2-yr raptor ecology study begins in DNP with vulture tagging
The study involves the capture and tagging of 36 vultures from various species, including the Tawny Eagle Vulture and Egyptian Vulture, to better understand their movement and breeding patterns.
Under the guidance of Dr Govind Sagar Bhardwaj, director of WII, and led by senior scientist Dr Sutirtha Dutta, the team has already fitted two vultures with GPS transmitters and backpack harnesses. The first bird, a Tawny Eagle, was tagged and released on July 21 in the RKVY enclosure of DNP, while a juvenile Egyptian Vulture was tagged and released near the Gajaimata enclosure two days later.
Both birds exhibited normal flight post-release.
The study, approved under Section 12(A) of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, also includes collection of biological samples from six individuals each of Red-headed Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Tawny Eagle, and Laggar Falcon. The research aims to generate critical data on the spatial ecology and conservation needs of these threatened species.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
15 most beautiful women in the world
Topgentlemen.com
Undo
Officials from WII highlighted the importance of the study in recommending measures to protect the vulnerable landscape of the Thar Desert. B M Gupta, divisional forest officer of DNP, emphasised that these efforts are crucial for the long-term conservation of raptors in the region.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Sweet but risky? Stevia has been linked with brain stroke
Artificial sweeteners have been seen as a safer alternative to sugar for years, low-calorie, diabetes-friendly, and tooth-friendly too. Among them, Stevia and Erythritol often come up together in sugar-free products. But a recent study has shaken things up, linking erythritol, a sweetener blended with Stevia in commercial products, to potential risks that could affect the brain's vascular system. The word "stroke" instantly grabs attention, and rightly so. But it's important to understand the reasoning behind it. What did scientists really do? This study was conducted in vitro, meaning it was done outside the human body, specifically in a lab, using cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs). These are the same types of cells that line blood vessels in the brain and help regulate things like blood flow and clotting. Researchers treated these cells with erythritol in quantities equivalent to what's found in a standard artificially sweetened drink (around 30g of erythritol). The goal? To observe how this sweetener affects oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO) production, and markers that influence blood clotting and vessel function. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Spike in oxidative stress One of the most striking findings was a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), basically, unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, damaging cells over time. The oxidative stress levels were double in erythritol-treated cells compared to untreated ones. This triggered the cells to produce more antioxidant proteins like superoxide dismutase-1 and catalase, which act like emergency fire extinguishers in the body. But if the fire is too strong, even more antioxidants might not be enough. The takeaway? This oxidative imbalance may weaken the blood-brain barrier over time, possibly contributing to neurovascular issues like stroke. Why blood flow suffers Nitric oxide (NO) is crucial, it helps relax blood vessels, ensuring smooth blood flow. The study found that NO production dropped in erythritol-treated brain cells, even though the main enzyme that produces it (eNOS) didn't change much. The twist? The phosphorylated forms of eNOS (the active and inactive switches) were altered, one became less active, the other more inhibitory. This disrupted signaling means the vessels may not relax properly, increasing the risk of clot formation or vascular stiffness, both red flags for ischemic stroke.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Cosmologists flock to city for summit
Chennai: About 100 cosmologists and researchers from renowned institutions across the country will gather at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) in the city to discuss the evolution of universe from July 28 to Aug 1. The first edition of Cosmic Connections will explore the universe from its earliest instants to its evolution into the large-scale structure. The discussions will cover the early universe (when the age of the universe was less than 400,000 years), the intermediate universe (between 400,000 years to one billion years), and the late universe (more than one billion years). "The main aim of the meeting is to bring together the researchers working in cosmology in the country. It will also give a platform for early-career researchers and students," said Dhiraj Kumar Hazra, faculty member of IMSc and convener of the meeting. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The five-day programme will feature 70 full-length talks on topics such as inflation, primordial gravitational waves, cosmic microwave background (CMB), quantum fluctuations, cosmic reionization, formation of galaxies during cosmic dawn, and galaxy evolution studies using instruments such as the James Webb Space Telescope, LIGO-India and SKA- India projects. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Slonim: Unsold Sofas May Be at Bargain Prices (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo Sessions will also explore dark matter halo structure, galaxy clustering, and gravitational wave cosmology. "The objective is to foster collaboration within the Indian cosmology community and strengthen the country's participation in major international surveys and future missions," Dhiraj Kumar Hazra added. The meeting will include a discussion session on 'India's Cosmic Odyssey: From Earth to the Edge of the Universe' on July 31. It will focus on India's strategic involvement in current and future cosmology missions and proposals, specifically,
