Animal Welfare

SC to deliver order on next steps in stray dogs case on November 7

The Supreme Court on Monday said it would pass order in the stray dogs case on November 7. A three-judge special bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria noted that chief secretaries of most of the states and Union Territories were present before it. It allowed the exemption application filed by the chief secretary of Kerala and noted that a principal secretary of the state was present in the court. The bench said the Animal Welfare Board of India be made a party in the matter. At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that most of the states and UTs have filed their compliance affidavit in the matter. "List for orders on November 7," the bench said. It said personal presence of the chief secretaries of states and UTs would no longer be required. However, the bench said their presence would again become necessary in case there was any default in compliance of the orders passed by the court. While hearing the matter on October 2

Supreme Court gives clean chit to Reliance's Vantara animal acquisitions

Accepting the report of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that it had appointed to look into allegations of misuse of laws governing the acquisition of animals from India and abroad

No stray dogs in Delhi? SC target challenges MCD's funds and capacity

Supreme Court orders removal of 5,000 stray dogs in Delhi within six weeks - but MCD's funding, capacity, and operations raise questions amid animal rights concerns

Over 50% tiger deaths since 2021 occurred outside tiger reserves: Govt

More than half of the tiger deaths in India between 2021 and 2025 so far have occurred outside protected reserves, with Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh accounting for the highest numbers, government data shows. According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), 667 tigers died during this period, of which 341, or 51 per cent, were outside tiger reserves. The year-wise data shows 129 tiger deaths in 2021; 122 in 2022; 182 in 2023; 126 in 2024 and 108 so far in 2025. Deaths outside reserves were 64 in 2021; 52 in 2022; 100 in 2023; 65 in 2024 and 60 in 2025 so far. Maharashtra reported the highest number of deaths outside reserves at 111, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 90. In 2021, Maharashtra recorded 23 such deaths, Madhya Pradesh 18, Kerala five and Telangana four. In 2022, Maharashtra saw 18 deaths, Madhya Pradesh 12, and Kerala and Uttarakhand four each. In 2023, 34 tigers died outside reserves in Maharashtra, 13 in Madhya Pradesh, 11 each in Kerala and Uttarakhand

Delhi Zoo partners with Vantara to strengthen animal care, staff training

The National Zoological Park in Delhi is set to collaborate with animal welfare organisation Vantara in a move aimed at improving animal care, staff training and overall management of the zoo. "This initiative aims to strengthen the zoo's operations and transform it into a more meaningful and enriching experience for the people of Delhi," Vantara CEO Vivaan Karani said. The collaboration aims to support animal care through shared resources, scientific expertise, and modern facilities, officials said in a statement. It is designed to combine the strengths of the public institution with Vantara's specialised knowledge in animal welfare, it stated. The agreement has drawn criticism from some quarters, with a few alleging it is a step towards privatisation. However, a statement from Vantara said the partnership does not transfer any ownership or administrative control and is strictly focused on collaborative efforts. "It reflects a forward-thinking move by the Delhi government to bring

Delhi HC asks state government to frame policy on rehabilitating stray dogs

The court asked govt to consult with all stakeholders, saying rehabilitation must be done at an institutional level instead of releasing strays back on street after sterilization and vaccination

Man behind PM Modi's Project Cheetah, Vincent Van Der Merwe, found dead

Vincent Van Der Merwe (42) was a 'cheetah expert' from South Africa. He was found dead in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Vincent was the expert who advised the Indian government on 'Project Cheetah'

Zoo breeding programmes face poor management, funding woes, says govt panel

While India's zoos have made "notable" progress in breeding endangered species under conservation programmes that started around a decade ago, a government panel says that persistent gaps in execution, funding and species management hinder their overall success. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA), which is responsible for overseeing and guiding national-level ex situ conservation efforts, constituted a committee in 2023 to review and evaluate the state of conservation breeding programmes in zoos across the country. In 2007, the CZA selected 74 species for breeding in 43 zoos. By 2014, 26 high-priority species were shortlisted and breeding programmes began for 23. According to the report of the committee submitted to the CZA recently, while India's zoos have made "notable progress in housing and breeding several endangered species, the overall effectiveness of conservation breeding programmes is hindered by persistent foundational and operational challenges". "Addressing these issues w

