Animals

Delhi Zoo reopens after two-month shutdown due to avian flu scare

The National Zoological Park in Delhi reopened for visitors on Saturday, after more than two months of shutdown following the detection of avian influenza, officials said. The zoo had been closed since August 30 as a precautionary measure after several bird deaths were reported in its waterbird aviary. "After receiving approval from competent authority, the National Zoological Park has reopened for visitors from November 8," the zoo said in a statement, adding that strict biosafety and preventive measures will continue. Authorities carried out rigorous cleaning, surveillance, and multiple rounds of testing under the Action Plan for Preparedness, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza (Revised 2021) issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The samples collected after the initial outbreak were found to be negative in tests conducted at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, paving the way for reopening. The last positive case

India launches National Red List Assessment to map species extinction risk

India on Thursday launched a National Red List Assessment initiative to accurately assess the conservation status of its species and fulfil commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The National Red List Roadmap, unveiled at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, will create a nationally coordinated red-listing system to support conservation planning, policy making and threat mitigation, Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said. Singh presented India's Vision 2025-2030 for the National Red List Assessment, a framework prepared by the Zoological Survey of India and the Botanical Survey of India in collaboration with IUCN-India and the Centre for Species Survival. He said the programme aims to publish National Red Data Books for both flora and fauna by 2030, using IUCN-aligned scientific guidelines. Speaking at the launch, the minister highlighted India's rich biodiversity, noti

Project Cheetah: New big cats expected by year-end, talks underway

At present, India has 27 cheetahs, including 11 translocated from South Africa and Namibia in two batches, and 16 born in India

Australia approves world-first vaccine to save koalas from chlamydia

A regulator has approved a world-first vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia infections, which are causing infertility and death in the iconic native species that is listed as endangered in parts of Australia. The single-dose vaccine was developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland state after more than a decade of research led by professor of microbiology Peter Timms. The research showed the vaccine reduced the likelihood of koalas developing symptoms of chlamydia during breeding age and decreased mortality from the disease in wild populations by at least 65%. The recent approval by Australia's veterinary medicine regulator means the vaccine can now be used in wildlife hospitals, veterinary clinics and in the field to protect the nation's most at-risk koalas, Timms said on Wednesday. We knew a single-dose vaccine with no need for a booster was the answer to reducing the rapid, devastating spread of this disease, which accounts for as much as half of koala .

Delhi Zoo shut for visitors after H5N1 bird flu detected in painted storks

Samples from the two dead storks were sent to the National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal on August 27 and confirmed positive on August 28, the officials said

Public opinion widely divided over Supreme Court's order on stray dogs

While a section of people has backed the directive on the relocation of canines to shelters, several politicians and celebrities have voiced concern

Over 4K mobile veterinary unit running in India, no expansion planned: Govt

The government on Wednesday said as many as 4,019 Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) have been made operational in 29 states and union territories since their launch in 2021-22. "Presently, there is no plan at present to expand the MVU programme beyond the existing states and union territories," Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S P Singh Baghel, in his written reply to the Rajya Sabha. The mobile veterinary units are operational in 29 states and union territories. "So far, 91.56 lakh farmers have benefited and 1.90 crore animals have been treated with the help of MVUs," he said. The scheme, which was launched during 2021-22, became fully functional by FY 2023-24 and hence no mid-term review could be done for MVUs, he added.

Vantara says it didn't initiate elephant Mahadevi's move to Jamnagar

Vantara did not initiate or request the relocation of the elephant named Mahadevi from a monastery in Kolhapur to its facility in Jamnagar but served only as the court-appointed recipient facility", the NGO said in a statement. Mahadevi, who was with a Jain monastery at Nandani in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district for over three decades, was relocated to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT) in Vantara's wildlife rehabilitation facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, earlier this week following a court ruling. "Vantara was not the initiating party, and that the entire process has been conducted under judicial and statutory oversight, in coordination with the appropriate authorities. The organisation acknowledged Mahadevi's deep emotional and cultural significance in Kolhapur, but it acted solely as a court-appointed recipient facility. "The reasons for the transfer are fully documented in the judicial orders, which speak for themselves, reads the statement from Vantara. The

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

SC's 'advice' reveals deep fault lines over the issue of stray dogs

Loving or hating dogs is beside the point. For the good of both people and animals, the Indy population needs to be controlled

Over 9 million animal bites and 5,700 rabies deaths in India yearly: ICMR

Despite strong vaccine uptake, India's rabies fight is failing due to poor access to full post-bite care, especially immunoglobulin, the ICMR warns in its latest findings

Govt may allow GM animal-feed imports from US in proposed trade deal

Indian and US officials have been engaged in intense negotiations over last few days to iron out differences in a bid to secure a deal before a July 9 deadline

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

Advent to invest $175 million in animal health drugmaker Felix Pharma

The deal, which includes both primary and secondary transactions, positions Felix to accelerate its global ambitions as a differentiated player in the nascent but expanding companion animal generics

Rajasthan to start registration process for animal insurance scheme

The scheme, announced in the state's 2025 budget, aims to provide financial assistance in case of accidental death of livestock animals

Delhi Zoo to sign MoU with Vantara, Congress raises privatisation fears

The agreement will be a 'knowledge-sharing partnership' between the Delhi NZP, GZRRC, and the Gujarat government, a senior official said

Two South African cheetahs released in MP's Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary

More to come from Botswana; wildlife activists oppose keeping 2 sub-species together

The 'de-extinction' of the dire wolf could be both a gift and a curse

Despite its potential for conservation, questions around the consequences of resurrecting extinct species remain

We must show kindness, compassion towards animals: Former CJI Chandrachud

Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has called upon people to show kindness towards animals and embrace a more compassionate way of living. Speaking at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India's 25th-anniversary celebration, which featured a Beatles-themed brunch, Chandrachud praised the organisation's efforts in advocating for animal rights and promoting veganism. He highlighted the importance of recognising animals as sentient beings and urged people to extend kindness to them. "PETA India has done remarkable work in the last 25 years, and what began as just a small movement has now spread its wings across India and beyond. We recognise that we have an important role in spreading compassion, love, and kindness, and remember that the other species on this planet have so much to teach us," Chandrachud said. The event also featured a talk by Ingrid Newkirk, the founder of PETA entities worldwide, who emphasised the need to acknowledge the suffering of animal

Delhi CM orders large-scale cleanliness drive, stray animal management

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed officials to launch a large-scale cleanliness drive across the city, remove illegal advertisements from public spaces and implement special measures to manage stray animals. On Wednesday, Gupta held a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat to review the city's cleanliness, civic infrastructure and public amenities, a statement said, adding that the discussion focused on issues such as stray animals, potholes, dust pollution, sewer blockages and illegal advertisements on public properties. Senior officials from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) were present at the meeting, the statement said. During the meeting, the chief minister directed the MCD to ensure that all officials, from the commissioner to junior engineers, conduct regular field inspections. She emphasised that each officer must visit ..