Dear First name / friend,

 

While research and fieldwork continued steadily through the month of February, it also created space for deeper academic engagement, with admissions for our 2026 doctoral program commencing. Across teams, we remain committed to building a culture rooted in scientific rigor, open dialogue, and shared learning—extending that spirit not only within CWS, but to our wider community of supporters through our Wildlife Chronicles public lecture series.

 

February also marked Pangolin Day, a reminder of the quieter conservation crises unfolding across India’s forests. In this edition of Into the Wild, alongside updates from our Bengaluru office and field programs, we share a special pangolin comic that brings attention to the world’s most trafficked mammal and the urgent need to address wildlife hunting and trade. As always, we invite you to stay curious, stay engaged, and stand with us in strengthening science-led conservation in the months ahead.

Dr. Sikha Hariharan, Doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) and affiliated with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, has successfully defended her PhD thesis. Sikha’s research was guided by Dr. Divya Vasudev, Co-Founder & Senior Scientist at Conservation Initiatives, and co-guided by Dr. Krithi K. Karanth, CEO of CWS. With this milestone, Sikha becomes the 20th PhD scholar supported by CWS!

 

Her research focused on the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on the diet and movement ecology of endangered lion-tailed macaques at multiple scales. In her study, she integrated knowledge on feeding ecology, movement ecology, and landscape-level habitat analysis to address ecological gaps in existing knowledge. She also analyzed vertical space use of two troops, and long-term habitat loss across the species’ distributional range. Furthermore, her research included socio-economic assessments by looking at household participation in non-timber forest-product extraction.

 

During her PhD research, she has contributed to two publications. Her publication in Global Ecology and Conservation focused on non-timber forest extraction, which you can view here. Her publication in the American Journal of Primatology examined space use by Lion-tailed macaques, which you can find here.

We are excited to announce admissions to the 2026 Doctoral Program in wildlife ecology and conservation at the CWS. The degree will be granted by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). We are looking for highly motivated and academically driven candidates, with a demonstrated interest in field-based research in wildlife ecology and conservation in India and Asia. To learn more, click here!

1. Dr. K. Ullas Karanth quoted in The Hindu - Dr. K. Ullas Karanth, Emeritus Director of CWS, was quoted in an article published in The Hindu on 1st February 2026 with other experts, urging the Union Budget to prioritize wildlife conservation over international summits for effective protection strategies. To read the full article, click here. 

 

2. Shreya Ray featured in Roundglass Sustain - An article written by Shreya Ray (Doctoral fellow at CWS) titled 'Golden Jackal: The Fading Howls of an Elusive Carnivore' was published in Roundglass Sustain on 11th February 2026. The article analyzes the disappearance of the Golden jackal, which was once abundant in Darjeeling. It provides insight into the perception of the species by the local communities, as well as possible theories surrounding its decline. You can read the full article here.

 

3. Dr. K. Ullas Karanth interviewed on Wisdom Circle - On 13th February 2026, Dr. K. Ullas Karanth was featured on Wisdom Circle where he describes his childhood and early curiosity that shaped his journey. He talks about challenges he faced while helping establish rigorous, data-driven tiger research in India. You can read the full article here. 

 

4. Dr. K. Ullas Karanth featured on The Federal Voice - Dr. K. Ullas Karanth was featured on The Federal Voice of the States on 19th February 2026, where he criticized the recent tiger capture operations in Karnataka. He stated that human-wildlife conflict stems from habitat disturbance and unscientific forest management rather than tiger behavior, and urged stronger habitat protection, reduced human interference, and science-based conservation supported by fair village relocation and collaborative governance. You can read more here.

 

5. Dr. K. Ullas Karanth quoted in The Assam Tribune:  Dr. K. Ullas Karanth was quoted in The Assam Tribune on 22nd February 2026, in response to concerns regarding the recovery of four tiger carcasses this year. He spoke of the complexity of detecting tiger mortality in forest environments, and noted that the absence of carcasses does not mean an absence of mortality. To find out more, read the full article here. 

1. Brain Date on “Growing Environmental Consciousness through Collective Action” at InvokED 5.0 - Kaustubh Srikanth, Senior Program Manager - Wild Shaale, represented the organization at InvokED 5.0. CWS joined where we organized & facilitated the Brain date session on Environmental Consciousness through Collective action at the event, which took place on 6th & 7th February 2026 at the Prestige Center for Performing Arts, Bengaluru.  

