Species in News
Source: NIE Context: A new flowering plant species, Begonia nyishiorum, has been discovered in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting the rich unexplored biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas. About Begonia nyishiorum: What It Is? Begonia nyishiorum is a newly identified flowering plant species, belonging to the Begoniaceae family. It is endemic to Arunachal Pradesh …
Source: TOI Context: Etawah marked the 50th anniversary of its gharial conservation initiative on World Crocodile Day (June 17), celebrating five decades of protecting this ancient species along the Chambal River. About Gharial Conservation Programme: What is it? A pioneering project aimed at conserving India’s endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), using captive breeding and ‘rear-and-release’ methods …
Source: TH Context: A new species of jumping spider, Spartaeus karigiri, has been discovered in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This is the first Indian record of the genera Spartaeus and Sonoita, previously known only from Southeast Asia and Africa. About A New Species of Jumping Spider: Scientific Classification: Name: Spartaeus karigiri Subfamily: Spartaeinae (Salticidae family) …
Source: NIE Context: The Siamese Fireback, Thailand’s national bird, has been spotted for the first time in the forests of Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, by a local bird enthusiast. About Siamese Fireback: Scientific Name: Lophura diardi National Bird: Thailand IUCN Status: Least Concern, though facing moderate decline due to habitat loss and poaching. Geographic Distribution: Native to …
Source: TH Context: The Tamil Nadu officially notified a Greater Flamingo Sanctuary in Dhanushkodi to safeguard critical wetland habitats along the Central Asian Flyway. The sanctuary covers over 500 hectares and forms part of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve. About Greater Flamingo Sanctuary in Dhanushkodi: What it is? A newly notified wildlife sanctuary aimed …
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Source: TH Context: World Dugong Day was observed to raise awareness about the conservation needs of dugongs, with India reaffirming its focus on habitat protection in areas like Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar. About Dugongs: What it is: Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are large, herbivorous marine mammals often called “sea cows.” They are the only …
Source: DD News Context: Gujarat Chief Minister announced the completion of the 16th Asiatic Lion Population Census, reporting a population of 891 lions. About 16th Asiatic Lion Census: Conducted By: Gujarat Forest Department under the supervision of the State Wildlife Division. Total Lion Population: 891 lions, including 196 adult males and rest include females, sub-adults, …
Source: DTE Context: The Narayanpatna goat, native to Odisha’s Eastern Ghats, has drawn attention for its disease resistance and climate resilience, but faces threats due to unscientific crossbreeding and lack of breed recognition. About Narayanpatna Goat: What is It? A non-descriptive native goat breed reared by tribal communities in Koraput district, Southern Odisha. Known for …
Source: TOI Context: Indian scientists have achieved a breakthrough in yak genomic research by assembling the first-ever chromosome-level genome of the Indian yak (Bos grunniens). The initiative, led by ICAR-NRC on Yak, Dirang, will bolster breeding programs and improve conservation of this high-altitude livestock species. About Indian Yak: What It Is: The Himalayan yak is …
Source: DTE Context: The ‘Primates in Peril 2023–2025’ report has listed Cross River Gorilla and Tapanuli Orangutan among the 25 most endangered primates globally. Two Indian species — Phayre’s Langur and Western Hoolock Gibbon — were considered for the final list, highlighting their growing conservation concern. About Primates in Peril 2023–2025: What It Is? A …
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Source: TH Context: A wild banana species Musa indandamanensis from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has recorded the world’s longest banana infructescence at 4.2 metres. About Longest Banana Infructescence (Musa indandamanensis): What it is: An infructescence is the complete fruiting part of a plant. The 4.2-metre-long infructescence was found in Musa indandamanensis, a wild banana …
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Source: DTE Context: An international team of scientists has successfully mapped the genome of the Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), the world’s rarest large land mammal, offering new hope for its conservation through genetic rescue and captive breeding. About Saola: What is Saola? A critically endangered bovine species, often called the “Asian unicorn” due to its extreme …
Source: NIE Context: Rajasthan has agreed to join India’s first inter-state cheetah conservation corridor with Madhya Pradesh. About India’s First Inter-State Cheetah Conservation Corridor: What is it? A wildlife corridor project designed to connect protected habitats in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for the reintroduced cheetahs to roam safely and naturally across a vast ecosystem. Geographical …
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Source: PIB Context: After 30 years, 20 critically endangered Red-Crowned Roofed Turtles (Batagur kachuga) were successfully reintroduced into the Ganga River under the Namami Gange Mission, marking a key biodiversity milestone. About Red-Crowned Roofed Turtles (Batagur kachuga): Scientific Name: Batagur kachuga Native Range: Countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh Rivers: Ganga, Brahmaputra (historical); Chambal (current viable habitat) …
Source: BBC Context: For the first time in over a century, a juvenile colossal squid was filmed alive in its natural habitat at a depth of 600 meters in the Southern Ocean, marking a historic milestone in marine exploration. About Colossal Squid: What it is? The colossal squid is the largest invertebrate species known, a …
Source: TOI Context: A rare golden tiger, also known as a golden tabby tiger, was recently sighted and photographed in Kaziranga National Park, Assam About Golden Tiger: What it is: Golden tiger or “golden tabby” is a rare colour variant of the Bengal tiger, not a separate subspecies. Location: Only four are known in the …
Source: TH Context: A research team from Kerala won the prestigious Future Conservationist Award by the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) for their community-based conservation project aimed at protecting the Malabar Grey Hornbill. About the Malabar Grey Hornbill: Scientific Name: Ocyceros griseus IUCN Status: Vulnerable Legal Protection: Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Geographic …
Source: DH Context: A total of 340 Indian Star Tortoises were successfully rehabilitated and released into the wild in Jogapur Reserve Forest, Chandrapur, marking a major milestone under the Turtle Rehabilitation Project (TRP). About Indian Star Tortoises: Scientific Name: Geochelone elegans Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable CITES: Appendix I Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule …
Source: DH Context: The Wildlife Institute of India has proposed a national action plan for translocation of one-horned rhinoceroses to reduce habitat pressure in Assam’s Kaziranga and Pobitora, through reintroduction in new protected areas across five states. About One-Horned Rhinoceros: Scientific Name: Rhinoceros unicornis IUCN Status: Vulnerable Habitat: Terai grasslands, alluvial floodplains, swamps, and subtropical …
Source: TH Context: Kerala and Tamil Nadu will jointly conduct a Nilgiri Tahr census in April, across 265 census blocks to mark 50 years of Eravikulam National Park. About Nilgiri Tahr: What it is? The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) is the only mountain ungulate endemic to southern India and the state animal of Tamil Nadu. …
