Category: Wildlife

Over 100 pilot whales beached on western Australian coast have been rescued, researcher says

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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More than 100 long-finned pilot whales that beached on the western Australian coast on Thursday April 25 have returned to sea, while 31 died on the shore, a whale researcher said.

Researcher Ian Wiese joined hundreds of volunteers who helped rescue the whales at Toby’s Inlet near the tourist town of Dunsborough.

“There were well over 200 along the beach here and just nearby and there’s 31, I think, deceased but the rest got away, which is an amazing story,” Wiese told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

“When I first arrived, there was, I think, 160 in the water — almost out of the water — and there were a couple of hundred people who were with the whales, they were trying to comfort them and make sure that their heads were out of the water so they could breathe. And then after an hour or so, all of a sudden the ones that were in the water that were still alive left and went out to sea,” Wiese said.

“They may well decide to come back to shore somewhere on another beach nearby or something — that often happens, but we’re hopeful that they won’t,” Wiese added.

Also Read: Fossils of possibly largest snake to have ever lived found in Kutch, say scientists

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has yet to confirm the rescues.

A team of wildlife officers, marine scientists and veterinarians had earlier reached the scene and reported 26 dead among up to 160 stranded.

At that time, an additional 20 whales were in a pod about 1.5 kilometers (almost a mile) offshore and 110 whales formed a pod closer to the beach, the department said.

Regional wildlife officer Pia Courtis said the pod of 110 whales was “sticking together offshore” and was likely to come toward the beach.

“Unfortunately the outcome for our pilot whales once they strand on the beach is generally not good. We have high numbers of animals that end up dying,” Courtis said.

In July, almost 100 long-finned pilot whales died or were euthanised after a two-day rescue attempt in a mass stranding on Cheynes Beach near the former whaling station of Albany, 355 kilometers (220 miles) southeast of Dunsborough.

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Dunsborough is 285 kilometers (177 miles) by road south of Perth, Western Australia state’s capital and largest city.

Based on previous stranding’s, including the 2023 Cheynes Beach event, euthanising the beached whales is usually the most humane outcome, the department said in a statement.

“We always hope for the best outcome,” the statement said.

Wiese said on Thursday that was the third mass stranding he had responded to and the result was by far the best.

“It’s been a very good story today because normally with these sorts of stranding’s, you wind up with a 100 whales beaching and five or six being saved,” Wiese said.

Courtis said the whales were believed to have become stranded early Thursday.

The dead whales were dragged from the water so that their carcasses didn’t attract sharks.

Dunsborough was the scene of a mass stranding of 320 long-finned pilot whales in 1996. Only 20 died on that occasion, with rescuers returning the rest to sea.

Scientists don’t know what causes whales to strand, although it appears their location systems can be confused by gently sloping, sandy beaches.

Theories include that they are avoiding predators such as killer whales, or following a sick leader ashore. Human-made undersea noise could also interfere with their navigation.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Fossils of possibly largest snake to have ever lived found in Kutch, say scientists

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Fossils recovered from Kutch in Gujarat may have belonged to the spine of one of the largest snakes to have ever lived, according to new research from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. From the Panandhro Lignite Mine, researchers discovered 27 “mostly well-preserved” bones forming the snake’s spinal column, or vertebra, with some connections still intact. They said the vertebrae appeared to be from a fully-grown animal.

The snake is estimated to be between roughly 11 and 15 metres long, comparable in size only to the extinct Titanoboa, known to be the longest snake to have ever lived, the researchers said. Owing to its size, it may have been a “slow-moving ambush predator,” similar to an anaconda, they said.

The findings are published in the journal Scientific Reports. The researchers have named this newly discovered snake species ‘Vasuki Indicus’ (V. Indicus) after the mythical snake round the neck of the Hindu deity Shiva and in reference to its country of discovery, India. V. Indicus is part of the now extinct madtsoiidae family, known to have lived across a broad geography, including Africa, Europe and India, they added.

The authors said the snake represented a “distinct lineage” originating in India which then spread via southern Europe to Africa during the Eocene, about 56 to 34 million years ago. The first ancestors and close relatives of the modern mammal species are said to have appeared in the Eocene period.

The authors dated the fossils to the Middle Eocene period, roughly 47 million years ago. The vertebrae, measuring between 38 and 62 millimetres in length, and between 62 and 111 millimetres in width, suggested V. Indicus to possibly have had a broad, cylindrical body, the researchers said. They extrapolated the measurements of V. Indicus to be between 10.9 and 15.2 metres in length.

