Peacocks

Source:  TOI Subject:  Species in News Context: A pair of peacocks were spotted at an altitude of over 6,000 ft near Manali in Himachal Pradesh, an unusual sight for a species typically found in warmer lowland regions. About Peacocks: What is it? Peacocks are large, colourful birds of the pheasant family (Phasianidae), collectively called peafowl—the …

Bactrian Camel

Source:  NDTV Subject:   Species in News Context: Two Bactrian camels named ‘Galwan’ and ‘Nubra’ will feature in the Republic Day Parade 2026 on Kartavya Path as part of the Army’s Animal Contingent, highlighting Ladakh’s unique cold-desert heritage. About Bactrian Camel: What it is? A double-humped camel adapted to extreme cold and arid conditions of Central …

Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole)

Source:  ETV Subject:  Species in News Context: A rare Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole) has been camera-trapped for the first time in Ratapani Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, indicating improving habitat and prey conditions. About Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole): What is it? The Asiatic Wild Dog, commonly called the Dhole (Cuon alpinus), is a wild canid native …

Two new rare ant fly species discovered

Source:  TH Subject:  Species in News Context: Researchers have discovered two new, extremely rare ant fly species from Delhi and the Western Ghats, underscoring the hidden biodiversity of urban forests and biodiversity hotspots. About Two new rare ant fly species discovered: What it is? Ant flies belong to the subfamily Microdontinae (family Syrphidae) and are …

Indian Skimmer

Source:  DH Subject:  Species in News Context: The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) have launched a new conservation project to protect the endangered Indian Skimmer and its breeding habitats across the Ganga Basin. About Indian Skimmer: What it is? The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is a riverine …

Microscopic crustacean

Source:  TH Subject:  Species in News Context: A microscopic crustacean discovered in the Kavaratti lagoon, Lakshadweep, has been formally established as a new genus and species, named Indiaphonte bijoyi. About Microscopic crustacean: What it is? Indiaphonte bijoyi is a microscopic crustacean (copepod) belonging to the family Laophontidae under the order Harpacticoida. It is part of …

Dugongs

Source:  TH Subject:  Species in news Context: The Union government’s Expert Appraisal Committee (MoEFCC) has asked Tamil Nadu to revise the design of the proposed International Dugong Conservation Centre at Manora (Thanjavur). About Dugongs: What it is? Dugong is a large, slow-moving marine mammal, commonly called a “sea cow”, that feeds exclusively on seagrass. It …

Vultures in India

Source: TH Subject: Species in News Context: Tamil Nadu informed the Madras High Court that it is creating Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs), beginning with the Moyar River Valley in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, to protect vultures from toxic veterinary drugs like diclofenac. About Vultures in India: What they are? Vultures are large scavenging birds of …

Kashmir Markhor

Source:  DTE Subject:  Species in News Context: The Kashmir markhor, India’s rarest wild goat, is facing local extinction, with only 200–300 individuals left, mostly confined to the Kazinag range of Jammu & Kashmir. About Kashmir Markhor: What it is? The Kashmir markhor is a large, cliff-dwelling wild goat and a subspecies of the markhor (Capra …

Remarkable New Species Discovered in India in 2025

Source:  MB Subject:  Species in news Context:  In December 2025, scientists in India announced several significant new species discoveries, spanning from the high-altitude Eastern Himalayas to the rainforests of the Western Ghats. About Remarkable New Species Discovered in India in 2025: Bridgeoporus kanadii (A “Colossal” Fungi) What it is? A “colossal” new species of macro …

Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

Source:  NIE Subject:  Species in News Context: With the nesting season underway, wildlife authorities have set up sea turtle hatcheries at multiple locations along the Chennai coast to protect eggs and improve hatchling survival. About Olive Ridley Sea Turtles: What it is? The Olive Ridley sea turtle is one of the smallest and most abundant …

Cetacean morbillivirus

Source: IE Subject: Species in News Context: Scientists have detected cetacean morbillivirus in Arctic waters for the first time by using drones to collect whale breath (blow) samples, a non-invasive technique. About Cetacean morbillivirus: What it is? Cetacean morbillivirus is a highly infectious viral disease affecting marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, porpoises, and pilot …

Amazon’s Stingless Bees

Source:  IE Subject:  Species in News Context: Amazonian stingless bees have become the first insects in the world to be granted legal rights after Peruvian municipalities passed a landmark ordinance recognising their right to exist and flourish. About Amazon’s Stingless Bees: What they are? Stingless bees are a group of bees that either lack stingers …

Great Indian Bustard

Source:  DTE Subject:   Species in News Context: The Supreme Court, has strengthened safeguards for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) while revising transmission alignments under the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) in Rajasthan and Gujarat. About Great Indian Bustard (GIB): What it is? The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is one of the heaviest flying …

Rhinoceros (Rhino)

Source:  TH Subject:  Species in News Context: A recent international study shows that rhino dehorning has reduced poaching by nearly 75–78% in African reserves, offering a cost-effective conservation tool. About Rhinoceros (Rhino): What it is? The rhinoceros is a large, herbivorous mammal belonging to the family Rhinocerotidae. It is one of the oldest surviving megafauna, …

Tapanuli orangutans

Source:  DTE Subject:  Species in News Context: Scientists have warned that Cyclone Senyar–triggered floods and landslides in Sumatra’s Batang Toru region may have killed 6–11% of the remaining Tapanuli orangutans. About Tapanuli orangutans: What it is? The Tapanuli orangutan is a critically endangered species of great ape, formally described as a distinct species in 2017, …

Western Tragopan

Source:  TH Context: A captive-breeding programme at Sarahan Pheasantry, Himachal Pradesh, has successfully stabilised the Western Tragopan population, giving conservationists fresh hope. About Western Tragopan: What it is? The Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) — also called Jujurana or “king of birds” — is one of the world’s rarest pheasants and the state bird of Himachal …

BNHS to Release Critically Endangered Vultures

Source:  TH Subject: Species in News Context: BNHS will release six critically endangered vultures—slender-billed and white-rumped—into the wild in Assam in January 2026 as part of India’s long-term vulture recovery programme. About BNHS to Release Critically Endangered Vultures: About Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) What it is? A critically endangered Old World vulture species native to …