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Home , Black panther, Indian leopard, Indian pangolin, Trimeresurus salazar

Bio- Diversity in News

Animal Species in News ------3 Asiatic ------3 Indian ------3 Cheetah ------3 African Cheetah ------4 Saharan Cheetah ------4 ------4 Panther ------5 Fishing Cats------5 Asian Elephant ------7 Sloth ------7 Himalayan Black ------7 Himalayan Brown Bear ------7 Koala Bears ------8 Red Pandas ------8 Mugger ------8 Gharial ------8 Saltwater Crocodile ------9 White Rhino ------9 Indian Rhinoceros ------9 Kharai Camel ------9 White Giraffe ------10 Giraffe ------10 Komodo Dragon ------10 ------11 Nilgiri Tahr------12 Lion-tailed Macaque ------12 Golden Langurs ------13 Capuchin Monkeys ------13 Popa Langur ------13 Hoolock Gibbons ------13 Hard ground swamp deer ------14 Indian Gaur ------14

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Siberian Ibex ------15 Himalayan Ibex------15 Indian Gazelle ------15 Himalayan Serow ------16 ------17 Eurasian ------17 Minks ------17 Malayan Giant Squirrel ------18 Marmots ------18 Skinks of ------19 Bent Toed Gecko ------19 Sitana Dharwarensis ------19 Keelback ------19 Salazar ------20 Craspedotropis Gretathunbergae ------20 Giant African Snail Invasion ------21

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Animal Species in News

Asiatic Lion ➢ Recently Government has decided to use around 8,000-10,000 cameras to carry out the 2020 lion census in . ➢ According to June 5, 2020 census, the number of Asiatic have now risen by 29% over five years to an estimated 674 in the Gir forest region and other revenue areas of coastal Saurashtra. ➢ Scientific Name: Leo Persica. ➢ Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions. ➢ The most striking morphological character is a longitudinal fold of skin running along belly of Asiatic Lions. ➢ At present and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat is the only abode of the . They live in a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in southwestern part of Saurashtra region of Gujarat. ➢ Conservation Status: • IUCN Red List: Endangered. • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule-I • The African Lion, IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Indian Leopard ➢ As part of its global census, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is set to release a dedicated report on leopard sightings by the month-end. ➢ The is one of the big cats occurring on the , apart from the Asiatic lion, tiger, snow leopard and . ➢ Scientific Name: Panthera pardusOrCommon Name: Indian leopard or Common leopard. ➢ In India, the leopard is found in all forest types, from tropical to temperate deciduous and alpine coniferous forests. It is also found in dry scrubs and grasslands, the only exception being desert and the of . ➢ Conservation Status: • IUCN: Vulnerable • CITES: Appendix I • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:Schedule II ➢ Conservation Issues: The biggest threats facing the common leopard in India are increasing conflict with humans, for illegal trade in body parts and loss of habitat. ➢ Census: The last formal census on India’s was conducted in 2014 which estimated the cat’s population at between 12,000 and 14,000. They also estimated 8,000 leopards in the vicinity of tiger habitat.

Cheetah ➢ Cheetah is a keystone species of dry forests, scrub forests, and savannahs. ➢ Keystone species are those which have an extremely high impact on a particular ecosystem relative to its population. ➢ It has a disproportionately large effect on its natural environment relative to its abundance ➢ It was officially declared extinct in India in 1952. ➢ It is one of the oldest of the species, with ancestors that can be traced back more than five million years to the Miocene era.

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➢ It is also the world’s fastest land . ➢ Problems like human-wildlife conflict, loss of habitat and loss of prey, and illegal trafficking, have decimated their numbers. ➢ The advent of climate change and growing human populations have only made these problems worse. ➢ Conservation Status: • IUCN: African Cheetah- Vulnerable | African Cheetah- Vulnerable

African Cheetah ➢ Recently three African hunting cheetahs from has been introduced in Mysore zoo. ➢ The Mysuru zoo managed to get a male and two females from a cheetah conservation centre in South Africa under an animal exchange programme. ➢ The Mysuru zoo is the second zoo after Hyderabad zoo to have African cheetahs. ➢ Around 6,500-7,000 African cheetahs present in the wild. ➢ They are bigger in size as compared to . ➢ Conservation Status • CITES status: Appendix-I • IUCN status: Vulnerable

Saharan Cheetah ➢ Critically Endangered Saharan Cheetah was seen in Hoggar Mountains national park Algeria for the first time in a decade ➢ The Saharan cheetah is quite different in appearance from the other African cheetahs. Its coat is shorter and paler in colour. Its face has few or no spots and tear stripes are almost absent. ➢ Its range is now limited to isolated pockets across the Sahara and Sahel from Mali in the west to the Central African Republic in the east. The main countries where it is found include Algeria, Chad, Mali, Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. ➢ In 2012, the International Union for Conservation of Nature estimated the remaining population in Algeria at just 37 individuals.

