Latest news with #ThackerayWildlifeFoundation
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
New tool launched to guide ecological restoration in the Western Ghats
PlantWise, a new interactive web tool, has been launched to help ecologists, restoration practitioners, and forest managers identify native evergreen tree species best suited for ecological restoration in the Western Ghats, one of the world's eight 'hottest' biodiversity hotspots. Developed by researchers from the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), BITS Pilani - Hyderabad campus, and Thackeray Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with the Ecological Restoration Alliance, the tool uses species distribution models based on curated plant occurrence data and environmental variables to predict plant distributions. It suggests a list of appropriate evergreen tree species for a particular site based on its climatic and elevational profile. The initiative aims to support ecological restoration practitioners in choosing the right tree species for planting. The tool focuses on the evergreen tree species, as more than 60% of evergreen tree species found in the Western Ghats are endemic to the region. Addressing knowledge gap 'Given that primary evergreen forest patches that extended initially across most of the Western Ghats are now highly fragmented and scattered, planting appropriate tree species in suitable habitats is essential. Scientifically guided recovery of degraded forests is critical towards conserving flora and fauna in the Western Ghats and creating a climate-resilient ecosystem,' said a statement from NCF. 'A lack of accurate and spatially explicit distribution maps of species is one of the big challenges in the field of conservation and ecological restoration. For plants, without this information, it is difficult to determine if a species is native to a region or not, knowing which is fundamental to the process of ecological restoration. PlantWise is developed precisely to address this knowledge gap,' explained Navendu Page, plant ecologist with Thackeray Wildlife Foundation with tremendous experience with studying plants in the Western Ghats. Clubbing sciences The tool integrates publicly available datasets of Mr. Page and French Institute of Pondicherry and data collected by NCF and R. Krishnamani from fieldwork in the Western Ghats. 'PlantWise shows how data science and ecological understanding can come together to serve biodiversity conservation,' said Viswesh Suri, BTech student from Bits Pilani - Hyderabad campus, who led the development of the tool as part of his project with Akanksha Rathore, professor at BITS Pilani – Hyderabad campus. Ms. Rathore pointed out that PlantWise is an example of how tools from computer science and ecological knowledge can come together to address urgent biodiversity challenges. According to Rohit Naniwadekar, scientist at NCF, the tool has been designed to reflect biogeographic patterns and to minimise commission errors, so that species are not recommended for habitats where they don't naturally belong. The team hopes to add more tree, shrub, and liana species from the Western Ghats and expand the tool for other regions in India. Users can access PlantWise at and write to plantwise30@ with comments or queries.
Express Tribune
22-02-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Long-Lost Fish Species Resurfaces After 85 Years, Shocking Scientists
For over eight decades, the Chel snakehead (Channa amphibious) was thought to be extinct, disappearing into the pages of history like a mystery no one could solve. That is—until now. In a discovery that feels straight out of a nature documentary, researchers in India have confirmed the species is very much alive, lurking in the waters of the Chel River in West Bengal. The last recorded sighting of the freshwater species dated back to somewhere between 1918 and 1933, with no trace of it since. Scientists assumed it had vanished forever, another victim of environmental changes. But in 2024, after years of searching, researchers stumbled upon three living specimens on the banks of the Chel River. And, in a plot twist no one saw coming, it turns out the fish was never really gone—it had been right under their noses the entire time, regularly consumed by a local tribe that had unknowingly kept the species thriving. A Discovery That Took Decades The search for the Chel snakehead had been ongoing for decades. Every attempt to locate it ended in disappointment, leaving experts convinced it had succumbed to extinction. However, once researchers caught wind of local communities consuming a fish that matched the description of the long-lost species, the chase was back on. Months of effort finally led them to the elusive creature, confirming what had once seemed impossible: the Chel snakehead was still alive. Described as "large and vibrant" by the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation, the Chel snakehead stands out for its chrome-yellow to orange stripes, a bright neon patch beneath the eye, and a uniquely high number of lateral-line scales—the most among all snakeheads in the Gachua group. Why This Discovery Matters Beyond the excitement of rediscovering a species that had been presumed extinct, this finding is a big win for biodiversity conservation. The Thackeray Wildlife Foundation highlighted its significance, stating: 'This long-standing mystery in Indian ichthyology reinforces the importance of continued exploration and highlights the persistence of biodiversity, even in species once thought lost to time.' The discovery of the Chel snakehead serves as a reminder that nature still holds secrets, and many species we assume to be extinct may simply be hiding in plain sight. What's Next? Now that the Chel snakehead has officially re-entered the scientific record, conservationists will likely push for more research and protection efforts to ensure its survival. This rediscovery could also spark renewed searches for other species thought to be extinct, proving that our planet still has plenty of surprises left in store.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
One of the 'World's Rarest' Fish, Thought to Be Extinct, Rediscovered After 85 Years
