Latest news with #AsianElephant
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Top Court Orders Probe Into Illegal Construction At Odisha's Satkosia Tiger Reserve
The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Union government, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), the Odisha state government, and other authorities in response to a petition challenging provisional No Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued for construction and tourism projects within and around Odisha's Satkosia Tiger Reserve. The petition, filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, seeks to halt construction activities, citing violations of environmental and wildlife protection laws. It raises urgent concerns about the unchecked expansion of tourism infrastructure in the ecologically sensitive Satkosia Tiger Reserve, a critical habitat notified in 2007. Spanning 1,136.70 sq. km, the reserve encompasses the Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, divided by the Mahanadi River. It is home to endangered species, including the Asian Elephant, Gharial, and Mugger crocodile, and is recognised as a Ramsar site for its rich aquatic and avian biodiversity. Mr Bansal's plea alleges that District Collectors in Angul, Nayagarh, Boudh, and Cuttack issued provisional NOCs without legal authority, bypassing the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and other environmental regulations. The petition highlights proposed projects, including a high-level bridge over the Mahanadi River and commercial hotels and resorts, which lack mandatory clearances from the Chief Wildlife Warden and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). It further notes the absence of a finalised Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the reserve, with Odisha's draft ESZ controversially proposing "zero" buffer zones in areas near the ecologically vital Satkosia Gorge, contrary to NTCA's 2018 guidelines mandating a minimum 1-km buffer. "State agencies are undermining critical safeguards under forest, wildlife, and environmental laws through unauthorised constructions and a tourism-driven model that disregards conservation mandates," Mr Bansal argued in the plea. He criticised Odisha's apparent shift from conservation to commercialisation, alleging violations of NTCA's 2012 guidelines and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's (MoEFCC) 2021 eco-tourism norms, which emphasise low-impact, community-based tourism and prohibit permanent structures in protected areas. Satkosia, one of India's 50 tiger reserves, is a linchpin in the country's biodiversity conservation strategy, particularly for its role in supporting endangered species and maintaining ecological balance along the Mahanadi River. The absence of a finalised ESZ, a recurring issue across India's protected areas, exacerbates vulnerabilities, allowing commercial projects to encroach on wildlife habitats. Environmentalists argue that unchecked tourism infrastructure could disrupt animal migration corridors, degrade water systems, and threaten the reserve's Ramsar status.
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Welcomes a Baby Asian Elephant — and Has Another on the Way This Fall
The 215-lb. baby was born on July 23, following a 22-month pregnancy The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has expanded its animal family by one — and it has plans to do the same again before year's end. A female Asian elephant calf was born at the Ohio-based attraction on Wednesday, July 23, at 4:26 a.m. local time, according to a news release from the zoo. The 215-lb. baby was born to Sundara, a.k.a. 'Sunny," after a 22-month pregnancy. The zoo said both Sunny and her calf — who has not yet been given a name — "are doing well" and are "currently bonding behind the scenes." "The little one is nursing, staying close to mom and beginning to explore with a curious trunk and wobbly steps," the zoo added. The organization then joked, "While trunk coordination may take a little practice, the new arrival is already capturing hearts." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The newborn elephant's father, Sabu, is currently at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. He spent time at the Columbus Zoo during a temporary stay that was made possible through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan Program, which centers on "the breeding of specific animal species in captivity, ensuring their long-term survival and genetic diversity," per its website. Asian elephants are listed as endangered across southern and southeastern Asia, their native range, according to the Red List of Threatened Species from the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These animals are suffering from habitat loss, degradation and poaching, and the International Elephant Foundation estimates that only 40,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants remain on the Earth. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! The latest addition marks the first of two planned elephant births at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2025. Phoebe, a 38-year-old Asian elephant, is also expecting a calf this fall, according to the zoo. 'This is an incredibly special moment for our entire team and community,' Tom Schmid, the President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and the Wilds, said in a statement. 'Welcoming Sunny's calf is an exciting milestone and an important step forward in our ongoing commitment to the conservation of Asian elephants. He added: "Every birth brings hope and reminds us why this work matters for the future of their species.' Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Welcomes a Baby Asian Elephant — and Has Another on the Way This Fall