Snow Leopard ➢ International Snow Leopard Day was observed on 23 October. The day aims to raise awareness on conservation and protection of snow leopards. ➢ The Snow Leopard is also known as Ghost of the mountains. ➢ It acts as an indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystem in which they live, due to their position as the top predator in the food web. ➢ The conservation centre will be built by the forest department along United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uttarkashi forests as part of its six-year long project, SECURE . • The project aims at securing livelihoods, conservation, sustainable use and restoration of high range Himalayan ecosystems. • The project looks into conversation of snow leopards and other endangered species and their habitats, found in Himalayas. This project was started in 2017. • It is funded by the Global Environment Facility United Nations Development Programme. ➢ The Snow leopard conservation centre aims to protect the animal with the help of local community and also give employment to locals from nearby villages through tourism. It also aims to conservation and restoration of Himalayan ecosystems.

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➢ Habitation: The Snow Leopard lives at high altitudes in the steep mountains of Central and Southern Asia, and in an extremely cold climate. o They inhabit the higher Himalayan and trans-Himalayan landscape in the states/union territories of Jammu and , , Uttarakhand, , and Arunachal Pradesh. ➢ India is a unique country to have a good presence of 5 big cats, including Snow Leopard. The other 4 are, Lion, Tiger, Common Leopard, and Clouded Leopard. ➢ Snow Leopard capital of the world: Hemis, Ladakh. ➢ Hemis National Park is the biggest national park of India and also has a good presence of Snow Leopard. ➢ Conservation status • IUCN: Vulnerable • CITES:Appendix I • CMS:Appendix I • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972:Schedule I ➢ Threat: Factors that have contributed to the decline in the snow leopard populations include, reduction in prey populations, illegal poaching and increased human population infiltration into the species habitat and illegal trade of wildlife parts and products among others.

Black Panther ➢ A was spotted in ’s Netravali Sanctuary. ➢ A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of any Panthera, particularly of the leopard in Asia and Africa, and the in the Americas. ➢ It is as shy as a normal leopard and very difficult to detect. ➢ It is mostly found in densely forested areas of southern India. ➢ Areas where black panther has been spotted earlier: • Periyar Tiger Reserve () • Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve and Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary () • Achanakmar Tiger Reserve () • Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa) • Mudumalai Tiger Reserve ()

Fishing Cats ➢ The Government has started a two-year conservation project for Fishing Cats in Bhitarkanika National Park. ➢ Scientific Name: Prionailurusviverrinus. ➢ In India, fishing cats are mainly found in the forests of the Sundarbans, on the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganga and valleys and in the . ➢ It is twice the size of a house cat. ➢ It is nocturnal (active at night) and apart from fish also preys on frogs, crustaceans, , birds, and scavenges on carcasses of larger . ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. • CITES: Appendix II • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I ➢ Threats:, Shrimp Farming, Hunting, Ritual Practices, Poaching, Poisoning. ➢ Conservation Efforts: The Project, launched in 2010 started raising awareness about the Cat in West Bengal. • In 2012, the West Bengal government officially declared the Fishing Cat as the State Animal and the Calcutta Zoo has two big enclosures dedicated to them. •

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Asian Elephant ➢ India is the natural home of the largest population of Asian elephants. It is also found in , , and . ➢ There arethree of Asian elephant- the Indian, Sumatran and Sri Lankan. The Indian has the widest range and accounts for the majority of the remaining elephants on the continent. ➢ It usually resides in shrublands, artificial/terrestrial forests and grasslands. ➢ Escalation of poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and mistreatment in captivity are some common threats to both African and Asian elephants. ➢ African elephants are listed as “vulnerable” and Asian elephants as “endangered” in IUCN Red List of threatened species. It is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. ➢ The challenges confronting Asian elephant conservation in most elephant Range States are habitat loss and fragmentation, human-elephant conflict, and poaching and illegal trade of elephants.