AI, QR enabled pendants launched to enhance cow safety, well-being

A city-based foundation has come up with an artificial intelligence-enabled pendant embedded with a QR code for cows to ensure their well-being and safety. The "Gau Raksha Kavach" pendant will remind one of the vaccination date of the cow through an email or SMS. When scanned, the code will show the medical history of the cow on the spot. The pendant has a reflective collar which will save stray cows from road accidents. This initiative was launched by the Ridlan AI Foundation on Wednesday. BJP leader and former MP Poonam Mahajan launched the pendants on Wednesday. This is a very brilliant idea of AI-complied pendants for cows from the old culture of India. I am blessed to connect with leaders of India who think about giving back to the society, giving voice to the voiceless," Mahajan said remembering former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth centenary. "I have been working for animals, and with Akshay, founder of the Ridlan AI Foundation, we have done this unique program in th

World Animal Day 2024: History, significance, theme, quotes and more

World Animal Day is observed every year on October 4 to highlight the importance of animals and spread awareness for their welfare to maintain ecological balance

Ratan Tata urges Mumbai people in post to donate blood for stray puppy

Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, shared a post of an ailing stray dog and the eligibility criteria for donor dogs, stressing on the urgent need for a blood donor

Jains pose as Muslims in Delhi, buy 124 goats to deter sacrifice on Bakrid

Members of the Jain community disguised themselves as Muslims and visited markets of old Delhi a day before the festival of Bakrid to buy dozens of goats to 'save' them

German Shepherd attacks 6-year-old girl in Ghaziabad society, video viral

A German Shepherd went after a six-year-old girl while she was riding her bike in a residential complex in Ghaziabad. A CCTV camera recorded the attack at the Ajnara Integrity Housing Society

Royal diet for elephants at Anant Ambani's Vantara, have a look at the menu

Royal diet for elephants at the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT). They get to eat Khichdi, roti, pallets, etc. Vantara shared their daily diet chart here

Centre prohibits foreign dog breeds commonly used for illegal fighting

The import of such dog breeds is also recommended to be prohibited by the expert committee formed under the chairmanship of the commissioner of Animal Husbandry

16K sheep, cattle stuck on board export ship after Red Sea turn-back

The animals have been on the vessel since January 5 Government and industry officials say they are in good health but animal welfare advocates have branded their plight torture

World Animal Welfare Day 2023: History, theme, importance, quotes, facts

World Animal Day is about promoting the rights, needs and welfare of the animals. The objective is to give the appreciation to even the most overlooked creatures

Rajasthan elections: CM approves retirement benefits for part-time workers

Rajasthan's animal welfare board has been named "Amrita Devi State Animal Welfare Board", after Amrita Devi Bishnoi, during a state cabinet meeting

India to get $25 million grant for strengthening animal health system

India is among the very few countries which has got funding for safeguarding animal health

India to get $25 mn from G20 Pandemic Fund to support animal health system

India will receive USD 25 million from the G20 Pandemic Fund for strengthening animal health system of the country. The fund that was established under Indonesia's G20 Presidency is targeted at low-to middle-income countries to finance efforts like surveillance, research, and better access to vaccines, among others measures. According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the G20 Pandemic Fund has approved India's USD 25-million proposal for strengthening animal health security in the country for pandemic preparedness and response. The major interventions to be taken under the proposal include: strengthening and integrating disease surveillance and early warning system; upgrading and expanding the laboratory network; improving the inter-operable data systems and building capacity for data analytics for risk analysis and risk communication, the ministry said in a statement. The other interventions include strengthening health security for transboundary animal