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Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Rare moment captures tiger and peacock in the same frame, a majestic tribute to India's heritage
A rare and breathtaking moment has been captured on video showing India's national animal and bird in the same frame. The tiger and the peacock, both symbols of India's rich heritage, appeared together in an unusual sight. Rare glimpse of India's national animal and bird in one frame.(@Rakesh Bhatt/X) The video, which has quickly gone viral on X (formerly Twitter), shows the tiger quietly moving behind the peacock as they both walk through their natural habitat. Moments like this are rare. The video has taken on special meaning today as the nation celebrates Independence Day 2025. The tiger stands for strength and courage, while the peacock reflects grace and vibrancy, qualities that capture the spirit of India. The video was captured by Rakesh Bhatt and later shared on X by Dr PM Dhakate, Chief Conservator of Forests (IFS), with the caption, 'An amazing video, our national animal and bird, together in one frame! A perfect symbol of India's vibrant spirit.' Check out the video here: Rare moment: Both tigers and peacocks are hard to spot together in the wild, making this moment extraordinary. X users are stunned by the rare sight of India's national animal and bird appearing together in the same frame. The tiger moves quietly behind the peacock, creating a breathtaking moment. One of the users, Akkshye Tulsyan, commented, 'What a rare and beautiful sight, the tiger's strength and the peacock's grace in harmony. A fitting tribute to India's rich natural heritage on this Independence Day.' Another user, Vandana, commented, 'How lovely and peaceful this scene is (for now)' The rare footage has added to the day's celebrations, offering a unique glimpse of two of India's most iconic species in their natural habitat. Moments like these highlight the country's rich biodiversity, which remains one of its greatest treasures.
Hans India
a day ago
- General
- Hans India
‘Mohanmala' oldest and last matriarch at Kaziranga National Park dies
Guwahati: Assam's Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve was overwhelmed by grief when one of its oldest members, 'Mohanmala', passed away on Thursday. The majestic Mohanmala, estimated to be 70 or 80 years old, was the oldest elephant and the last matriarch at the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, officials said. KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said that a 'Shraddhanjali' sabha was held at Mihimukh in the central range of the park, and last rites were performed by the officials. Ghosh said the KNPTR authorities expressed deep sorrow at the passing of one of its most iconic and beloved departmental elephants, 'Mohanmala' of Kohora Range. According to the KNPTR Director, Mohanmala was brought to Kaziranga on May 17, 1970, procured from Kamrup during the tenure of the then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Durga Prasad Neog. Over the past five decades, she served the park with exceptional dedication, becoming an inseparable part of Kaziranga's conservation history. 'Known for her fearlessness, obedience, and docile temperament, Mohanmala was an excellent swimmer and a dependable companion during the challenging flood seasons. At times when even forest frontline staff could not reach their camps by boat or go about their patrolling duties, it was Mohanmala who carried them on her back, ensuring critical duties were never disrupted,' she said. Ghosh said that Mohanmala served across different ranges of Kaziranga and played an active role in anti-poaching operations, fearlessly aiding the staff in the most difficult terrains and situations. She gave birth to two female calves - 'Malati', who sadly passed away at the young age of 17 years, and another calf that tragically died just three days after birth, having fallen prey to a tiger, the senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer said. Mohanmala retired from active departmental duties in 2003. One memorable account, shared by her head mahout, Kiran Rabha, stands as a lasting testament to Mohanmala's bravery and her instinct to protect those she trusted. 