Sloth Bears ➢ Scientific Name: Melursus ursinus ➢ Also called honey bear, Hindi bhalu, it is a forest-dwelling member of the family Ursidae (comprises 8 species of bears) that inhabits tropical or subtropical regions of India and . ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN status: Vulnerable • CITES status: Appendix-I • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972- Schedule 1 ➢ Threats:Habitat loss, poaching for body parts and are sometimes captured for use in performances or hunted because of their aggressive behavior and destruction of crops.

Himalayan Black Bear ➢ Scientific Name: Ursusthibetenus ➢ Habitat: Also called Asiatic black bear, it inhabits mountainous and heavily forested areas across southern and eastern Asia. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Vulnerable • CITES: Appendix-I • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972- Schedule I ➢ Threats:Illegal hunting for body parts, specifically the gallbladder, paws and skiing poses the main threat, together with habitat loss caused by logging, expansion of human settlements and roads.

Himalayan Brown Bear ➢ Recently, a study on the Himalayan brown bear has predicted a significant reduction in suitable habitat and biological corridors of the species in the climate change scenario. ➢ Scientific: Ursusarctosisabellinus. ➢ Also known as Himalayan red bear, isabelline bear or Dzu-Teh. ➢ It is found in 23 protected areas including Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Jammu and Kashmir. ➢ It is the largest carnivore in the highlands of Himalayas. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Least Concern. However, it isEndangered in the Himalayas and Critically Endangered in Hindu Kush.

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• Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972- Schedule I

Koala Bears ➢ According to recent study Koalas in the Australian could become extinct by 2050 unless the government immediately intervenes to protect them and their habitat. ➢ Koala bear is a "marsupial" which is a mammal with a pouch for the development of offspring. ➢ They are found in the eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia. ➢ They have grey fur with a cream-coloured chest, and strong, clawed feet, perfect for living in the branches of trees. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Vulnerable

Red Pandas ➢ Genetic study reveals the endangered is actually two separate species. ➢ The red panda is a small arboreal mammal found in the forests of India, Nepal, Bhutan and the northern mountains of Myanmar and southern . ➢ The Red Pandas are called “Living Fossils” as they are the only living member of the mammalian family. ➢ In India, it is found in Sikkim, western Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling district of West Bengal and parts of Meghalaya. ➢ It is also the state animal of Sikkim. ➢ Conservation status: • IUCN: Endangered • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I ➢ Himalayan red panda and Chinese red panda: • Chinese red pandas are found in northern Myanmar as well as south-eastern , Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in China. • Himalayan red pandas are native to Nepal, India, Bhutan and southern Tibet in China. • The Himalayan red panda has more white on the face, while the face coat colour of the Chinese red panda is redder with less white on it.

Mugger ➢ The , also called the Indian crocodile, or marsh crocodile, is found throughout the Indian subcontinent. ➢ It is a freshwater crocodile native to southern Iran to the Indian subcontinent. It is extinct in Bhutan and Myanmar. ➢ The mugger is mainly a freshwater species, and found in lakes, rivers and marshes. ➢ Conservation Status: • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable • CITES: Appendix I ➢ Threats:Habitat destruction; Entanglement and drowning in fishing equipment and; Increasing incidents of conflict with humans.

Gharial ➢ The Gharial or fish-eating crocodile is native to the Indian subcontinent. ➢ Scientific name: GavialisGangeticu. ➢ The male gharial has a distinctive boss at the end of the snout, which resembles an earthenware pot.

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➢ They are a fresh-water crocodile. They live in deep fast-flowing rivers. ➢ Globally Gharial is found only in India and Nepal. • India: Girwa River, Chambal River, Ken River, Son River, Mahanadi River, Ramganga River • Nepal: Rapti-Narayani River ➢ Conservation Status: • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I • CITES: Appendix I ➢ Small released populations are present and increasing in the rivers of the National Chambal Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Son River Sanctuary and the biome of Mahanadi in Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, Orissa. ➢ Threats:Hunting for skins, trophies and indigenous medicine, and their eggs collected for consumption, decrease of riverine habitat as dams, barrages, irrigation canals and artificial embankments were built; siltation and sand-mining changed river courses. ➢ Conservation Efforts:Breeding Centres of Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre in Lucknow, , National Chambal Sanctuary (Gharial Eco Park, ).

Saltwater Crocodile ➢ It is considered as the Earth’s largest living crocodile species native to saltwater habitats and brackish wetlands. ➢ It is found throughout the east coast of India, Southeast Asia and northern Australia. ➢ It is thelargest of all living . ➢ Conservation Status: • IUCN Red List: Least Concern ➢ It is foundthroughout the east coast of India. ➢ Threats:Illegal hunting; habitat loss; antipathy toward the species because of its reputation as a man-eater.