Despite uncertainties in estimates, the researchers said the snake was comparable in size to Titanoboa, the fossils of which were first discovered in the 2000s from present day Colombia.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

HC seeks Centre, Kerala govt stand on PIL claiming captive elephants illegally captured

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Kerala High Court here has sought the Centre and state government’s stand on a PIL alleging that the elephants in captivity in Kerala were illegally captured and seeking a ban on their training, trading, parading and possession.

A bench of Chief Justice A J Desai and Justice V G Arun issued notice to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and the Kerala government, seeking their response to the PIL by animal rights activist Angels Nair.

The High Court has listed the matter to be taken up next on June 13. Nair, in his petition, has also sought release of the captive elephants into the wild in accordance with guidelines issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Central Zoo Authority of India.

In addition, he has sought a probe by the CBI or any other external agency into the illegal training, trading, transportation and possession of captive elephants and the quashing of the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024 framed by the central government. Nair, in his plea, has claimed that it has always been illegal to capture wild elephants for private use in captivity, but there was no law or rules in place prohibiting it prior to 1977.

In 1977, elephants were added to schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and therefore, it became illegal to capture or tame them, the petition has said. It has also claimed that more than 54 per cent of the elephants in captivity presently were born after 1977 and therefore, their capture and taming was illegal.

This does not include elephants in rehabilitation centres, hospitals and zoos, the plea has said. Nair has alleged that captive elephants suffer horrendous torture by their owners who often deprive them of food and water as part of the training process.

Citing figures he has claimed to have received under the Right to Information Act, Nair has contended that the captive elephant population in Kerala in December 2010 was 702 and this number came down by 41% to 410 in December 2023. Very few of these deaths are due to old age, he has claimed.

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Giant anaconda ‘Ana Julia’ found dead in Brazilian Amazon, foul play suspected

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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A giant anaconda was found dead in the Brazilian Amazon, presumably as a result of a gunshot wound, barely weeks after it was first discovered. An international team of 15 biologists discovered this anaconda in February, naming it Ana Julia. The snake weighed around 440 pounds and was over 26 feet long.

Bryan Fry, the professor who oversaw a team of scientists — that with assistance from the Indigenous Huaorani people, discovered a new species of green anaconda during filming Pole to Pole with actor Will Smith — shared this information.

“This particular specimen wasn’t one of the new species but was a southern green anaconda (Eunectes murinus),” Fry told USA Today.

Freek Vonk, another professor who was part of the team that discovered the southern green anaconda, shared the news on Instagram, writing, “With enormous pain in my heart, I want to let you know that the mighty big green anaconda I swam with was found dead in the river this weekend.”

Professor Vonk expressed his sadness and anger upon learning of Ana Julia’s death, calling the perpetrators who killed her “sick.”

According to a late Tuesday (March 26) update, which Vonk posted on Instagram, there is currently no proof that the green anaconda was shot and killed.

As per The Independent, the snake was found in the Formoso River in the remote Bonito district of southern Brazil.

Meanwhile, according to Fry, who spoke to USA Today, the killing of the snake is a senseless tragedy comparable to someone shooting a panda, even if it is not a record-breaking new species. “So incredibly maddening,” he said.

According to wildlife videographer Cristian Dimitris, the dead snake is the same one seen swimming with Vonk earlier.

He informed Metro.uk that he had made a comparison between her face’s fingerprint-like characteristics. According to him, it’s the most well-known anaconda in the world and embodies the essence of the area.

Juliana Terra, an expert in anacondas and researcher at the University of São Paulo, confirmed the snake’s identity and referred to Ana Julia as a “symbol for the Bonito region,” Metro.uk reported.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

International Polar Bear Day 2024: Know the population of the ‘vulnerable’ species

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The International Polar Bear Day, an annual event, is dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges polar bears are facing. Observed every February 27, the day primarily focuses on raising funds for the betterment of the symbol of the Arctic wilderness.

Polar bears are the white northern bear found in the Arctic region, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). These giant creatures, considered to be the largest species of bears, have a thick layer of body fat under a water-repellent furry coat that insulates them from the cold and water in their habitat.

Placed on top of the food chain, the species is important for biodiversity and has a crucial role in the overall balance of the marine environment.

Population of polar bears

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports, there are approximately 22,000-31,000 polar bears across the world. In the past decade, the IUCN has pegged the global population of polar bears splitting into 19 sub-populations.

As per the IUCN report, the sub-populations are smaller groupings that together make up the total wild polar bear population to count.

The IUCN Red List has assigned the species vulnerable status in most of the regions.

