director Dr. K. Ullas Karanth here.

As we step into the months ahead, we’re grateful to have you with us on this journey. We look forward to your continued support whether through reading, sharing, engaging, or donating. Your continued interest helps strengthen conservation efforts that are grounded in science, community partnerships, and long-term impact. We look forward to sharing more updates from the field and beyond in the coming weeks. 

 

Until then, thank you for being part of the CWS community.

 

Warm Regards,

Dr. Krithi K. Karanth

Centre for Wildlife Studies