White Rhino ➢ The white rhinoceros or square-lipped rhinocerosis the largest extant species of rhinoceros and second largest land mammal. ➢ It has a wide mouth used for grazing and is the most social of all rhino species. ➢ The white rhinoceros consists of two subspecies: the southern white rhinoceros and the much rarer northern white rhinoceros.

Indian Rhinoceros ➢ The Indian rhinoceros, also called the greater one-horned rhinoceros and great Indian rhinoceros, is a rhinoceros species native to the Indian subcontinent. ➢ It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. ➢ They can be found in: ; ;Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary; Orang National Park;GorumaraDudhwa National Park;;Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kharai Camel ➢ Also known as Swimming Camels. ➢ Found only in Gujarat’s Bhuj area. ➢ It has been recognized as a separate breed (one among nine such breeds found in India) of camel for better conservation. ➢ This camel is adapted to the extreme climate of Ran of Kachh where shallow seas and high salinity is prevalent.

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➢ It can live in both coastal and dry ecosystems. It grazes on saline / mangrove trees and is tolerant to high saline water. ➢ It can swim up to three kilometers into the sea in search of mangroves, their primary food.

White Giraffe ➢ Poachers have killed two extremely rare white giraffes in northeast , leaving just one such animal in the world. ➢ The white giraffes were first spotted in 2016. ➢ The white appearance of the giraffe is due to leucism, a genetic condition that causes skin cells to have no pigmentation. ➢ Leucism is different from albinism where no melanin is produced at all. ➢ Melanin is a dark biological pigment found in skin, hair, feathers, scales, eyes, and some internal membranes.

Giraffe ➢ Giraffes are most often found in savanna/woodland habitats and range widely throughout Africa. ➢ The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had classified giraffes as vulnerable in the Red List in December 2016, when it noted that their population had dropped by over 40% since 1985. ➢ According to IUCN, the four principal factors that have led to a population decline among giraffes are habitat loss, civil unrest, poaching and ecological issues. ➢ CITES: Appendix II

Komodo Dragon ➢ A recent study conducted by Australian universities has found out that the Komodo dragon could become extinct in the next few decades due to climate change. ➢ Scientific Name: Varanus komodoensis. ➢ They are the largest and heaviest lizards on Earth. They have long, flat heads with rounded snouts, scaly skin, bowed legs, and huge, muscular tails. ➢ They have venom glands loaded with toxins which have been shown to secrete anticoagulants. ➢ They have thrived in the harsh climate of Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands for millions of years. They prefer the islands’ tropical forests but can be found across the islands. ➢ Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is situated in the Island of Komodo (eastern Indonesia) and is the only habitat for this lizard species. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Vulnerable • CITES:Appendix-I ➢ In August 2019, the Indonesian government ordered the relocation of the residents of the Island of Komodo in a bid to conserve Komodo dragons and the Komodo National Park. ➢ Threats:Anthropogenic factors; Small size of population; Less prey and higher inbreeding factors; Climate change is likely to cause a sharp decline in the availability of habitat, reducing their populations even further.

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Pangolins ➢ Six persons, including a woman, were arrested for allegedly smuggling pangolins in Kolkata. ➢ Pangolins are the only wholly-covered in scales and they use those scales to protect themselves from predators in the wild. ➢ ➢ If under threat, a will immediately curl into a tight ball and will use their sharp-scaled tails to defend themselves. ➢ A Pangolin’s tongue is longer than its body. ➢ They have no teeth and chew with gravel and keratinous spines inside the stomach. ➢ Of the eight species of pangolin worldwide, two are found in India. They are (manispentadactyla), mostly found in and Indian pangolin ( crassicaudata). ➢ They certainly are one of the most trafficked mammals in Asia and, increasingly, Africa. ➢ Pangolins are in high demand in countries like China and Vietnam. ➢ Pangolins is smuggled for its scales as it believed that they possess magic or charms and have medicinal. ➢ Conservation Status: • Indian Pangolin: IUCN: Endangered • Chinese Pangolin: IUCN: Critically Endangered • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

NilgiriTahr ➢ The population of the State animal, the endangered Nilgiritahr, spilling over from its predominant range. ➢ It is the State animal of Tamil Nadu. ➢ It is endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and the southern portion of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. ➢ It inhabits the open montane grassland habitats of the South Western Ghats. ➢ Eravikulam National Park in Kerala is home to the largest population. ➢ Conservation Status: • IUCN: Endangered • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule 1

