Shilpi Gemawat

A new technology that will help quickly identify shark species and help save them is here.

Herbivores or plant eating animals are found on every continent of the earth other than Antarctica. Among these, the number of known land herbivore species is approximately 4000. But a recent study of large herbivores led by Professor William Ripple of the Oregon State University has brought into light some very worrying results. The study reports that 60 percent of the giant herbivores of the world are in risk of extinction and the decline may eventually lead to desertification of the entire planet!

The assessment made by the IUCN showed that the sites such as the Western Ghats, Kaziranga National Park, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and Sunderbans in India are under serious threats and are facing conservation issues.

An international study of radio-collared leopards in India has led to an unusual and unexpected finding . Scientists say that the common belief that leopards found near human residences are mostly those that have strayed from the forest habitat might not be entirely true. It is now thought more likely that the leopard is a resident animal of the human habitat.

Serious conservation plans seem to have finally fallen in place for the Great Indian Bustard with the sanctioning of a breeding centre in Gujarat by the central government.

Madhya Pradesh may soon lose all its leopards if an action plan is not set in place very soon to conserve them. The beautiful spotted feline once found in good numbers in Madhya Pradesh is under grave threat mainly due to road kills.

India is one of last remaining abodes of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. Only 1706 of this big cat survive in India which means there is just one tiger for every 7, 62,016 people.

Once found in large numbers all over India, these birds are now in dire risk of extinction because of Diclofenac, a veterinary drug that is used for treating cattle for inflammation.

Being a forest ranger in India seems to rank top on the list of jobs with high mortality rates. Based on statistics provided by a non profit organization called IRF (International Ranger Federation), past three years saw the death of 72 forest rangers in India.

The continual decline in the population of a species poses a major threat to biodiversity. On the flip side, the unhindered and rapid multiplication of species also brings forth its own set of problems.