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Bigcats News - Printable Version

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RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-16-2014

(05-15-2014, 10:23 PM)'Pckts' Wrote: The shocking seizure of so many dead pangolin - proves the sheer scale of the illegal wildlife trade from the wild. Chinese Authorities Foil Attempt to Smuggle 956 Dead Pangolins

Chinese authorities have intercepted 956 smuggled pangolin carcasses — one of the largest ever illegal pangolin operations it has ever seen, reports China’s state broadcaster, Xinhua.

The carcasses were being smuggled by car through the southernmost Guangdong province, which houses the port city of Hong Kong, and were hidden in 189 cooler containers. The smuggled wildlife cargo weighed 4 tonnes altogether. The driver was arrested and can face up to 10 years in jail according to a recent reinterpretation of China’s criminal law regarding the consumption and trade of endangered species – a move that is hoped to signify a crackdown on the issue by national authorities.

Demand for pangolins is high in China, where the flesh is sought after as a delicacy and the scales are consumed for alleged medicinal purposes.

Read the full story on Annamiticus at http://annamiticus.com/2014/05/14/chinese-authorities-foil-attempt-to-smuggle-956-pangolins/

Image: Nearly 1,000 dead pangolins were seized by Chinese authorities, via news.163.com

*This image is copyright of its original author

 

 



This is heart breaking to watch so many pangolins dead.

 


RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-16-2014

(05-15-2014, 10:24 PM)'Pckts' Wrote: Vijaya (Kankati) the famous one eyed tigress of the Tala zone has given birth to her second litter of three cubs and shown them in public for the first time. More joy to come in teh coming season. the kankati female with her new cubs

*This image is copyright of its original author

 

 



Good news 
TFS


RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-17-2014

One more lion cub found dead near Pipavav port

The forest department on Tuesday recovered yet another carcass of a lion cub near Pipavav port in Amreli district.The cub's carcass was found about 200 metres from the place where a lion cub, which was hit by a goods train on Sunday, was found.The carcass was eaten away by stray dogs from the area.

Though the forest officials claim that the death could be an incident of infighting, locals said there is strong possibility of this cub dying in the same train accident on Sunday. It is likely that the cub would have been dragged by the stray animals from the area, they added.

The villagers claims that the lion cub that died on Sunday was from a pride of five that included two cubs, both of which have died.On Sunday, the male cub, which was about seven months old, was found lying besides the track between Bherai and Pipavav port. At around 6am, some villagers spotted the carcass and informed the forest department officials, who reached the place.

Deputy conservator of forests, in charge of Amreli forest division, P Purushothama said, "This looks like an incident of infighting. The postmortem report will reveal the exact time of death and only then the department would be able to ascertain the cause of death."He dismissed villagers' view that the cub found dead on Tuesday was from the group of five.

"We have identified and spotted the entire pride of which the cub that died on Sunday was a part," he said.Purushothama added that the possibility of infighting seems more as for the last one week the department has spotted a nomad in the area who is trying to capture the territory.



http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/One-more-lion-cub-found-dead-near-Pipavav-port/articleshow/35101135.cms


RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-17-2014

Pench tigress release mired in red tape

The already belated move to relocate Pench tigress into its natural habitat seems to be turning into a futile exercise due to inordinate delays by the government institutions, which otherwise should support the national cause.

Three tigers, two females and a male, around 5 years, are being trained to hunt in captivity in a four hectare enclosure in Pench tiger reserve. The 6-month-old cubs were rescued from Dhaba forest range in Gondpipri (Chandrapur) in September 2009.

Lot of time was wasted in release of the cubs since then owing to lack of quick decision making. It was only in January 2014, when a three-member NTCA team gave a green signal for intensive pre-release monitoring of one tigress which is doing extremely well.

Even as the NTCA team granted a go-ahead to release one tigress, as per its own protocol assigning a satellite radio collar is mandatory before release.

The A&S Creations, Delhi, who is authorized distributor for radio collars, has even procured one for the Pench tigress from Germany, but since February 6, the collar is lying with the customs department and held up for want of some 'flimsy' clearances despite being pointed out by authorities that the collar will be tagged to a tigress.