History and significance of International Polar Bear Day

Polar Bear International, a non-profit organisation, was formed in 1994, and it suggested that February 27 be dedicated to polar bears. In the 2000s, when the population of these Arctic creatures witnessed a significant decline due to drastic climatic change, the organisation designated February 27 as the International Polar bear day in 2011.

According to the official website of the organisation, “We founded the day to coincide with the time period when polar bear moms and cubs are snug in their dens. As part of our celebration, we focus on the need to protect denning families across the Arctic.”

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The primary objective of the organisation is to encourage people and countries to make active changes to curb fossil fuel emission. The day is to educate and raise awareness among people to preserve the climate for such animals.

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Anant Ambani aims to establish global wildlife testing hub

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Reliance Industries Director Anant Ambani, an animal lover, has taken up an ambitious project of opening the world’s largest zoo—an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre. Speaking to CNBC-Awaaz’s Anuj Singhal, Anant Ambani shared more about his love for animals and his vision for this dream project.

Ambani talked about his family’s love for animals, citing his parents, Mukesh and Nita Ambani, as his primary inspiration for the new initiative.

“Think about wildlife labs. There are over 150 zoos in the country. There are a lot of departments overseeing forest areas. There are many for-profit zoos. They all need labs. While we are not-for-profit, we have to make some money. In the future, we want to build a Centre of Excellence in Wildlife where samples from all over the world come for testing. Like humans who contracted COVID-19, animals also suffer from a lot of infections. These infections can affect humans too,” he said.

Also Read | Anant Ambani is an animal lover and green energy advocate: Know all about him ahead of pre-wedding festivities

He said the rescue center houses over 200 elephants, while the zoo has more than 100 species of animals and a dedicated team of 3,000 people to manage it. He spends an hour or two with the animals each day.

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He believes that planting trees and growing the jungle is in the service of animals.

“We don’t expect anything in return,” he said.

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For more, watch the accompanying video

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‘It’s not for profit, it’s in the service of animals,’ says Anant Ambani on new animal welfare initiative

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Anant Ambani, Director at Reliance Industries, has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to open the world’s largest zoo and animal rescue and rehabilitation centre. In an exclusive interview with Anuj Singhal of CNBC Awaaz, Ambani shared his deep affection for animals and elaborated on his visionary dream project.

Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation on February 26 announced the launch of Vantara (Star of the Forest) programme, an umbrella initiative to focus on rescue, treatment, care and rehabilitation of injured, abused and threatened animals, both in India and abroad. Spread over 3,000 acres within the Green Belt of Reliance’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat, Vantara aims to be one of the leading contributors to conservation efforts globally.

Ambani talked about his family’s love for animals, citing his parents as his primary inspiration for the new initiative. “What started as a passion for me at a very young age has become a mission now with Vantara and our brilliant and committed team. We are focused at protecting critically endangered species native to India. We also want to restore vital habitats and address urgent threats to species and establish Vantara as a leading-edge conservation programme,” Anant said.

He said the rescue center houses over 200 elephants, while the zoo has more than 100 species of animals and a dedicated team of 3,000 people to manage it.

Ambani has displayed a deep passion for animal welfare since his early years. He is actively involved in various initiatives aimed at rescuing, providing healthcare, rehabilitating, and conserving animals.

Jamnagar is currently buzzing with excitement as preparations are underway for the upcoming pre-wedding festivities of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh and Nita Ambani, with Radhika Merchant, the daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant. The celebrations are scheduled to take place from March 1 to 3.

Below are the edited excerpts of the interview:

Q: You have been explaining stuff to us patiently and passionately for the last 12 hours. Do you get this from your grandfather Dhirubhai Ambani?

A: For me, it’s my father, my honourable grandfather, my mother, and even my grandmother..

Q: Your grandmother is from Jamnagar?

A: Yes, she’s from Jamnagar… I am inspired by all of them. If I am able to achieve a fraction of what they have, it will be a big thing for me. My father and grandfather have set up the world’s biggest oil refinery here (Jamnagar). My mother built this massive township you see here. Our colleagues, all Reliance employees, all live here in this city that my mother has built.

It was Dhirubhai’s dream but when he passed away, my father helped accomplish that dream till the end.

Q: It’s said that Dhirubhai’s vision began where the thought of the common man ended. I was looking at this project. It’s so grand, I couldn’t imagine. When did you get the idea for this project? Hat you wanted to do something like this, and at this scale.

