Latest news with #Spix
Khaleej Times
27-03-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Vantara Wildlife Rescue Centre in Jamnagar sets new standards in conservation
Vantara, a leading wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre, is redefining conservation efforts with its state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to ecological restoration. Spanning over 3,000 acres, the centre is home to more than 2,000 rescued animals across 43 species, including elephants, big cats, birds, and reptiles. Each habitat is meticulously designed to mirror the animals' natural environment, ensuring their physical and psychological well-being. The facility's 600-acre elephant habitat features an advanced veterinary hospital equipped with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, laser treatment, and even a jacuzzi for arthritis relief - setting new benchmarks in animal welfare. Its 100,000 sq. ft. medical research centre, outfitted with MRI, X-ray, ICU, and CT scan facilities, enables swift diagnoses and tailored treatment for rescued wildlife. Among its notable achievements is its role in the reintroduction of the Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii), a species once declared extinct in the wild. The centre collaborated with the Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots (ACTP) to facilitate the bird's return to its natural habitat in Brazil. Additionally, this centre has played a pivotal role in rescuing elephants from Arunachal Pradesh, where they faced severe threats due to deforestation and conflict. Vantara has also contributed significantly to research supporting the development of vaccines and medical treatments tailored to endangered species. This initiative includes the involvement of Vantara, an animal rehabilitation and conservation centre established by the Reliance Group under Anant Ambani who was recently honoured with the Prani Mitra Awards by Animal Welfare Board of India. Vantara's efforts have been instrumental in advancing wildlife welfare standards through innovative medical care, habitat creation, and ecological restoration. The centre has also developed specialized enrichment programmes for animals to stimulate their natural instincts and improve their overall well-being. Vantara's educational initiatives further raise awareness about the importance of wildlife protection, engaging schools, communities, and environmentalists to promote conservation practices. "What started as a passion for me at a very young age has become a mission now with Vantara and our brilliant and committed team. We are focused on protecting critically endangered species native to India," said Anant Ambani in an interview. "We also want to restore vital habitats, address urgent threats to species and establish Vantara as a leading-edge conservation programme. We are delighted that our efforts have been recognised in India and internationally," he added. The ongoing conservation efforts align with broader environmental goals, including initiatives focused on sustainable rehabilitation and wildlife protection. As conservation challenges mount, Vantara stands as a beacon of hope for wildlife protection, sustainable rehabilitation, and ecological restoration, demonstrating the power of dedicated efforts in shaping a better future for endangered species.
Miami Herald
21-02-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Odd-colored creature seen falling from tree turns out to be first-of-its-kind sighting
In a rainforest of central Belize, a wildlife ranger saw an oddly colored animal fall out of a tree. The fleeting glimpse sparked a larger search project — and revealed a first-of-its-kind sighting. Mark Faux, a field technician, visited Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society research station in March 2023 for a trail-cleaning project. While there, he saw a 'small group' of bats 'falling to the ground' when their roost 'was cut,' according to a study published Feb. 13 in the peer-reviewed journal Neotropical Biology and Conservation. One of the bats looked 'completely white,' an unusual color for the animal, so Faux reported the sighting to wildlife rangers at the station. Intrigued, the rangers decided to track down the oddly colored animal and, later that year, they succeeded, the study said. The team found a colony of Thyroptera tricolor, or Spix's disc-winged bats, with a 'leucistic adult male,' the study said. A photo shows the white bat inside its typical roost, a specific type of 'rolled' up leaf. Spix's disc-winged bats normally have 'dark brown fur' with some 'reddish brown' patches and a lighter underside, but this bat had 'uniform white' fur, researchers said. 'Although chromatic (color) disorders are widely reported in the animal kingdom, few reports of true leucism have been published in Neotropical bats,' the study said. 'Our observations represent the first documented case of leucism in Spix's disc-winged bat or any chromatic disorder in the Thyropteridae (disc-winged bat) family.' Leucism is often confused with albinism. Albino animals lack pigment in their fur and have eyes which 'appear red,' the study said. Leucistic animals also lack pigment in their fur, but their 'eyes retain their normal color.' Later, in April 2024, rangers documented another sighting of a male Spix's disc-winged bat with leucism. Researchers suspect all three sightings are 'the same individual moving between' roosting locations but don't know for sure. A close-up photo shows the pale Spix's disc-winged bat, which has 'adhesive discs' for hands and feet. The bat was fully grown and part of a close-knit colony, indicating its odd coloring had 'potentially little effect' on its survival and socialization, the study said. Spix's disc-winged bats are considered vulnerable in Belize 'due to its restricted distribution and specific roosting requirements,' researchers said. Their main threats include 'climate change and localized commercial harvesting of Heliconia leaves (their preferred roost) for tamales.' Belize is a coastal country in Central America, bordering Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the south and west. The research team included Vanessa Martin, Vanessa Kilburn, Mathieu Charette and Bruce Miller.