The 215-lb. baby was born on July 23, following a 22-month pregnancy The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has expanded its animal family by one — and it has plans to do the same again before year's end. A female Asian elephant calf was born at the Ohio-based attraction on Wednesday, July 23, at 4:26 a.m. local time, according to a news release from the zoo. The 215-lb. baby was born to Sundara, a.k.a. 'Sunny," after a 22-month pregnancy. The zoo said both Sunny and her calf — who has not yet been given a name — "are doing well" and are "currently bonding behind the scenes." "The little one is nursing, staying close to mom and beginning to explore with a curious trunk and wobbly steps," the zoo added. The organization then joked, "While trunk coordination may take a little practice, the new arrival is already capturing hearts." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The newborn elephant's father, Sabu, is currently at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. He spent time at the Columbus Zoo during a temporary stay that was made possible through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan Program, which centers on "the breeding of specific animal species in captivity, ensuring their long-term survival and genetic diversity," per its website. Asian elephants are listed as endangered across southern and southeastern Asia, their native range, according to the Red List of Threatened Species from the International Union for Conservation of Nature. These animals are suffering from habitat loss, degradation and poaching, and the International Elephant Foundation estimates that only 40,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants remain on the Earth. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! The latest addition marks the first of two planned elephant births at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2025. Phoebe, a 38-year-old Asian elephant, is also expecting a calf this fall, according to the zoo. 'This is an incredibly special moment for our entire team and community,' Tom Schmid, the President and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and the Wilds, said in a statement. 'Welcoming Sunny's calf is an exciting milestone and an important step forward in our ongoing commitment to the conservation of Asian elephants. He added: "Every birth brings hope and reminds us why this work matters for the future of their species.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Should You Sunscreen Your Cat?
The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. For all of the eons that animal life has existed on Earth, the sun has been there too. And for all of those eons, animal life has had only one solution for intense exposure to the sun: evolution. Some creatures have thick, dark skin that's resistant to UV harm; others sprout fur, scales, or feathers that block the sun's rays. Many fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds may produce a compound that protects their cells against the sun's damaging effects. Hippos, weirdly, ooze a reddish, mucus-y liquid from their pores that absorbs light before it can destroy their skin. And plenty of creatures have evolved behaviors that take advantage of their environment—rolling around in dirt or mud, simply retreating into the shade. But certain modern animals have sun problems that natural selection can't easily solve. Some reside at zoos that can't perfectly replicate their habitat; others live at latitudes that their ancestors didn't experience. Others spend too much time sunbathing in a living-room window, or sport sparse or light-colored fur or hair because their domesticators liked the way it looked. For these animals, people have come up with a shorter-term solution: sunscreen. If, that is, a creature is willing to accept the treatment. Indu, an Asian elephant who lived at the Phoenix Zoo, was game. A few years ago, Heather Wright, one of the zookeepers, noticed the tops of Indu's ears pinking, peeling, and flaking in the summer heat, much like her human keepers' did. So her caretakers picked up some zinc-oxide-based sunblock—specially formulated for sensitive (human) skin—and dabbed it on the elephant. Indu, to be fair, was used to a level of care most wild animals don't enjoy. 'We had already been applying lotion,' to manage dryness, Wright told me. The elephant knew the drill: Once in the barn, she'd lumber up to a window with an opening for her ear and stick the appendage through. As far as zoo staff members could tell, the treatment helped. 'There's nothing magical' about other animals' skin, Leslie Easterwood, a large-animal veterinarian at Texas A&M University, told me: Bake it in the sun, and it will burn. Scientists have spotted whales suffering from sunburns; cats, dogs, horses—even alpacas, turtles, and penguins—can develop all kinds of skin cancers. Pigs, in particular, 'have skin most similar to humans,' Mitchell Song, a veterinary dermatologist based in Arizona told me. At Zoo Miami, keepers have spread mud on older, arthritic wild pigs who can't wallow as well as they did in their youth; they've also applied sunscreen to a babirusa, a species of swine native to Indonesia's forests, and to a Kunekune pig, Gwen Myers, the zoo's chief of animal health, told me. In some sunny places, vets commonly recommend sunscreen for pets and other domesticated creatures, especially light-colored dogs and horses. Steve Valeika, a veterinarian in North Carolina, advises the same for 'white cats that go outside.' This particular conundrum is one of our own making. 