A: Like you said, my grandfather and my parents have always said do something that will be your legacy in the world. Dhirubhai’s philosophy was that the public should benefit from it. At one time, he gave mobile phones for ₹500 and everyone benefited from it.

It gave my father the idea for the 4G revolution. In every business, my father always says this, always look at how to help people, how to make their lives easier. He’s always ventured into businesses with that philosophy and he has taught us the same.

Now, we are all, including my colleagues, part of his team. We are trying to realise his vision. The entire team, all Reliance employees, my brothers and friends, we are all trying to take that vision forward.

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Q: How much have your siblings helped you in this project?

A: My Bhai-shri (Akash Ambani) and my sister (Isha) have supported me a lot in this project. All the family members are big animal lovers. My father has been taking us to forests since we were children.

Even my grandfather was very fond of going to the jungles. In Gir forest (Gujarat), my grandfather is from Chorwad, they used to see lions there. We have roamed around Gir forest many times with him.

My sister who runs the Reliance Foundation and Reliance Retail, she has supported me a lot. She has contributed a lot. Everyone knows my mother is the inspiration. Whatever I know today, I have learnt from her. We were able to build this because of our parents’ contribution.

Q: A project this big can’t be built only with a business motive. It needs passion and I can see that in you.

A: You’re from CNBC Awaaz so you will see the business angle…

Q: Yes, I talk about business but I can see a lot more than that here. That’s why I asked…

A: If you see the whole thing here, it’s for service. Whether it’s an elephant or any other animal, it’s a rescue centre. We have got over 200 rescued elephants here. We have 20-25,000 other animals that have been rescued.

There are over a 100 species of animals here. We protect even the endangered species. We are taking efforts for their safety, breeding and conservation, so that they can be released back into the wild one day.

You may have seen that we have built this (rescue and rejuvenation centre) over 2,000 acres. If any wild animal needs help, we welcome it with our arms wide open. There are over 3,000 people working here and they treat the animals like they are their own kids. That’s how our veterinarians treat the animals.

Q: As you mentioned I am from a business channel, so this question keeps coming to mind: did you already have all this land or did you buy it for this project?

A: This land has been with us from Dhirubhai’s time. It was leased to our animal welfare trust. Reliance Foundation is one of the sponsors for the trust. It’s one of the big contributions from my mother. She inspired me to take up this project.

The whole thing that you see here, runs on solar energy. We have built a lot of these things using scrap material. You must have seen it already, it’s spread over 2,000-2,500 acres.

It was barren land that we have now turned into a jungle.

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Q: If you need to rescue, say, another 10,000 animals, will you expand this project further in the future? Do you have the land and the resources for it? 

A. We work with the government. The Gujarat department of forests has supported us a lot. They are already doing such good work, and it’s well known, in Gir and in Gujarat as a whole. We will partner with them, and work with their support. 

What you’re seeing here is just a trailer. There’s a lot more to come. 

Q: There’s clearly an economic angle. Dinesh, the person who takes care of the leopard, comes from a region affected by Naxalism. 

A. He’s from Gadchiroli. We have about 3,000-4,000 caretakers here. They are all people from underdeveloped regions, Naxal-infested areas, and remote places in the northeastern states. We are bringing people from such places. 

We are giving them a different kind of training. People who come from such places have a different kind of love for animals. The adivasi people serve the animals with all their heart. 

There are 3,000 people who are finding livelihood here. 

Q: Let me say this. It may be a passion project for you. But in an era when carbon credits, net-zero emissions are being spoken about, this could be a big business opportunity for you. 

A. We don’t want to look at it as a business. It’s an institution for service. Not everyone gets an opportunity like this. God picked us for this service, we had the blessings of our parents, that’s why we are able to do this. Don’t want to bring a business angle into it. 

Of course, the Foundation helps and nothing is possible without it. It’s a Trust. We don’t want to combine it with any business. We don’t want to use it for entertainment either. 

It will always be a non-profit organisation. This is not for profit, it’s in the service of animals. 

Q: I just saw a business angle…

We will plant trees, grow the jungle. It’s in the service of animals. We don’t expect anything in return. 

Q: So, this is entirely part of your corporate social responsibility?

A. It’s a Trust. So it has the support of a lot of people. We are trustees. I am here like an advisor. We run it like a professional charitable organisation. 

Q: Big congratulations on the wedding. My best wishes. You spend so much time with us, on this project, you spend so much time with animals, doesn’t Radhika-ji mind? 

A. See, I spend an hour or two with the animals in a day. I have to work with my father on the business too. I have to spend time with my team, my colleagues too. There’s about 2,000-3,000 colleagues.So, I have to work anywhere 8-12 hours a day. 