Lion-tailed Macaque ➢ The scientific name:Macacasilenus. ➢ It is also known under its original name of Sahyadri or Benevolent Mountains. ➢ It is endemic to the Western Ghats in the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. ➢ Although the species has a relatively wide range, its area of occupancy is small and severely fragmented. ➢ Lion-tailed macaques play important role in the ecosystem they live, as they disperse seeds of fruits and plants they consume. ➢ Primarily diurnal arboreal, it prefers the upper canopy of primary tropical evergreen rainforest. ➢ It can also be found in monsoon forests in hilly country and in disturbed forest. ➢ Itplay important role in the ecosystem they live, as they disperse seeds of fruits and plants they consume. ➢ Threats:Overpopulation; Habitat destruction; Hunting among others ➢ Conservation Status:

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• IUCN Red list: Endangered. • CITES: Appendix I • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Golden Langurs ➢ Primatologists have observed that the Gee’s golden langur (Trachypithecusgeei), endemic to the semi-evergreen and mixed-deciduous forests straddling India and Bhutan, induce stillbirth of babies killed inside the womb of females, besides practising infanticide. ➢ Scientific Name: Trachypithecusgeei. ➢ The geographic range of golden langurs is limited to Assam, India and neighboring Bhutan where they live year-round. ➢ Golden langurs occupy moist evergreen and tropical deciduous forests as well as some riverine areas and savannas in Assam and Bhutan. ➢ Their hair ranges from dark golden to creamy buff and their faces are black and hairless except for a long pale beard. It has been noted that their fur changes colors according to the seasons. ➢ Conservation Status: • IUCN: Endangered • CITES: Appendix I ➢ Threats: The main reason for low numbers of golden langurs is because of their localized habitat and the rapid loss of this habitat due to deforestation. ➢ Chakrashila sanctuary: Chakrashila is India’s first wildlife sanctuary with golden langur as the primary species. Chakrashila has about 600 golden langurs whose population is scattered across western Assam and the foothills of Bhutan

Capuchin Monkeys ➢ Scientific name: Cebus. ➢ Capuchin Monkeys, also called sapajou, is a common Central and South American found in tropical forests from Nicaragua to . ➢ They are named for their “caps” of hair, which resemble the cowls of Capuchin monks. ➢ Conservation status • IUCN: Vulnerable

Popa Langur ➢ Recently, the scientists have identified 'Popa Langur' from the forests of central Myanmar. ➢ It is newly discovered species of primate. ➢ It is a lithe tree-dweller with a mask-like face framed by a shock of unruly grey hair. ➢ It is named after an extinct volcano Mount Popa which is home to its largest population. ➢ Trachypithecuspopa or T. popa, has a grey-brownish and white belly, with black hands and wrists that look a bit like gloves. ➢ Conservation status • IUCN: Critically Endangered (200 left)

Hoolock Gibbons ➢ Hoolock Gibbons threatened with extinction in two Manipur districts. ➢ They are three primate species of Hoolock in the gibbon family. ➢ The primate is native to eastern Bangladesh, Northeast India and Southwest China. ➢ Gibbons are diurnal (active during the day) and arboreal (live on trees).

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➢ Diet: consists mainly of fruits, insects and leaves. ➢ They live together in monogamous pairs. ➢ Northeastern India is home to two ape species: eastern and western hoolock gibbons. ➢ Western hoolock gibbon: • It inhibits in all the states of the north-east, restricted between the south of the Brahmaputra river and east of the Dibang river. And outside India, it is found in eastern Bangladesh and north-west Myanmar. • IUCN: Endangered • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972- Schedule I ➢ Eastern hoolock gibbon: It inhabits specific pockets of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India, and in southern China and north-east Myanmar outside India. • IUCN: Vulnerable • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972- Schedule I ➢ Threats:Deforestation for timber, forest fires and hunting.