'On an early winter morning, while on patrol near the wetland known as Mihibeel, Rabha was mounted on Mohanmala, accompanied by her calf Malati. The stillness of the morning was suddenly shattered when a wild bull elephant emerged and charged aggressively towards them. The enraged bull closed the distance rapidly, trumpeting. In a display of raw power, it uprooted a large tree and flung it aside. In that split second of danger, Mohanmala, sensing the imminent threat to her mahout and calf, made a decisive move. Without hesitation, she turned towards the deep waters of Mihibeel, waters she knew well from her flood-time journeys and plunged in, urging Malati to follow,' the KNPTR Director recounted. The official added with powerful strokes, she ferried Rabha across the wetland, putting a safe distance between them and the charging bull. Only once she reached the far bank and ensured her mahout was safe did she vanish into the surrounding forest with her calf. For weeks, her whereabouts were unknown. Then, one day, Mohanmala returned to her camp along with Malati, calm and unharmed, possibly after about a month, marking a poignant reminder of their survival, resilience, and the unspoken bond between elephant and human, the park official said. Ghosh said that with her passing, Kaziranga National Park has lost not just a working member, but a trusted colleague, a flood-time saviour, and a symbol of loyalty and courage. Her decades of service would remain etched in the park's history, and her absence would be deeply felt by all who worked alongside her, the KNPTR Director pointed out. The KNPTR, India's seventh UNESCO World Heritage site, comprises three forest divisions -- the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bokakhat; the Bishwanath Wildlife Division, Biswanath Chariali; and the Nagaon Wildlife Division, Nagaon. Home to a remarkable population of the "Big Five", it comprises 2,613 Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses as of the 2022 census, 104 Bengal Tigers ( as of 2022), 1,228 Asian Elephants in 2024, 2,565 Wild Water Buffaloes in 2022, and 1,129 Eastern Swamp Deer also recorded in 2022.
United News of India
05-08-2025
- General
- United News of India
TN has 1,303 Nilgiri Tahr
Chennai, Aug 5 (UNI) Tamil Nadu a total population of 1,303 Nilgiri Tahr according to a report released today after the Second Synchronized Survey of Nilgiri Tahr. The Project Nilgiri Tahr is a species specific conservation project to conserve the state animal of Tamil Nadu. The Project Nilgiri Tahr was launched by Chief Minister M K Stalin on October 12, 2023 with an outlay of Rs.25.14 crore. It has nine different components which are focusing on Nilgiri Tahr protection, conservation, management of population, assessing its home range, technological interventions, adoption of different scientific methodologies on par with international standards, involving elite international and national experts in different aspects of projects. One among the activity of Project Nilgiri Tahr is Annual Synchronized Survey of Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Nadu. Since inception of the project, the first synchronized survey was carried out in 140 survey blocks in the year 2024 for three consecutive days with selected regions of Kerala. Currently the second synchronized survey was conducted in 177 survey blocks of 14 Nilgiri Tahr holding forest divisions in Tamil Nadu for four days from April 24 to 27, 2025. The survey was conducted in the month of April, coinciding with the sightings of both mothers and young within the population. The Nilgiri Tahr young one is born between December and January. Hence, the April month is ideal for sighting of adult female and young, and the environmental conditions is favourable with greater visibility. The second synchronized survey of Nilgiri Tahr report was released at Guindy Children's Park here today. Tamil Nadu Forest Minister R.S. Rajakannappan released the survey report in the presence of Ms Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forest, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Dr. Yash Veer Bhatnagar - IUCN Country Representative, among others. The second synchronized survey report of the Nilgiri Tahr was released in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department. In this event, A. Forest and Wildlife Protection Minister of Kerala, participated in the program online. MORE UNI GV 1730
Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Leopard found dead in Karnataka's BRT reserve, suspected poisoning triggers probe
A male leopard was found dead at a stone quarry near Kothalavadi village in Karnataka's Biligiri Ranganatha (BRT) Tiger Reserve, forest officials said on Saturday. The incident has raised serious concerns over potential wildlife poisoning in the protected area. (Representational Image) According to news agency PTI, the incident has raised serious concerns over potential wildlife poisoning in the protected area. The leopard, estimated to be around five to six years old, was discovered on Thursday alongside the carcasses of a dog and a calf, prompting officials to suspect that the animal may have died after consuming poisoned bait. Also read: 'I'd speak English in Bengaluru, not Kannada': Viral post says no point learning languages of poor economies 'Preliminary evidence suggests poisoning. A post-mortem has been conducted, and we've collected samples for forensic analysis,' said a senior forest department official. The samples have been sent to a laboratory in Mysuru for examination, and authorities have registered a case and launched an investigation. Forest officials are awaiting the lab results to