The bottleneck in importing a radio collar is that as customs classifies it under restricted category that needs a specific import licence from director general of foreign trade (DGFT) and further a licence from wireless planning & coordination (WPC) wing of the ministry of communications after getting clearance from the ministry of environment & forests (MoEF).

Documents in possession to show that A&S Creations has been writing to WPC since February 12, and pursuing the authorities to give a go-ahead to clear the radio collar which is for Pench tigress. The firm has also drawn attention of NTCA.

NTCA joint director SP Yadav was not available for comments. "Earlier, the NTCA had delayed release of tigress by not responding early to the letters written by state wildlife wing officials," a retired APCCF told.

Even as the A&S Creations communicated with the DGFT and ministry of communications on February 12, the first response from the DGFT came only March 13, sating that it has to submit application form for import of restricted items along with grant of import authorization. The WPC also asked the firm on March 21, to follow the licencing requirements under the Telegraph Act 1885.

However, directors of A&S Creations say, "We have received orders for seven radio collars out of which one for Pench has arrived. We have imported several radio collars earlier. If the procedures as prescribed by both WPC and DGFT are followed it would taken an year to get the collar released from the customs."

Radio collar expert and wildlife biologist Vidya Athreya warns if the collar is stranded for long the battery may drain off to a significant extent even if it has an on and off switch. "Why should it take so long. Many tigers have been collared in India but there seems to be no security threat," she said. A government department is seeking permission from another government department then why the issue, she added.

Joint wireless adviser to the central government RB Prasad said, "We have not delayed the process. The firm will have to come with an import licence. We have already cleared our stand."

However, even as the NTCA panel recommendations had brightened hope for a unique experiment, red tape seems to have dashed all hopes.



http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Pench-tigress-release-mired-in-red-tape/articleshow/35059540.cms
 


RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-17-2014

Villagers kill leopard after attack



*This image is copyright of its original author



In another case of man-animal conflict in Assam, villagers killed an adult leopard this morning on the eastern outskirts of Jorhat. The nails and a few teeth were also found missing from the carcass by the forest department.

Forest department sources said the incident took place at Duliagaon in the Kakajan area under the Jorhat range of Jorhat forest division.

According to the sources, a group of six persons from Duliagaon had gone inside a forest nearby around 10.30am to collect firewood for a marriage party later today.

As the group was collecting pieces of wood, a leopard suddenly appeared and charged towards them. Sources said to “save their lives”, the villagers attacked the big cat with machetes and sticks they had brought with them and killed it instantly.

Deputy ranger (Jorhat range), Noren Baruah, who led the forest team to the site, told this correspondent that the leopard was dead by the time they reached the spot.

Baruah said locals backed the version of events narrated by the group to the forest staff and they had attacked the animal in “self-defence”.

He said a few teeth and nails were found missing from the carcass, while its tail and legs were intact.

“Some miscreants may have cut the teeth and nails as there is a myth the animal parts have medicinal value,” the forest official said.

Baruah said an FIR has been lodged with police for an investigation alongside the probe being carried out by the forest department.

He said if any evidence was found that the leopard was killed without any provocation or threat, legal action would be initiated against those who deliberately killed the big cat. The official said the leopard was listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and killing the animal was a crime.

If a person is convicted for killing a leopard, he could be imprisoned for up to five years.

Baruah said the carcass was shifted to the veterinary hospital here for carrying out post-mortem and will be cremated according to department rules.

This year, over five leopards have been killed in the Upper Assam districts alone with the latest incident occurring in Tinsukia district last month.

Several incidents of leopard straying out to human habitations in recent times have added to the woes of the forest staff in Upper Assam, with one leopard having been tranquillised for treatment on April 24 near Mariani town in Jorhat district.

Over 15 leopards were killed in the state last year, with most of the incidents reported from Upper Assam.[/font]



http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140512/jsp/northeast/story_18332766.jsp#.U3aUMPmSw0s


RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-18-2014

Two held for trying to sell tiger pelt

Two men were arrested for allegedly possessing a tiger pelt here on Thursday. [/font]

Ashokapuram police took Shivanna and Jagadish, residents of Jayanagar, into custody after they were found moving around in a suspicious manner near a park. To their surprise, police found tiger skin in their bag. 

