Latest news with #IUCN
Express Tribune
a day ago
- General
- Express Tribune
Great Indian Bustard shows recovery in Cholistan
Listen to article In a significant development for wildlife conservation in Pakistan, the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, locally known as Bhakhar, has shown promising signs of population recovery in the Cholistan Desert, according to Punjab wildlife authorities. Wildlife experts estimate the global population of the Great Indian Bustard to be between 80 and 90, with approximately 30 to 35 believed to inhabit the Cholistan region of Pakistan. This fragile recovery is the result of enhanced conservation efforts, ongoing field monitoring, and the creation of a dedicated public wildlife reserve. 'This bird is now restricted to the Cholistan Desert in Pakistan and Rajasthan in India,' confirmed Wildlife Conservator Syed Rizwan Mehmood. He documented rare video footage and photographs of the species during a recent field survey. 'The sighting and documentation of its presence confirm its continued survival in Pakistan. It's a major breakthrough.' Bahawalpur Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Syed Ali Usman Bukhari emphasised the role of dedicated habitat protection in aiding the bird's recovery. 'A designated Public Wildlife Reserve has been established in Cholistan specifically to protect the Great Indian Bustard. Strengthened conservation measures have led to a gradual increase in the population of this native species,' he said. The Great Indian Bustard (ardeotis nigriceps) is listed as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), making it one of the most threatened bird species in South Asia. Once found in large numbers across the Indian subcontinent, the species is now confined to fragmented habitats in India and Pakistan due to habitat loss, hunting and human disturbance. Renowned for its distinctive appearance, the Great Indian Bustard is among the heaviest flying birds in the world. Males can weigh up to 15 kilograms, stand about one meter tall, and have a wingspan exceeding two meters. The bird is easily identified by its brown, white and black plumage and a prominent black patch on the neck. It lays only one egg per year, resulting in an extremely low breeding rate making every individual crucial to the survival of the species. Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), all international trade of the species is strictly prohibited. Domestically, the bird enjoys legal protection, with all forms of hunting or trade banned. Unlike the more commonly targeted Houbara Bustard, which has faced significant pressure from hunting by foreign falconers, the Great Indian Bustard has largely been spared due to its rarity and the strict penalties imposed on violators. Conservationists remain cautiously optimistic. 'The progress we're seeing in Cholistan is encouraging, but the species remains on the brink,' said a wildlife official. 'We must maintain and expand protection efforts, raise awareness, and safeguard critical habitats if we are to prevent its extinction.'
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
10 unique creatures found in Indian rivers
Indian rivers are holy and have mythological stories behind each of them. These rivers provide shelter to some of the unique creatures too. One can find the Ganges dolphin and otters to cryptic fish, turtles, and stingrays found nowhere else on Earth. Most of these marine gems are endangered, and efforts are being made to conserve them. Let's look at 10 fascinating river creatures in India: Ganges River Dolphin This dolphin is mostly known as susu and is also India's National Aquatic Animal, which was recognized in 2009. This species is mostly found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna–Karnaphuli river basins. This species has been listed as endangered by IUCN and is a blind species which navigates and hunts by echolocation. They prefer deep pools with countercurrents as their habitat. Chel Snakehead This species was extinct since the early 20th century but was then rediscovered in 2024 in the Chel River of West Bengal. This is considered the largest snakehead species with bright green scales and yellow-orange stripes on it. The tribal communities mostly know it as Bora Chung. This species is mostly spotted during the monsoon season. This species also has a labyrinth organ, which helps it breathe atmospheric air and also survive in waters where oxygen percentage is low. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Golden Mahseer This species is mostly found in the Himalayan rivers like Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus basins and is famous mainly in Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh. This has also been listed as an endangered species due to overfishing, habitat fragmentation, and damming. This fish is known for its fantastic leaps and for its great strength, which is why it is known as the tiger of rivers. Mugger Crocodile This species is mostly found in slow-moving rivers, lakes, and reservoirs like in the Chambal and Narmada systems. This species is a predator that feeds on fish, turtles, birds, and other marine species and shares its habitat with gharials. The mugger crocodile has been listed as vulnerable in the IUCN list, and some successful projects in crocodile reserves have boosted numbers. Smooth-coated Otter This otter species is present across major rivers in India like the Ganges basin, Western Ghats, and even in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. These otters feed on fish, crabs, insects, small rodents, and are often seen fishing in groups in a V formation. The Tungabhadra Otter Conservation Reserve was established to conserve this species in the Tungabhadra River. They have been under threat due to the loss