 

2. Wildlife Chronicles: Public Lecture on Major Drivers of the Structure of some Southern Indian Plant Communities - As of February, we hosted our second Wildlife Chronicles public lecture of 2026 at our Bengaluru office. This talk by Dr. Sandeep Pulla on 19th February focused on the structure of tropical dry forests and savanna plant communities in southern India. It shed light on interaction of climate and plant material with topography and fire, to influence community structure at multiple scales. 

 

3. Global Learning Conference 2026 in Rwanda - Dr. Krithi Karanth, CEO of CWS participated in the Global Learning Conference 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda between 19th – 20th February. The conference was an invitation-only gathering rethinking the future of learning at the intersection of AI, education, and planetary health. The conference brought together leading educators, thought leaders, and decision makers in a unique opportunity to collaborate across geographies, sectors and disciplines to reshape the future of learning, and to drive impact at scale.

 

4. Workshop at National Forensic Sciences University - Ronil Goswami, Project Coordinator at CWS, was invited to talk at the Wildlife Forensics Workshop organized by the National Forensic Sciences University in Goa. His talk, held on 21st February 2026, focused on human-wildlife conflict, rescue operations and forensic documentation in the field, with a focus on Western India.

"When I first came to a mountain village in Uttarakhand, I was a bit unsure of what to expect. The village looked small, but soon I learned how big the hearts of the women were. Every morning, after finishing their chores, women carry bundles of grass, and others bring their firewood on their backs. 

 

They talk and laugh as they move through the forest trails. For them, the forest is much more than just trees. As one woman mentioned, “This forest is our second home. We give to it, and it gives to us.”

 

I sat with them as they shared their lived experiences. I was amazed by how much they know about trees, which roots are good for medicine, when to plant saplings, and old tricks for calling rain. They explained that their everyday work, whether in the kitchen or in the forest, is all for the well-being of the family and the land.

 

Life here is not always easy. Men make most of the decisions, or there’s not enough money, and the women’s work is often ignored. But I saw them support each other, share food after a hard day, and turn problems into moments of teamwork.

 

I remember one incident that stayed with me. One night during Diwali, a fire broke out in the forest, probably because of a firecracker. The women didn’t give a second thought, and they ran up the hill with sticks and buckets, calling loudly to wake the others. They fought the fire together until the morning, saving the trees and stopping the flames from reaching the village homes. Exhausted but proud, they returned, tired yet had a smile of victory on their faces.

 

Watching them, I learned that real leadership and care are not in big speeches but in the small acts of courage and kindness that keep a whole community safe."

 

-Kavya Pandey, Doctoral Fellow

 

 

The wildlife mask-making session turned into a lively and imaginative experience for the children. With colors and creativity, they brought their animal masks to life. Once the masks were ready, the children quickly began forming groups and acting out different roles.

 

Observing their behavior, Yogesha grew curious and asked what they were doing. The children’s response surprised her for it was a moment of realization that the activity had gone far beyond coloring paper. They said, “We are now different animals, so we are acting like them. Some of us are snakes and some are owls, so now owls will attack the snakes for food.”

 

Smiling at their understanding, Yogesha asked if only snakes and owls were part of their game. The children eagerly replied, “All of us are in this game — leopard, snake, and owl attack other animals like fish, snake, and butterfly.”

 

Taking the opportunity, Yogesha explained more about the relationship between prey and predators. The children listened with keen interest, gaining a clearer understanding of animal interactions. This simple mask-making activity revealed that children often know much more than adults expect. All they need is a gentle push or support to take their imagination forward. For them, the session was not just about making masks; it became an experience of wildlife awareness, creativity, learning, and joyful participation.

Bird activity and density in an area is affected by a variety of factors such as canopy cover, level of disturbance and insect availability. In this study conducted within Sariska Tiger Reserve, researchers have looked at how fuelwood and human activity affect bird populations. To find out more, read our blog here.

Endangered Lion-tailed macaques are pushing beyond fragmented rainforest habitats in Valparai plateau in the Anamalai hills, dispersing through a matrix of plantations and human-settlements. Their behaviour offers new insights into movement, resource-use and serves as a reminder about the imperative need for connecting natural habitats in an increasingly human-dominated world.  To read more, click here.

As February draws to a close, we are reminded that conservation is as much about curiosity and vigilance as it is about action. Whether through rigorous research, open conversations, creative storytelling, or sustained field engagement, each effort strengthens our collective response to the challenges facing wildlife and communities. Thank you for being part of this growing circle of learners and supporters. As we move into the months ahead, we look forward to sharing more science, more stories, and more opportunities to stand together for India’s wildlife.

 

Warm Regards,

Dr. Krithi K. Karanth

Centre for Wildlife Studies