A rare fish species thought to be extinct for over 80 years was rediscovered in India. The journal Zootaxa announced on Friday, Jan. 31, that a Chel snakehead, also known as Channa amphibious, was rediscovered after it was presumed to be extinct. The freshwater species was not seen for over eight decades after the last recorded specimens were collected between 1918 and 1933 in the Himalayan region of India. But in 2024, three specimens were collected on the banks of the Chel River in the town of Kalimpong in West Bengal. Researchers learned that the Chel snakehead was being consumed by a local tribe, according to ABC News. Related: 'Doomsday Fish' Washes Ashore on Mexico Beach: 'Nobody's Gonna Believe This' The search for the large fish continued throughout the past several decades, per ABC News. Once the researchers learned of their existence, it took months to locate the fish and confirm the species was not extinct. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Related: Gray Whale Extinct in the Atlantic for 200 Years Seen Near Nantucket: 'An Incredibly Rare Event' 'Commonly known as the Chel Snakehead, this large and vibrant species is distinguished by chrome-yellow to orange stripes, a bright neon patch beneath the eye, and the highest number of lateral-line scales among all snakeheads of the Gachua group,' Thackeray Wildlife Foundation posted on Facebook. 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 foundation noted that the recent discovery of 'this long-standing mystery in Indian ichthyology reinforces the importance of continued exploration" and "highlights the persistence of biodiversity, even in species once thought lost to time." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers have rediscovered an elusive fish species thought to be extinct for 85 years
Researchers have rediscovered a rare fish species presumed to be extinct after it was not seen for more than eight decades. The last sighting of the Chel snakehead, or Channa amphibeus, was last recorded from specimens collected between 1918 and 1933 in the Himalayan region of India, leading scientists to believe the species had died out, according to a paper published recently in the journal Zootaxa. MORE: Giant tubeworms part of thriving ecosystem found under the seafloor in the Pacific But three specimens collected in 2024 -- as well as photographic evidence -- have confirmed that the species persisted over the last century despite remaining undetected. The specimens were located on the banks of the Chel River in the town of Kalimpong in West Bengal after researchers caught wind that it was being consumed by a local tribe, the paper states. There were repeated searches for the Chel snakehead in the last several decades, wildlife biologist Forrest Galante wrote on Instagram. It took months for the researchers to locate the fish, but they were able to positively confirm its existence. MORE: 'Starry night' toad rediscovered in Colombia after nearly 3 decades The Chel snakehead specimens were located in the Chel River system, the ecosystem in which it is endemic, according to the paper. The freshwater species -- considered the most elusive of the snakeheads -- is known for its bright green scales and yellow stripes. It is also the largest amount of snakeheads, according to the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation, the Mumbai-based wildlife conservation involved in the rediscovery. "The resolution of this long-standing mystery in Indian ichthyology reinforces the importance of continued exploration and highlights the persistence of biodiversity, even in species once thought lost to time," said Tejas Thackeray, founder of the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation, in a Facebook post. Researchers have rediscovered an elusive fish species thought to be extinct for 85 years originally appeared on
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers stunned after netting 'vanished' species 80 years after last sighting: 'The resolution of this long-standing mystery'
For more than 80 years, the Chel snakehead (Channa amphibeus) was thought to be extinct. The fish species, first described in 1840 in India's Chel River system, had gone unrecorded for decades — until now. A team of researchers, including wildlife experts Jayasimhan Praveenraj and Tejas Thackeray of the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation, recently rediscovered the rare fish in the Himalayan region of India, as detailed by Mid-day. Their findings, published in the journal Zootaxa earlier this year, confirm that the species is still alive. Known for its striking appearance, the Chel snakehead has iridescent-green scales and unique yellow bars along its body. It is one of the largest and most vibrant species within its group, featuring chrome-yellow to orange stripes and a bright neon patch beneath its eye. The Chel snakehead also holds the record for the highest number of lateral-line scales among all snakeheads in the Gachua group, per the rediscovery of this elusive species reinforces the importance of continued exploration. Despite repeated searches over the years, the Chel snakehead remained undetected, leading some experts to believe it was extinct. Now, its survival highlights the resilience of biodiversity and raises hopes that other species thought to be lost could still be out there, waiting to be found. This isn't the first time an "extinct" species has resurfaced. The giant salmon carp, a huge fish native to Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, was rediscovered in 2020. In 2023, researchers captured the first-ever live images of Attenborough's long-beaked echidna, a spiny mammal so elusive that it hadn't been documented in over 60 years. These discoveries prove that nature is more resilient than often assumed. While the Chel snakehead survived without human intervention, its rediscovery is a reminder that many species aren't so lucky. Protecting fragile ecosystems is more urgent than ever, with habitat destruction and a warming planet accelerating biodiversity loss. "The resolution of this long-standing mystery in Indian ichthyology reinforces the importance of continued exploration and highlights the persistence of biodiversity, even in species once thought lost to time," Thackeray said. Wildlife biologist Forrest Galante (@ reacted enthusiastically to the news, writing: "LFG!! Extinct species back, baby!!" in an Instagram post. His post echoed the excitement of researchers who have spent decades searching for the Chel snakehead. This is why conservation matters. Who knows how many more species are waiting to be found? One thing is certain: The natural world holds plenty of secrets. It's up to humans to make sure they have a future. 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.