Inspector Harish Babu K M said that Shivanna, a plumber, and his friend Jagadish have been taken into custody for investigation. "We are still clueless about where they got the pelt. The worn-out hide, which is old, has been recovered in pieces," the inspector said. 

The two men, who did not disclose their source, have been booked under the provisions of Wildlife Protection Act (1972). They may be taken into police custody for further probe. 

Meanwhile, DCF (territorial) V Karikalan and DCF (wildlife) K Kamala claimed that they have not got any information about the arrest. Karikalan said that he will check with local police about the seizure of the tiger pelt. 

Two years ago, Mysore police caught a man with a fake pelt. The accused was caught while trying to sell the hide of an oxen after painting it like that of a tiger. 

Man held for illegally refilling LPG: A youth was arrested late on Wednesday for allegedly carrying out an illegal business in east Mysore. Govindaraju, 37, a resident of Alanahalli here, has been accused of illegally refilling domestic LPG cylinders in Yeraganahalli. Fifteen cylinders, refilling equipment and Rs 4,500 have been seized from him. 

CCB police, accompanied by the inspectors of food and civil supplies department, raided a shop bearing the name board 'AJ Medical' in Vidyanagar and seized the cylinders.
[/color]


http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/two-held-for-trying-to-sell-tiger-pelt/articleshow/35182520.cms


RE: Bigcats News - sanjay - 05-18-2014

great news prathap


RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-18-2014

Mobile Service Unit to Rescue Wild Animals


Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in collaboration with Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) on Thursday launched a Mobile Veterinary Service (MVS) unit to facilitate rescue of wild animals.

Field Director of STR and Regional CCF Anup Kumar Nayak said this was a new intervention in Odisha. “The MVS unit will handle the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals in Similipal landscape including adjoining Kuldiha sanctuary area in Balasore district,” he added. An MoU for the purpose had been signed between Similipal Tiger Conservation Foundation and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in March 2013. The MVS unit will operate from Pithabata wildlife range office campus on the fringe of STR to immediately respond to any wildlife emergency.

Chief of Wild Rescue and Conflict Mitigation of WTI NVK Ashraf said for the first time, the State will have a dedicated mobile unit manned by trained veterinarian and caretaker to attend to wildlife emergencies reported from the region.

“The objective will be to return every displaced animal to the wild. All releases would follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines on translocation and placement of confiscated animals,” he said adding that the unit will be served by a small field station that will have basic facilities to accommodate temporarily displaced animals till their release.

There is also a plan to launch awareness drive among the local villagers on how to deal with and respond to different conflict scenarios. The Forest department staff will also be trained in handling rescue operations and man-animal conflict.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Mobile-Service-Unit-to-Rescue-Wild-Animals/2014/05/16/article2227755.ece 

 


RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-18-2014

Saving the Asiatic lion by moving it

Its a nice article do read it, click the link below

http://www.dw.de/saving-the-asiatic-lion-by-moving-it/a-17632233



 


RE: Bigcats News - sanjay - 05-18-2014

Good find prathap.. This website has also other good article about wild animal.


RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-18-2014

(05-18-2014, 04:22 PM)'sanjay' Wrote: Good find prathap.. This website has also other good article about wild animal.

 


Yeah there are many good articles on that website.

 


RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-18-2014

Ethiopia's rare mountain lions







Check the link
http://www.dw.de/ethiopias-rare-mountain-lions/a-17632135


RE: Bigcats News - Pckts - 05-18-2014

(05-18-2014, 03:55 PM)'Apollo' Wrote: Mobile Service Unit to Rescue Wild Animals


Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in collaboration with Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) on Thursday launched a Mobile Veterinary Service (MVS) unit to facilitate rescue of wild animals.

Field Director of STR and Regional CCF Anup Kumar Nayak said this was a new intervention in Odisha. “The MVS unit will handle the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals in Similipal landscape including adjoining Kuldiha sanctuary area in Balasore district,” he added. An MoU for the purpose had been signed between Similipal Tiger Conservation Foundation and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in March 2013. The MVS unit will operate from Pithabata wildlife range office campus on the fringe of STR to immediately respond to any wildlife emergency.