of wetlands, pollution, poaching, or local consumption. Indian Softshell Turtle These turtles are mostly found in the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, and other major rivers. They can also be considered as threatened or vulnerable. These turtles have a leathery shell and burrow themselves in sand beds and are considered to be carnivorous. They can easily be found in healthy river habitats. Turtle hatcheries and protected nesting zones have been made to conserve these species. Ganges Whipray This species is mostly found in the Ganges basin and has been listed as endangered by IUCN. This species has a flattened body with a venomous tail spine, and its traits match that of a large freshwater stingray. Earlier, this species was found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra and Meghna systems, but now due to overfishing, river modification, and water pollution, it is severely fragmented. Dwarf Pufferfish The pufferfish is mostly found in the Western Ghats in the rivers of Kerala and Karnataka, mostly in slow-flowing rivers. This is a tiny fish with a bright color, and its beak is such that it can break a shell to feed on snails and is also considered to have territorial behavior. The fish can be considered an indicator of water quality and is under threat due to pollution and the aquarium trade. Malabar Snakehead This fish species is only found in the Western Ghat rivers in Kerala and Karnataka and is a predatory fish that is considered to have aggressive behavior. It also builds bubble nests for breeding. This type of fish creates an ecological balance by feeding on smaller fish and mostly feeds on other marine species in hill streams. Malabar snakehead is listed as vulnerable by IUCN and is threatened by habitat loss and sand extraction. Goonch Catfish The Goonch Catfish is mostly found in large rivers in the Indian subcontinent like Ganges tributaries and Brahmaputra, as well as in the Kali River in Uttarakhand. This is considered to be a predator fish and plays a major role in controlling fish populations and also in nutrient cycling. This species is vulnerable to overfishing and habitat loss, and no efforts have been made to conserve this species of fish. (Image Credits: Canva and Istock)
The Age
a day ago
- Politics
- The Age
Fears for ‘shadow species slipping into the dark' as cockatoo conservation bid rejected
The West Australian government has rejected a nomination to upgrade the conservation status of the Baudin's black cockatoo from 'endangered' to 'critically endangered', in what advocates have called a death knell for the species. BirdLife WA claims the WA Threatened Species Scientific Committee's decision, which took 18 months, represents science being sidelined and systemic failure, and accused the committee of being under pressure from the mining industry. The organisation formally nominated the species for up-listing in 2023, a bid it says was backed by research showing a 90 per cent population decline over three generations, or about 40 years, with as few as 2500 to 4000 breeding individuals remaining. The IUCN, Action Plan for Australian Birds, and BirdLife International have all listed Baudin's cas critically endangered, but BirdLife WA says the WA committee cited insufficient data. 'The birds will vanish while the government argues over data,' said BirdLife WA spokesperson Dr Mark Henryon. 'If the system won't act now, what's it waiting for – zero birds left?' Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said he understood the depth of public concern, and relied on independent scientific advice for such decisions. 'I give careful, ongoing consideration to these matters, and I'm acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with decisions affecting species at risk,' he said. Swinbourn said the WA Threatened Species Scientific Committee comprised leading scientists with relevant expertise and operated independently, using internationally recognised criteria, including those of the IUCN, to assess the evidence.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Fears for ‘shadow species slipping into the dark' as cockatoo conservation bid rejected
The West Australian government has rejected a nomination to upgrade the conservation status of the Baudin's black cockatoo from 'endangered' to 'critically endangered', in what advocates have called a death knell for the species. BirdLife WA claims the WA Threatened Species Scientific Committee's decision, which took 18 months, represents science being sidelined and systemic failure, and accused the committee of being under pressure from the mining industry. The organisation formally nominated the species for up-listing in 2023, a bid it says was backed by research showing a 90 per cent population decline over three generations, or about 40 years, with as few as 2500 to 4000 breeding individuals remaining. The IUCN, Action Plan for Australian Birds, and BirdLife International have all listed Baudin's cas critically endangered, but BirdLife WA says the WA committee cited insufficient data. 'The birds will vanish while the government argues over data,' said BirdLife WA spokesperson Dr Mark Henryon. 'If the system won't act now, what's it waiting for – zero birds left?' Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said he understood the depth of public concern, and relied on independent scientific advice for such decisions. 'I give careful, ongoing consideration to these matters, and I'm acutely aware of the responsibility that comes with decisions affecting species at risk,' he said. Swinbourn said the WA Threatened Species Scientific Committee comprised leading scientists with relevant expertise and operated independently, using internationally recognised criteria, including those of the IUCN, to assess the evidence.