Hard ground swamp deer ➢ The population of Hard ground swamp deer (Barasingha) has increased to 800 in the Kanha National park and Tiger Reserve. ➢ Hard ground swamp deer is also known as Barasingha or Rucervusduvaucelii, the state animal of Madhya Pradesh. ➢ Swam deer are already extinct in and Bangladesh. It is now found only in south- western Nepal and central and northeastern India. ➢ There are three subspecies of swamp deer found in the Indian Subcontinent. • The western swamp deer (Rucervusduvaucelii) found in Nepal; • The Southern swamp deer (Rucervusduvauceliibranderi) found in central and and; • The Eastern swamp deer (Rucervusduvauceliiranjitsinhi) found in the Kaziranga and Dudhwa National Parks. ➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Vulnerable

Indian Gaur ➢ Wildlife researchers recently documented the presence of an Indian gaur in Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time in recorded history. ➢ The first population estimation exercise of the Indian gaur carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Division has revealed that more than an estimated 2,000 Indian gaurs inhabit the entire division. ➢ Gaurs are the world’s largest and tallest wild bovines, with 85% of their current population found in India. ➢ It is the State animal of Goa. ➢ Gaur are largely confined to evergreen forests or semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, but also occur in deciduous forest areas at the periphery of their range. ➢ Gaur is highly threatened by poaching for trade to supply international markets. ➢ In India, the population was estimated to be 12,000–22,000 in the mid-1990s. The Western Ghats and their outflanking hills in southern India constitute one of the most extensive extant strongholds of gaur, in particular in the Wayanad- Nagarhole- Mudumalai- Bandipur complex. ➢ Conservation Status: • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I • • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable • CITES: Appendix I ➢ Threats: Hunting for consumption; loss of suitable habitat and; contract diseases transmitted by domestic cattle.

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Siberian Ibex ➢ A recent study by scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has proved that Himalayan Ibex is a distinct species from the Siberian Ibex. ➢ The study was funded through the National Mission on Himalayan Studies. ➢ The National Mission on Himalayan Studies is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. ➢ Siberian Ibex is a species of wild goat and is distributed in diverse habitats, ranging from cold deserts, rocky outcrops, steep terrain, high-land flats and mountain ridges to low mountains and foothills. ➢ It is in Least Concern category under IUCN. ➢ From Mongolia, its distribution extends towards Altai, Hangai, Gobi-Altai, the Hurukh mountain ranges as well as Sayan Mountains near Russia and scattered populations in the small mountains of Trans-Altai Gobi. ➢ In Asia, Ibex is distributed in the montane habitats, ranging in elevations from 500 m to 6,700 m in countries like India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Southern Siberia and China. ➢ In India, the Ibex is distributed mainly in the trans-Himalayan ranges of the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh up to the river Sutlej.

Himalayan Ibex ➢ Himalayan Ibex, distributed in the trans-Himalayan ranges of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, ➢ According to a recent genetic study by Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Himalayan Ibex is found to be a distinct species from the Siberian Ibex. ➢ Identification of Indian Ibex (Himalayan Ibex) as a distinct species will prioritize the conservation of the species at global level.

Indian Gazelle ➢ Recently, the ornithologists and researchers from Pune have reported three successful incidents in which Chinkara fawns were rescued, examined, treated, and re-wilded during foaling season. ➢ The Indian Gazelle (Chinkara) is an antelope endemic to the Indian subcontinent. ➢ Chinkara are native to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Vulnerable • CITES:Appendix-I • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

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Himalayan Serow ➢ A Himalayanserow (Capricornissumatraensisthar) has been sighted for the first time in the Spiti cold desert region, Himachal Pradesh. ➢ It is a subspecies of the mainland serow (Capricornissumatraensis). ➢ It resembles a cross between a goat, a donkey, a cow, and a pig. They are herbivores. ➢ It’s a medium-sized mammal with a large head, thick neck, short limbs, long, mule-like ears, and a coat of dark hair. ➢ There are several species of serows and all of them are found in Asia; They are found at altitudes between 2,000 metres and 4,000 metres (6,500 to 13,000 feet); They are known to be found in eastern, central, and western Himalayas but not in the Trans Himalayan region. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Vulnerable • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Dhole ➢ A study has pointed out that Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh rank high in the conservation of the endangered dhole, in India. ➢ Geographical Distribution: The is a canid native to Central, South and Southeast Asia. ➢ Other names for the species include Asiatic wild , Indian wild dog, whistling dog, red dog, and mountain wolf. ➢ The dole is a highly social animal, living in large clans without rigid dominance hierarchies and containing multiple breeding females. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Endangered • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:Schedule II • CITES: Appendix II ➢ Threats: Depletion of prey base, Habitat loss and transformation, Persecution of Dholes stems mainly from retaliatory killings due to livestock predation, Competition with other species like and Leopards for prey.