As far as Radhika is concerned, she’s also an animal lover like me. So, whenever I go, she also helps me. In fact, it will get easier for me after the wedding because she’s also very passionate. 

If someone calls us in the middle of the night saying an elephant needs a surgery, both of us run to the spot. 

I just pray that God gives me and my parents the strength to do more of this. 

Q: Well, if you’ve found someone who shares your passion, what more do you need. Back to Jamnagar. It has the world’s biggest oil refinery. Not many people know but Jamnagar also has, possibly, the world’s biggest mango farm. Since you now lead the group’s new energy initiatives, will we more action here?

A. Of course! Our work is going on in full force. We are developing something over an area of over 4,000 acres. The moment it’s ready, you will be the first person to be invited here.

Read Here | Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding celebrations: Check events planned at Jamnagar

Q: It’s been one of the big visions of your father. He has focused on this (new energy) a lot in the AGMs. So, there’s a lot of responsibility on you…

A. Yes. You were talking about carbon credits. We are trying to make the Jamnagar refinery into a net zero carbon emitter. It’s my father’s dream and we will get there soon.

Q: Can you tell us little more about the 4,000 acre new energy project? 

A. We will tell you more when we bring you here next time. Let’s talk about the service initiative we have here.

Q: Sure. A regular hospital has a certain economics. Is it different from the one here, for animals?

A. I am not saying we want to do this but think about wildlife labs. There are over 150 zoos in the country. There are a lot of departments overseeing forest areas. There are many for-profit zoos. They all need labs. 

While we are not-for-profit, we have to make some money. In the future, we want to build a centre of excellence in wildlife where samples from all over the world come for testing. 

Like humans contracted COVID-19, animals also suffer from a lot of infections. These infections can affect humans too. 

Q: So one last question. You have deep roots in Jamnagar. Is that why you picked the city for your wedding? 

A. My grandmother is from Jamnagar. My mother has built the whole city. They have built the whole thing brick by brick. I have spent a lot of time here as a child. Mumbai is my home but my heart is in Jamnagar. My parents and grandmother also suggested that we pick Jamnagar as the venue. It also gives me an opportunity to celebrate with my colleagues, and the other people I work with. 

Q: The Ambani family is known for its execution capabilities. Both Dhirubhai and your father are famous for it. Now, I am told that you are handling all the work in Jamnagar. 

A. Nothing can be done one person. We have a whole team here. We work together. There are some senior people here. We learn something new from them every day. 

Q: When will you invite me for more on the new energy project?

A. I will call you on December 20.

Disclaimer: Network18, the parent company of CNBCTV18.com, is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Picture of sleeping polar bear by British amateur photographer bags top wildlife photography honour

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The mesmerising image of a slumbering polar bear on a small iceberg has been announced as the winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award.

The photograph was captured by British amateur photographer Nima Sarikhani at the Svalbard archipelago in Norway. Titled ‘Ice Bed,’ the image features a male polar bear who has just laid down to sleep on an iceberg.

Sarikhani said he was honoured to have won the award this year. “This photograph has stirred strong emotions in many of those who have seen it… Whilst climate change is the biggest challenge we face, I hope that this photograph also inspires hope. There is still time to fix the mess we have caused,” he said in a statement.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, hosted by the Natural History Museum in London, witnessed an overwhelming response this year, with over 75,000 people participating in the voting process.

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There were around 50,000 entries from 95 countries, while Sarikhani’s ‘Ice Bed’ was selected from a shortlist of 25 images.

Dr Douglas Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum said “Sarikhani’s breath-taking and poignant image allows us to see the beauty and fragility of our planet.”

“His thought-provoking image is a stark reminder of the integral bond between an animal and its habitat and serves as a visual representation of the detrimental impacts of climate warming and habitat loss,” Gurr added.

As per the Natural History Museum, Sarikhani spent three days searching for polar bears aboard an expedition vessel, but he was thwarted by thick fog around the Norwegian islands. Luckily, he came across an area of sea ice, where he encountered a pair of bears one younger and one older.

Sarikhani tracked the two bears for almost eight hours until the younger male decided to rest.

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Besides ‘Ice Bed,’ there were four other images that were highly commended by voters. All of them will be displayed at the London-based museum till June 30.

The other four images include ‘The Happy Turtle’ by Tzahi Finkelstein, ‘Starling Murmuration’ by Daniel Dencescu, ‘Shared Parenting’ by Mark Boyd, and ‘Aurora Jellies’ by Audun Rikardsen.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow