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CNN
6 hours ago
- Science
- CNN
The ‘blue dragon' is back from the brink
Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action. Millions of years ago, Grand Cayman Island rose from the depths of the Caribbean Sea, and in the same epoch, its shores became home to giant blue reptiles. Fast forward to today, and with its spiny crest, prehistoric features and striking blue scales, the Grand Cayman blue iguana appears to have lumbered out of a lost world. Endemic to Grand Cayman, the biggest of the Cayman Islands, the impressive reptile holds the title of the island's largest native land animal. But it was only in 2004 that they were officially declared a species, after being differentiated from their cousins, the Cuban Iguana. Blue iguanas were once ubiquitous on the island, however the arrival of humans, and the invasive predators that came with them, brought deadly threats. Habitat loss, hunting and a wave of feral cats and dogs pushed the lizards, referred to as 'blue dragons,' to the brink of extinction. In the early 1990s, researchers estimated there were between 100 and 200 blue iguanas surviving in the wild. But within a decade, those numbers had plummeted, with fewer than 25 individuals remaining in 2002. Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, the blue iguana is back from the brink of extinction. Through captive breeding and a habitat protection program, over 1,200 have now been released into the wild, primarily in protected areas. This led to the species being reclassified from "critically endangered" to "endangered" in 2012, according to IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Meet the bird that looks like a 'baby dragon', but is the most unique voice in the night sky
The Great Eared Nightjar, a bird resembling a 'baby dragon,' inhabits the dense forests of South and Southeast Asia. Its mottled plumage provides excellent camouflage, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the forest floor. While known for its eerie calls, this elusive bird also possesses a surprisingly melodic song, showcasing its diverse vocal abilities and adaptations for survival. N ature is full of paradoxes, as sometimes dangerous-looking beings are also gifted with skills and adaptations that go far beyond imagination, according to their appearances. One such mysterious creature remains hidden in the shadows of dense forests across South and Southeast Asia. Popularly known as the 'baby dragon' of the avian world, this nocturnal bird compels us to recall our interest in the mythical appearance of animals and birds. Despite this, this species remains virtually unseen during daylight hours because of its camouflage. Which bird is called the 'baby dragon' The Great Eared Nightjar, often called a 'baby dragon' due to its exceptional appearance, is the largest nightjar species in terms of length, measuring between 31 and 41 cm. With long ear tufts, a white throat band, and mottled brown, gray, and black feathers, it resembles a tiny dragon more than a typical bird. It is native to dense lowland and montane forests across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, and due to its elusive nature, the secretive species lives in thick vegetation that conceals it during the day. The IUCN and experts consider it to be of Least Concern, indicating stable populations, though habitat loss remains a potential threat. What helps this bird in camouflaging? By day, the great eared nightjar remains motionless on the forest floor, blending easily into leaf litter and fallen twigs. Rather than constructing a nest, it lays a single egg directly on bare ground or in a shallow scrape, protecting its egg and chick through camouflage of its feathers. Both parents take turns incubating, and the hatchling remains immobile among the leaves until it can fly. Voice of the night The 'baby dragon's' call begins with a crisp, sharp 'tsiik,' followed by a pause and a haunting two-syllable whistle, 'ba‑haaww', which resonates through forests at dawn and dusk. But surprisingly, despite its eerie nickname and haunting nighttime calls, the great eared nightjar also sings in surprisingly sweet, melodic tones during certain moments, especially in calm twilight hours. Its vocal ability is supported by a highly adapted vocal organ called the syrinx, which helps it to produce a wide range of complex sounds. This helps the bird not only to communicate across dense forests but also to charm potential mates with softer, musical notes. While it's often remembered for its dragon-like look and ghostly calls, this unique bird can also be quite the gentle forest singer when it wants to be.
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Science
- Indian Express
This bird can go days without ever flapping its wings
When it comes to sheer wingspan, no bird matches the majestic Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans). Known for its near-mythical status among seabirds, this gentle giant of the Southern Ocean holds the title for the largest wingspan in the world, stretching up to an astonishing 3.5 metres (11.5 feet). Imagine a bird so wide-winged that it can glide over vast oceans without flapping its wings for hours, sometimes even days. The Wandering Albatross does exactly that. With its expansive wings, it rides the fierce southern winds in a flight style called dynamic soaring, making use of the wind gradients over the waves. This technique allows it to cover mind-boggling distances; some individuals have been recorded circumnavigating the entire Southern Ocean during a single feeding trip. These seabirds spend most of their lives in flight, only returning to land to breed on remote sub-Antarctic islands. Their lifespan? Often more than 50 years, with some individuals known to live even longer. It's said that they fall in love for life, forming lifelong pair bonds, a romantic notion that has inspired sailors and poets alike. But their incredible wingspan is not just for show. The vast reach of their wings is a survival tool, allowing them to glide over roaring oceans with minimal effort. This efficiency helps them forage across vast stretches of the sea, searching for squid, fish, and krill. As National Geographic points out, this remarkable energy-saving flight is what allows them to thrive in some of the most remote and challenging parts of our planet. Sadly, despite their almost mythical endurance, Wandering Albatrosses face real threats. Longline fishing, which unintentionally hooks these birds as they swoop for bait, is a major cause of declining numbers. Climate change and shifting marine ecosystems add to their challenges. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they are now listed as a vulnerable species, highlighting the urgent need for global conservation efforts. For many, the image of the Wandering Albatross soaring over the southern seas symbolises freedom and resilience. But it also reminds us of the delicate balance of life on Earth, and how even the mightiest can be fragile in the face of human impact.