'You don't see a lot of white-skinned animals in the wild,' Anthea Schick, a veterinary dermatologist in Arizona, told me. Only thanks to generations of selective breeding have they become a frequent presence in and around people's homes. Of course, to sunscreen your pet, you have to … sunscreen your pet. Some pet owners, vets told me, are definitely flummoxed by the suggestion: 'It's not widely discussed,' Schick told me. Vets are more unified in recommending teeth brushing for cats—and most cat owners still just decide they'd rather not. But some animals would certainly benefit from block: Schick told me she's seen her fair share of badly burned dogs, especially after long bouts of sunbathing that scorch their bellies. 'We see a lot of sun-induced skin cancers that could be avoided,' she said. Pit bulls, Dalmatians, and other short-haired breeds are especially vulnerable; even long-haired white cats are sensitive around their eyes, their nose, and the tips of their ears. And Easterwood estimates that the majority of paint horses, left unprotected, will eventually develop skin issues. Squamous-cell-carcinoma cases make up the majority of her workload: 'I see it every single day,' she said. The vets I spoke with generally agreed: Don't bother with sprays, which a lot of animals find annoying or downright terrifying; reapply often, and well; it is way, way, way harder to sunscreen a cat than a dog, though some brave souls manage it. But although some vets recommended human sunscreens, formulated for kids or sensitive skin, others told me they preferred blends marketed for animals. (The FDA has dubbed just one pet sunscreen, made by a company called Epi-Pet and marketed to dogs and horses, 'FDA compliant'—not the same as FDA approval, which requires rigorous safety testing.) Several warned against zinc oxide, which can be toxic to animals if ingested in large quantities; others felt that zinc oxide was worth the risk, unless administered to a tongue-bathing cat. Regardless of the product they're offered, most animals generally aren't as eager as Indu to subject themselves to a human-led sun-protection ritual. And even she was usually plied with a five-gallon bucket of fruits and vegetables while her keepers tended her ears. At Zoo Miami, keeper Madison Chamizo told me she and her colleagues had to spend months training an okapi—an African mammal closely related to a giraffe—to accept caretakers gently scrubbing sunscreen onto her back with a modified Scotch-Brite dishwand, after she lost some patches of hair on her back to a fungal infection. But for creatures in very sunny parts of the world, the alternatives are, essentially, being cooped up indoors, kept away from windows, or wrestled into full-body sunsuits. (Some dogs don't mind; cats, once again, are unlikely to comply.) And some sun-related problems, sunscreen can't fix. Gary West, the Phoenix Zoo's vet, told me he suspects that UV glare has caused eye inflammation in some of his animals; Myers, in Miami, worries about the sensitive skin around some species' eyes. 'They're not really going to wear sunglasses for us,' Myers told me. So she and her colleagues have started to wonder: 'Gosh, is this an animal that we could put a sun visor on?' Article originally published at The Atlantic Solve the daily Crossword
Deccan Herald
16-07-2025
- Science
- Deccan Herald
Karnataka govt signs MoU with IISc to curb human-elephant conflict
Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to use modern technology for conserving elephant corridors and habitats, aiming to reduce rising human-elephant conflict and protect crops of farmers living near forest fringes. The Forest Department, in collaboration with the IISc, is set to implement a five-year collaborative project titled "Landscape-Level Management of the Asian Elephant in the Mysore Elephant Reserve." The Rs 4.74 crore project will be funded by the Forest Department and monitored through biannual review meetings, annual reports, and a real-time data dashboard. Speaking at the MoU signing event, Khandre said the human-elephant conflict is particularly severe in regions like Hassan and Kodagu, leading to frequent crop loss and even fatalities. The department is taking all possible measures to address the issue, he said, adding that the conflict is now spreading to other regions as well. The agreement aims to protect elephant corridors and habitats by integrating environmental research with on-ground implementation. Karnataka is home to 6,395 wild elephants, making it one of the most significant elephant ranges in Asia. The project will use modern technologies such as satellite telemetry, camera traps, and GIS models to identify key corridors and obstacles to elephant movement. It will also assess the physical and stress levels of elephants by analysing hormones in dung samples. Additionally, the project will study crop damage patterns, monitor elephants involved in conflict, and raise awareness among farmers. As part of the initiative, research will focus on developing early warning systems that alert communities when elephants approach human settlements. It will also explore sound-based deterrents to drive elephants away safely. Forest officials said researchers from the department and IISc will collect data on elephant behaviour and movement to identify active corridors and predict future conflict zones over the next decade. The project will be implemented across major forest divisions and protected areas under the Mysore Elephant Reserve, including tiger reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and adjoining agricultural zones. According to a statement from the Forest Department, the research will be conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) at IISc, the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation, Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning (FERAL), and the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS). The project will also support the development of innovative tools such as soft-release protocols for relocated elephants, GPS-zap collars, buzzers, and community-supported fencing to manage displaced elephants, the statement added.