confirm the cause of death and identify those responsible, if foul play is established. This incident comes shortly after another wildlife tragedy in the region, the death of a tigress and her four cubs in the Hugyam range of the Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) on June 26. That case also raised concerns about the safety of big cats in Karnataka's forest reserves. Following this, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre suspended two officials for negligence and dereliction of duty in connection with the 'unnatural death' of five tigers. The minister has also recommended the suspension of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Y Chakrapani in connection with the issue, they said. Following the incident, authorities arrested three individuals, including the cow's owner, who allegedly poisoned the cow's carcass, suspected of causing the tigers' deaths. Khandre's decision came after reviewing the preliminary report submitted by a high-level inquiry committee headed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) Kumar Pushkar, which was set up to probe the incident. Also Read: 'Difficult to find a chair': DK Shivakumar's remark sparks buzz in Karnataka amid Siddaramaiah's full-term pledge
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka forest minister orders probe into 'unnatural death' of tigress, four cubs
Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday ordered a probe into the "unnatural death" of a tigress and four cubs in Male Mahadeshwara Hills under the Hugyam forest range. Bengaluru: Mortal remains of a tigress after it died with four cubs at Male Mahadeshwara Hills under the Hugyam forest range, in Bengaluru.(PTI) The tigress and the cubs were found dead during routine morning patrol by vigilant frontline staff, officials said. Expressing sorrow over the incident, Khandre immediately ordered an investigation into the matter, which will be led by a team under the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF). As per preliminary information, the tigers died allegedly due to poisoning. However, a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of death, they said. "The area has been immediately cordoned off and declared a protected zone. Standard Scene of Crime (SoC) protocols have been invoked, with a 500-meter sweep radius activated to preserve and collect all physical evidence. A five-member team expert has undertaken a comprehensive necropsy following NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) protocols," Khandre said, in a statement. The minister said comprehensive tissue, blood, and stomach samples are being processed for toxicology, histopathology, and DNA profiling. In accordance with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and NTCA guidelines, a high-level inquiry committee has been initiated following the orders of the Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka. The committee shall submit a comprehensive report within 14 days, he said. Following the incident, the forest department has strengthened monitoring and anti-poaching vigilance across the Hugyam range. According to Kandre, real-time drone surveillance, infrared cameras, and GPS-based M-STRIPES patrols have been escalated across the range and all Anti-Poaching Camps (APCs) are on high alert. Intensive sweeps for snares, poison baits and traps are being conducted and a confidential informer network with reward mechanisms is operational for actionable intelligence, he said. The minister has issued instructions to the Additional Chief Secretary and the Chief Wildlife Warden of the forest department, stating that the government is taking the deaths of five tigers very seriously and has directed that action be taken against those found guilty. Referring to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's Project Tiger for the protection of endangered tigers, the minister noted that Karnataka has also taken proactive steps in tiger conservation. With 563 tigers, the state ranks second in the country. He added that it is deeply painful that five tigers died unnaturally in a single day in a state known for its tiger conservation. "If negligence by forest staff is found, or if the deaths were caused by electrocution, poisoning, or any other reason, criminal cases should be filed against those responsible and appropriate action taken," he stated. "The Karnataka Forest Department upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy against wildlife crime. Any evidence of foul play, negligence, or human interference will invite stringent legal action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972," he added. The Minister appealed to local communities, wildlife enthusiasts, and the general public to stand united in this moment of loss. "Tiger conservation is a collective responsibility. A 24x7 confidential helpline has been activated at the Division Office to receive credible tips on wildlife crimes," he added.