Eurasian Otters ➢ Researchers conducting a study in Odisha’s Chilika Lake have found the presence of a viable, breeding population of Eurasian Otters, a fishing cat in the brackish water lagoon. ➢ Species in India: Smooth-coated, Asian small-clawed and Eurasian Otters • Smooth-coated Otters are foundall over India; • Asian small-clawed Otters- are found only in the Himalayan foothills, parts of the Eastern and southern Western Ghats; • Eurasian Otters are found inWestern Ghats and Himalayas. ➢ Diet comprises several small animals, mainly crabs and small fishes. ➢ Lives in small packs, is mostly nocturnal, but can be diurnal in areas which are less disturbed. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Near Threatened • CITES: AppendixI • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II

Minks

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➢ Denmark, which has recorded more than 55,000 cases of COVID-19 so far, has also recorded over 200 human cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants that are associated with farmed minks. ➢ Mink are dark-colored, semiaquatic, carnivorous mammals of the genera Neovison and Mustela, and part of the family , which also includes , otters and . ➢ More than 50 million mink a year are bred for their fur, mainly in China, Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland. ➢ Mink oil is used in some medical products and cosmetics, as well as to treat, preserve and waterproof leather. ➢ There are two extant species referred to as “mink”: the and the European mink. ➢ The European mink is listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered due to an ongoing reduction in numbers.

Malayan Giant Squirrel ➢ Recently, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), in a first-of-its-kind study, has projected that numbers of the Malayan Giant Squirrel could decline by 90% in India by 2050, and it could be extinct by then if urgent steps are not taken. ➢ Scientific Name: Ratufabicolor. ➢ It is one of the world’s largest squirrel species that has a dark upper body, pale under parts, and a long, bushy tail. ➢ Unlike the nocturnal flying squirrels, giant squirrels are diurnal (active during the day), but arboreal (tree-dwelling) and herbivorous like the flying squirrels. ➢ It is found mostly in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, from plains to hills at elevations of 50 m to 1,500 m above sea level. ➢ Globally it is distributed through Southern China, , Laos, Vietnam, Burma, the Malayan Peninsula, Sumatra, and . ➢ In India, is found in the forests of Northeast and is currently found in parts of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and . ➢ It is considered to be a forest health indicator species. ➢ Conservation Status • IUCN: Near Threatened. • CITES: Appendix II. • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I. ➢ Threats: According to the study, the squirrel and its habitat are under threat from deforestation, fragmentation of forests, crop cultivation and over-harvesting of food, illegal trade in wildlife, and hunting for consumption.

Marmots ➢ Recently, reports of an outbreak of bubonic plague in Mongolia, China and far east Russia have emerged, caused mainly by Tarbagan Marmot (a species of Marmot). ➢ Marmot (genus Marmota) belongs to the squirrel family (Sciuridae) within the order Rodentia. ➢ Marmots are well suited for life in cold environments and have small fur- covered ears, short, stocky legs, and strong claws for digging. ➢ Marmots are diurnal (active during the day) and are almost entirely vegetarian. ➢ They are found primarily in the continents of Europe, Asia and North America. ➢ South Asia or the Indian Subcontinent is home to the Himalayan Marmot and the Long-tailed Marmot (both are Least Concerned in the IUCN Red List).

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➢ Tarbagan or Mongolian Marmot (Endangered) is found in Mongolia, China and parts of Russia. ➢ While digging burrows, marmots increase aeration in the soil which increases nutrient circulation and helps different plants to propagate. ➢ Threats: Marmots are hunted for their meat and fur in China and Mongolia.

Skinks of India ➢ Recently, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) brought a study on skinks (a kind of lizard), titled Skinks of India. ➢ It is the largest family of lizards, having long bodies, relatively small or no legs, no pronounced neck and glossy scales. ➢ It is found around homes, garages, and open spaces such as sparks and school playgrounds, and around lakes. ➢ Skinks are non-venomous, highly alert, agile and fast moving and actively forage for a variety of insects and small invertebrates. ➢ They have a prominent role in maintaining ecosystems, however, not much is known about their breeding habits, and ecology because identification of the species can be confusing. ➢ In India skinks are found in all kinds of habitats in the country, from the Himalayas to the coasts and from dense forests to the deserts. ➢ India is home to 62 species of skinks and about 57% of all the skinks found in India (33 species) are endemic. ➢ They are found in all kinds of habitats in the country, from the Himalayas to the coasts and from dense forests to the deserts. ➢ With 1,602 species of skinks across the world, making it the largest family of lizards, their occurrence in India is less than 4 % of the global diversity.