Rakyat Post
a day ago
- Rakyat Post
Caught On Camera: Another 'Penyu Terbang' Act Lands One Suspect In Police Custody
Subscribe to our FREE Many sea turtle species in Malaysian waters are categorised as endangered, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are many laws in place that incur heavy penalties against those who threaten the conservation of turtle species in the country. This is why if you spot a turtle on a beach, it's best to not interfere with it and just watch from a distance. However, turtle eggs are a rare and valuable delicacy in Malaysia, and there are those who would attempt to harvest them illegally. Video footage shows several men carrying a turtle on a beach away, allegedly to steal its eggs In a viral video posted by Jehan Bakar on Threads, a group of men could be seen hoisting a large sea turtle at Cherating beach in Kuantan, Pahang. 'I woke up to news about a 'flying turtle' where the turtle was carried against its will and moved to a different location,' she wrote in the post caption. Jehan then explained that 'egg thieves' would usually lift up a turtle while it's trying to lay eggs and move it to a different spot. Usually, these thieves would have dug a different hole in another spot, and they would place the turtle there. Why not just wait for the turtle to lay its eggs and steal it then? To this question, Jehan said those who were in the business of lifting innocent turtles up were usually drug addicts and not of sound mind. According to her caption, the videos were recorded by tourists last Sunday evening (27 July), who later shared the video with chalet owners in the area. 'Many lodged a report at the Department of Fisheries (DOF) because this beach is gazetted as a turtle landing beach and it is under the protection of DOF rangers. 'Any egg harvesting activity or moving turtles on a gazetted beach is a crime,' Jehan added. Police have arrested a suspect involved in the video According to a Harian Metro Kuantan acting chief of police Superintendent Mohd Adli Mat Daud said the 51-year-old suspect was arrested in a house in Cherating. The suspect also tested positive for drugs. 'The suspect is believed to have had intentions to sell the turtle eggs or use it for illegal purposes,' Mohd Adli said in a statement. The case is being investigated under Section 27 of the Fisheries Act 1985 that states no one may fish, capture, disturb, or take turtles. If convicted, they can be fined up to RM5,000. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
South Africa pauses cheetah translocation after Kenya refuses to provide them
South Africa has paused fresh cheetah translocations to India until it reviews the health conditions of those previously translocated, following Kenya's refusal to provide them, officials said. Eight cheetahs were flown from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023. (PTI/Representative) India launched the cheetah reintroduction project in September 2022, years after the species was declared extinct in the country in 1947. Twenty cheetahs were brought to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park. Eight were flown from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023. Officials said a three-member expert team, including a National Tiger Conservation Authority official, visited South Africa for discussions on the fresh translocation. They added the panel highlighted 'the success' of the previously translocated cheetahs in adapting to the wild at Kuno, their coexistence with leopards and nearby human populations after the release of 17 cheetahs in the wild. The panel explained the reason behind the deaths of cheetahs in the first year of introduction. An official said that the South African authorities cited 'inadequate communication' between the two governments, the deaths of cheetahs due to extreme weather, and the long captivity of wild cheetahs. Thobile Zulu-Molobi, a spokesperson for South Africa's forestry, fisheries, and environment department, said a minister will visit India to review previously translocated cheetahs individually before any further translocation. The spokesperson added that a decision will be made based on a scientific assessment of whether the translocation will negatively impact the survival of the species in the wild, whether they would survive in their new home, and a population viability analysis used to predict the likelihood that a species will avoid extinction over a specific period. Officials said South Africa's refusal to provide a second batch of cheetahs prompted India to approach Kenya. But environmentalists there opposed any such move, saying the introduction of a genetically distinct species violates International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) rules. Officials said the IUCN advised against introducing two subspecies into a translocation area, as such introduction can lead to genetic mixing and potential disruption of local adaptations. Madhya Pradesh additional chief secretary Ashok Varnwal said the Indian government decided against getting cheetahs from Kenya as it could disrupt the project due to genetic mixing. 'Now we will approach South Africa only for future translocations.' Officials said the expert panel proposed a direct communication system to streamline future interactions. They added that no formal application for the next batch of cheetahs was submitted to the South African authorities, as Indian officials want to first allay their doubts In May 2023, three cubs born to Namibian cheetah Jwala died due to extreme heat. A solar-powered water lift system was installed to protect the cheetah cubs from intense summer.
