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NDTV
15-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Rare Long-Snouted Vine Snake Spotted In UP's Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Lakhimpur Kheri: A brown morph, long-snouted vine snake, Ahaetulla longirostris, was discovered in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, in a landmark herpetological breakthrough, officials said Thursday. This rare and cryptic species was sighted and photographed alive in the grassland of Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary on Monday, officials said. "The discovery marked the second live record of this species from Uttar Pradesh, following its initial sighting during the 2024 rhino translocation initiative in the South Sonaripur range, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Division, Palia Kheri," said Dudhwa biologist Vipin Kapoor Sainy. He added the discovery marked the second live record of this species from Uttar Pradesh, following its initial sighting during the 2024 rhino translocation initiative in the South Sonaripur range, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Division, Palia- Kheri. The snake was observed during a coordinated tiger-tracking patrol by a team comprising wildlife biologists Vipin Kapoor Sainy, Apoorv Gupta, and Rohit Ravi (Senior Biologist, WWF India), along with veterinary expert Dr Talha, pharmacist Sandeep, and frontline staff Bhagiram and Nabisher Khan. During routine monitoring, biologist Sainy spotted the slender, elongated snake moving slowly across the grassland edge toward a forest road. Recognising its significance, the team conducted non-invasive photographic documentation and a brief health assessment, confirming the specimen's vitality and intact physical condition. The snake was safely released at the same location under the supervision of forest range officer Mohammad Ayub. Field Director, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) Dr H Raja Mohan lauded the biologists' team for the discovery and said: "Dudhwa is not just about tigers, elephants, or rhinos, it is an evolving repository of lesser-known and ecologically vital species." He added, "The discovery of Ahactulla longirostris, particularly the brown morph, which was never seen before in India, exemplifies the depth of biodiversity Dudhwa is blessed with." He further said, "Such observations were possible only because of the dedicated teams that combined scientific expertise with frontline conservation commitment." Elaborating upon the new discovery, Deputy Director, DTR Dr Rengaraju T said, " The re-appearance of Ahaetulla longirostris in the Terai plains, and that too in two distinct colour morphs, green and brown, pointed towards a broader ecological amplitude." He added, "The Kishanpur sighting opened new avenues to study polymorphism, microhabitat preferences, and species distribution in the Indo-Gangetic region." Dr Rengaraju T informed that the long-snouted Vine Snake was a mildly venomous snake distinguished by its laterally compressed body, sharply pointed snout, and horizontal pupils, features often leading to misidentification with closely related Ahaetulla species." These records placed Dudhwa at the forefront of herpetofaunal research in northern India. Dr Rengaraju said, "The Forest Department, along with scientific partners, is now planning to strengthen its biodiversity monitoring frameworks, encourage herpetological surveys, and build local capacity for the identification and conservation of cryptic species, ensuring that the full ecological spectrum of Dudhwa continues to be revealed." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary: Another rare snake species sighted in Dudhwa
Dudhwa biologists came across yet another rare species of a snake in Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary on Monday. It was later identified as Ahaetulla longirostris or long-snouted vine snake. The chance encounter came close on the heels of another major discovery in the reserve last week with the first confirmed report of the Condanarus Sand Snake (Psammophis condanarus) in Uttar Pradesh. Dudhwa biologist Vipin Kapoor Sainy described the discovery as a landmark herpetological breakthrough. He said that the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve had documented the first-ever live record of brown morph (brown-coloured skin) of Ahaetulla longirostris (long-snouted Vine Snake) in India. The rare and cryptic species was sighted and photographed alive in the grassland-forest mosaic of Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary on 12 May 2025, said Dr Rengaraju T, deputy director of Dudhwa National Park. The discovery marked the second live record of this species from Uttar Pradesh, following its initial sighting during the 2024 rhino translocation initiative in the South Sonaripur range, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Division, Palia-kheri. The snake was observed during a coordinated tiger-tracking patrol by a team comprising wildlife biologists Vipin Kapoor Sainy, Apoorv Gupta, and Rohit Ravi (senior biologist, WWF India), along with veterinary expert Dr Talha, pharmacist Sandeep, and frontline staff Bhagiram and Nabisher Khan. During routine monitoring, biologist Vipin Kapoor Sainy spotted the slender, elongated snake moving slowly across the grassland edge toward a forest road. Recognising its significance, the team conducted a non-invasive photographic documentation and a brief health assessment, confirming the specimen's vitality and physical condition. The snake was safely released at the same location under the supervision of forest range officer Mohammad Ayub. Field director, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) Dr H Raja Mohan lauded the biologists' team and said, 'Dudhwa is not just about tigers, elephants, or rhinos, it is an evolving repository of lesser-known and ecologically vital species.' He added, 'Discovery of Ahactulla longirostris, particularly the brown morph, which was never seen before in India, exemplifies the depth of biodiversity Dudhwa is blessed with.' He further said, 'Such observations were possible only because of the dedicated teams that combined scientific expertise with frontline conservation commitment.' Elaborating upon the new discovery, deputy director, DTR, Dr Rengaraju T said, 'the re-appearance of Ahaetulla longirostris in the Terai plains, and that too in two distinct colour morphs, green and brown, points towards a broader ecological amplitude. The Kishanpur sighting opens new avenues to study polymorphism, microhabitat preferences, and species distribution in the Indo-Gangetic region.' He described the long-snouted Vine Snake as a mildly venomous snake distinguished by its laterally compressed body, sharply pointed snout, and horizontal pupils, features often leading to misidentification with closely related Ahaetulla species.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Trail cameras capture second known sighting of elusive snake species: 'Continues to reveal its hidden treasures'
A rare snake species was spotted for only the second time in history in India, The Times of India reported. The elusive Ahaetulla longirostris was rediscovered in Uttar Pradesh's Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. The only other documented sighting of the snake was in Bihar in 2021. A rehabilitation team that was rereleasing rhinos into the vast reserve rediscovered the snake. In the process, it cleared a termite mound, and the snake appeared, much to its delight. Dudhwa National Park, which includes Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, covers 490 square kilometers near the India-Nepal border. It is known for its wide variety of species and incredible biodiversity. Conservation efforts, such as those at the tiger reserve, are essential to the health of our environment. Preserving and protecting all animal and plant species helps ensure that our ecosystems thrive, which is good for the health of everything from our air and water to our food supply This is only the latest rare animal sighting that suggests biodiversity and ecosystems continue to thrive despite the many environmental challenges we face. A trail camera in Vietnam recently caught a rare breed of mouse deer called the silver-backed chevrotain. And snow leopards in Kazakhstan have made a remarkable comeback. As of early this year, their population has rebounded to "near historic levels." The caretakers of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve were understandably thrilled with the discovery. "Dudhwa continues to reveal its hidden treasures. The rediscovery of Ahaetulla longirostris is a testament to the reserve's ecological richness and the necessity of sustained research and habitat conservation," said Raja Mohan, field director of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Rengaraju T, the deputy director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, was equally effusive: "The rediscovery of Ahaetulla longirostris … is a landmark achievement for Indian wildlife conservation. … This event highlights the critical role of even the smallest ecological components, such as termite mounds, which often go unnoticed but serve as vital microhabitats for rare species." Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