The National
3 days ago
- Science
- The National
Genetic engineering debate emerges before autumn UAE gathering
The use of genetic engineering to save endangered species is the subject of debate ahead of a major international conservation gathering in the UAE later this year. In a motion due to be presented at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, in Abu Dhabi in October, opponents of the technology have warned of 'unforeseeable impacts' if wild species are genetically modified. The motion to the IUCN congress calls for a moratorium on genetic engineering, which has been used in conservation in efforts to recreate lost species. It says genetically modified organisms (GMOs) could 'significantly damage ecosystems' and move across borders in an 'uncontrollable' way. 'Genetic engineering of wild species in natural ecosystems undermines established and effective nature conservation strategies, many grounded in the traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous people and local communities,' states the motion. It is supported by organisations including the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network and the Stop Gene Drive campaign. The motion argues that genetically engineering wild organisms goes against the 'practices, values and principles of nature conservation' that the IUCN promotes. Promoting conservation However, in a public letter, a group of scientists and organisations have hit back at the moratorium proposal, warning that it would hamper the use of science to promote conservation. They have particular concerns about restrictions on the emerging field of synthetic biology, which involves, for example, genetically engineering organisms to produce substances that confer disease resistance. Signatories to the letter, among them American Bird Conservancy, the Charles Darwin Foundation and the European Bureau for Conservation and Development, say that many existing conservation tools – such as replanting coral reefs or moving organisms to increase genetic diversity – are expensive and difficult to use on a large scale. Technologies such as synthetic biology could, they argue, 'address challenges that have proven difficult or impossible to solve using traditional means'. Approaches that could prove useful include, they say, genetically engineering bacteria to combat coral reef bleaching, which happens at high temperatures and is a major problem in the Gulf region. Other applications they say could be jeopardised by bans on the genetic engineering of wild species include modifying frogs to be resistant to deadly fungi, or engineering rodents to control invasive alien species. They are concerned that scientists could be discouraged from using genetic engineering in conservation if the IUCN comes out publicly against the approach. 'An IUCN moratorium on genetically engineering wild species and microbiome communities would stifle research, compromise potential breakthroughs, and send a discouraging message to the next generation of scientists advancing transformative solutions in conservation and health,' the letter says. Among the signatories to the letter is Colossal Biosciences, an American company attempting to recreate extinct species such as the woolly mammoth. Fantasy becomes reality In April this year the firm claimed to have 'de-extincted' dire wolves, a species made famous by the television series Game of Thrones. Other signatories include scientists in Bulgaria, France, the Philippines, the UK and the US. In total more than 100 individuals, organisations and campaigners have signed the letter. The IUCN World Conservation Congress, held every four years, will take place in the UAE capital from October 9 to 15. The congress includes the members' assembly, where member organisations make decisions that 'influence global policy and set the conservation agenda for years to come'. The UAE has other strong links to the IUCN. The organisation's president is Razan Al Mubarak, who is also managing director of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. Genetic engineering technologies have caused controversy for decades, particularly in Europe, where the use of GMOs in agriculture remains tightly restricted. In the Philippines, plans to grow Golden Rice, a form of the crop engineered to combat Vitamin A deficiency, were halted by a court last year. Dr Alexander Lees, a reader in biodiversity at Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK, who is not connected to the letter opposing the motion, said the application of synthetic biology to biodiversity conservation 'remains a divisive paradigm for conservationists'. 'Whilst some applications like 'de-extinction' are widely viewed with scepticism, engaging with other applications like species-specific biological control for invasive species would appear to offer real hope of tackling up-til-now intractable problems,' he said. He said another motion presented to the congress offered 'a flexible but cautious path' to deal with the issue on a case-by-case basis, given that 'inaction in many cases may transpire to be a greater risk than taking action without full knowledge of the consequences'. A moratorium may, Dr Lees suggested, 'be overly cautious'. Another biologist not connected to the letter, Prof William Kunin, professor of ecology at the University of Leeds in the UK, said the alternatives to using genetic engineering 'are often much worse' than the technology itself. 'What often happens in these sorts of debates [is] people look at an intervention in isolation compared to the alternatives,' he said. When it comes to controlling mosquitoes that spread malaria, for example, alternatives to genetically engineering the creatures might include, Prof Kunin said, 'spreading pesticides over vast areas or draining swamps', that might be 'incredibly biodiverse'.