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Which country has the largest snake population
Snakes are known for slithering through forests, deserts, wetlands, and even urban areas. Spotting them sends chills down the spine, and I, as a matter of fact, freeze for a moment. Forget this scary part, as it's also a well-known fact that these misunderstood reptiles has a vital role in our ecosystems. They are responsible for controlling populations of rodents and other pests, and play both the parts of predators and prey; they even contribute to seed dispersal. As regarding statistics, there are around 3,900 snake species recorded globally (according to the Reptile Database). When the term "highest snake population" is referred to, it's often interpreted as the country that houses the most snake species. According to the World Population Review, Mexico tops the list for having the most snake species in the world, with 438 types, closely followed by Brazil. Read more: Planning a short trip during the Independence Day weekend: 5 destinations to avoid strictly From arid deserts in the north to lush rainforests in the south, Mexico's diverse geography provides them a healthy habitat — both venomous and non-venomous. Some notable Mexican snakes include: Mexican west coast rattlesnake (Crotalus basiliscus) – It's one of the largest rattlesnake species in the world. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Won't Believe the Price of These Dubai Apartments Binghatti Developers FZE Get Offer Undo Consider yourself luck if you don't meet any in this lifetime. Tropical vine snake (Oxybelis fulgidus) – It's a slender, tree-dwelling species that possesses excellent camouflaging technique. Mexican burrowing python (Loxocemus bicolor) – It's a rare and primitive snake found in moist lowlands. Coral snakes (Micrurus spp.) – brightly colored and highly venomous, found in several Mexican states. These species are found across Mexico's 32 states, from coastal mangroves and highland pine forests to desert canyons and volcanic plateaus. Reasons behind Mexico having so many snake species? Well there is not one reason behind this. Several factors contribute to this, some of which are: Mexico is classified as a megadiverse country, meaning it is one of the few nations that harbour the majority of Earth's species. The country spans across a wide range of ecosystems — including tropical rainforests, dry deserts, mountain cloud forests, and coastal zones — all of which support distinct snake populations. Mexico's warm climate makes it a haven for cold-blooded reptiles like snakes. The mix of heat and humidity across many regions creates ideal habitats for both tree-dwelling (arboreal) and ground-dwelling (terrestrial) species. This country has a healthy population of frogs, rodents, birds, and lizards, all common snake prey, which helps sustain Mexico's snake population. In some rural regions, snakes play an important role in controlling pests in agriculture. How does Mexico compare to other countries? Here are the top five countries with the most documented snake species (source: The Reptile Database): Mexico 438 Brazil 420 Indonesia 376 India 305 Colombia 301 Brazil Brazil comes in the second position, which is often mistaken as the top contender. Its rich Amazon rainforest and Pantanal wetlands host iconic species like green anacondas, boa constrictors, and pit vipers. While Brazil may have more dense forest snakes, Mexico surpasses it in total species count. Indonesia As a massive island archipelago, Indonesia supports diverse tropical species including the reticulated python and king cobra. Many islands have endemic snake species found nowhere else on Earth. India India hosts more than 300 snake species, including the notorious 'Big Four' — the Indian cobra, common krait, Russell's viper, and saw-scaled viper — which are responsible for the majority of snakebite deaths in the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India records some of the highest snakebite fatalities in the world. Read more: 8 types of elephants found around the world and what makes them unique Are snakes a threat? Despite widespread fear, the majority of snake species are non-venomous and harmless to humans. Even venomous snakes play a critical role in keeping ecosystems balanced by controlling rodent and pest populations. In Mexico, snakes are protected under various regional conservation laws, although habitat loss and illegal collection for the exotic pet trade remain concerns. How are snake populations measured? Unlike mammals or birds, snakes are elusive and hard to count in the wild. Herpetologists use tools such as: Field surveys and biodiversity inventories Species distribution maps Reports from local communities Snakebite data (inferred human-snake interaction) While the exact number of individual snakes in a country is difficult to calculate, species diversity is a more reliable measure — and here, Mexico leads the pack. Snake awareness and coexistence As cities expand and natural habitats shrink, encounters between humans and snakes are becoming increasingly common, particularly in countries like India and Mexico, where many rural communities border snake-rich environments. There are many NGOs in various countries that work toward raising awareness about snake conservation and safe practices during encounters. In rural areas, education about snake identification and first aid can help reduce unnecessary killings and fatalities.