Bent Toed Gecko ➢ The new species of lizard, zoologically named Cyrtodactylusurbanus, is discovered in Guwahati. ➢ It is markedly different in molecular structure, blotch and color from the Cyrtodactylusguwahatiensis, or the Guwahati bent-toed gecko, that was discovered two years ago. ➢ The bent-toed gecko, named Cyrtodactylusurbanus, was earlier thought to be same as the Khasi Hills lizard. ➢ All bent-toed geckos in Northeast India were thought to be a single species, the Cyrtodactyluskhasiensis found primarily in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. ➢ The study on the urban bent-toed gecko provided additional information on the Guwahati bent-toed gecko, the first of the two Cyrtodactylus endemic to the areas covered by the city and the fourth from Assam. ➢ It was also the 12th recorded gecko from the Northeast.

SitanaDharwarensis ➢ New species of a Fan-Throated Lizard, ‘SitanaDharwarensis’ Discovered from Northern Karnataka. ➢ It is a new species of a fan-throated lizard; the new species is similar to a species Sitanalaticeps. ➢ But Sitanadharwarensisbears a much larger throat fan or dewlap. ➢ This is the second species to be discovered from the open scrub and rock terrain of northern Karnataka after Hemidactylus vijayraghavani, a gecko.

Assam Keelback Snake

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➢ More than a century after it was first seen, the Assam keelback- a snake species endemic to the region- was rediscovered in 2018 at the Poba Reserve Forest (RF) by a team from Wildlife Institute of India (WII). ➢ The species is small- about 60 cm long, brownish, with a patterned belly. ➢ This particular keelback does not belong to the generalized keelback snake of India but is rather a unique genus (Herpetoreas). ➢ It is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. ➢ It was discovered 129 years ago by Samuel Edward Peel, a British tea planter based in Upper Assam. ➢ The snake’s ‘lost’ status has a lot to do with the habitat it occupies- in this case, a lowland evergreen forest. ➢ These forests have been selectively degraded during the last 100 years: tea plantations have been made, selective logging has taken place, and many other activities such as oil exploration and coal mining.

Trimeresurus Salazar ➢ Team of researchers have discovered a new species of venomous snake in Arunachal Pradesh and named it Trimeresurus Salazar. ➢ It is the fifth variety of reptiles to have been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh in a little more than a year. ➢ It was discovered from the evergreen forests of the in Arunachal Pradesh. ➢ The new species is named after J.K. Rowling’s fictional Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’s co-founder, Salazar Slytherin. ➢ The new species belongs to the group of green pit vipers. ➢ There are over 22 types of green pit vipers found in India. ➢ The proposed 49-km Seijosa-Bhalukpong road will cut through the habitat of the new species. ➢ Roads take a heavy toll on the life of fauna and data from various studies have highlighted the high mortality of snakes due to vehicular movement. ➢ Anthropogenic activities like road widening, construction of dams and hydropower plants threaten the forest and biodiversity throughout Arunachal Pradesh.

CraspedotropisGretathunbergae ➢ A group of scientists have recently discovered a new species of land snail in Brunei. ➢ The new species reside in tropical rainforests and is sensitive to drought and extreme temperatures (which have become more frequent due to climate change). ➢ Hence as an honour to Swedish Climate Change activist Greta Thunberg, who has been making efforts to raise awareness about climate change, the new snail species was named as CraspedotropisGretathunbergae. ➢ The two-millimetre-long snails have dark grey tentacles, a pale body and a concave shell, whose outer part is greenish-brown. ➢ Recently, a tiny species of beetle was also named after her as NelloptodesGretae. ➢ In 2018, a new species of beetle (GrouvellinusLeonardodicaprioi) was named after the actor Leonardo DiCaprio (an American actor, producer, and environmentalist).

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Giant African Snail Invasion ➢ Study finds repeated waves of Giant African Snail invasion in Kerala. ➢ Giant African Snail (Achatinafulica) is one of the worst invasive species declared by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). ➢ It is suspected to spread eosinophilic meningitis, septicaemia and peritonitis in humans. ➢ The Giant African Snail in Asia and Africa has had multiple episodes of invasion. ➢ New snail populations continue to arrive in India from snail-infested countries across the world. ➢ Its population found in India had a higher genetic variety than those in the native African continent. ➢ This genetic variety indicates that the snail continues to have multiple invasions in India, mainly Kerala, from different countries. ➢ A Study Conducted at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) with the support of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) between 2016 and 2020, the study was published in the biological journal of the Linnean Society.

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