Chief of Wild Rescue and Conflict Mitigation of WTI NVK Ashraf said for the first time, the State will have a dedicated mobile unit manned by trained veterinarian and caretaker to attend to wildlife emergencies reported from the region.

“The objective will be to return every displaced animal to the wild. All releases would follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines on translocation and placement of confiscated animals,” he said adding that the unit will be served by a small field station that will have basic facilities to accommodate temporarily displaced animals till their release.

There is also a plan to launch awareness drive among the local villagers on how to deal with and respond to different conflict scenarios. The Forest department staff will also be trained in handling rescue operations and man-animal conflict.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Mobile-Service-Unit-to-Rescue-Wild-Animals/2014/05/16/article2227755.ece 

 

 


Could be a good way to get weights of injured tigers or other animals, hopefully they take it when the oppurtunity presents itself. 
 


RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-19-2014

In recent times some tigers which were captured were weighed, but when I contacted the authority no one is ready to send a reply.
 


RE: Bigcats News - Apollo - 05-19-2014

65 tiger sightings thrill volunteers in Vidarbha region's national parks


The machan(waterhole) census carried out in various sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves in Vidarbha thrilled the volunteers with a record 66 individual tiger sightings apart from other wildlife.

Of the total tiger 66 sightings, 29 were in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), 24 in parks under Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), seven in Melghat Tiger Reserve and five in Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR). However, the figure doesn't include sightings in buffer area of Tadoba where too many volunteers participated in the exercise.

"There were direct seven tiger and 14 leopard sightings in Melghat. Over 300 volunteers participated at 414 water holes," said D K Tyagi, CCF & field director of Melghat.

Unlike last year, Tadoba and Pench stole the show with maximum tiger sightings. Assistant conservator of forests (ACF) CS Reddy said in Tadoba range 14 tigers were sighted from 15 machans. Similarly, in Kolsa and Moharli ranges, nine and six tigers respectively were sighted. "At many places, sloth bear sightings were recorded indicating their number might have gone up," said Reddy.

Chief conservator of forests (CCF) & field director of Pench MS Reddy informed that as per reports from volunteers and range forest officers (RFOs), 24 tigers including cubs were sighted in various ranges of Tipeshwar, Umred-Karhandla, Mansinghdeo, Bor, New Bor, and East and West Pench.

"Of the 24, five including a tigress and two cubs were sighted in Pilekhan, one each in Bhimkund and Karchuki. There were 32 machans in Tipeshwar. In Painganga, 13 volunteers sighted 14 wolves and three sloth bears," said Reddy. In two ranges, Kuhi and Umred, of Umred-Karhandla, six tigers and three leopards were sighted besides 39 bisons in Umred and 40 in Paoni range. Volunteers also sighted 16 wild dogs.

In East Pench, a tiger and a tigress besides two tigers at separate spots were sighted near Venu Van, Bhakari and Hattigota areas. One tiger was sighted in West Pench and one in Chorbahuli. "It was not only tigers but volunteers also reported sighting of 53 bisons. Participants also recorded eight vultures, 45 wild dogs and 43 jackals and two crocodiles," said Himanshu Bagde, a volunteer. In Bor and New Bor, five tigers and two leopards were sighted, besides a record 20 sloth bears.

Talking to TOI, divisional forest officer (DFO) Ashok Khune said two tigers each were sighted in Nagzira and New Nagzira while one was sighted in Koka. "We allowed volunteers in waiting list to participate as half of those listed earlier did not turn up," said Khune. It was exactly opposite in Tadoba and Pench where many applications had to be rejected. For the first time, Pench officials allotted machans by draw of lots. They also allowed participation on first-come-first-served basis.

This time the census was conducted in a more organized manner. Participants were supplied chilled water cans by Rotary Club of Chandrapur besides snacks by the forest department. "The department needs to take up such exercises to sensitize people," said senior counsel CS Kaptan, who was part of the exercise.



http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/65-tiger-sightings-thrill-volunteers-in-Vidarbha-regions-national-parks/articleshow/35272611.cms