Page 2 - Wildlife

Cheetahs Prabhash, Pavak relocated to MP's Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary

Two South African cheetahs, Prabhash and Pavak, who were translocated to Kuno National Park more than two years ago, found a new home on Sunday when Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released them into the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. These six-year-old male cheetahs, originally brought from South Africa's Waterberg Biosphere Reserve to Kuno National Park in February 2023, arrived at Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, which spans Neemuch and Mandsaur districts, after a road journey. CM Yadav released them in the sanctuary at Basigaon Khemla on Sunday evening. Earlier, Yadav highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spearheaded a successful effort to reintroduce cheetahs to Asia in September 2022. "It is our good fortune that the most favourable conditions for the restoration of cheetahs in all of Asia exist in our country, particularly in Madhya Pradesh," he remarked. Earlier in the day, the two cheetahs were transported by road to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, located over 250 kilometr

Wildlife reserves across GCC countries grow by 6.6% in 2023, shows data

According to the statistics published in the March 2025 bulletin, the cumulative area of nature reserves in the GCC recorded a notable leap in 2020

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

1st photo of Woolly Flying Squirrel recorded in Himachal's Miyar Valley

The wildlife wing of Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (HPFD) has captured the first-ever photographic evidence of the elusive Woolly Flying Squirrel at Miyar Valley in Lahaul and Spiti district. This rare documentation was made during a camera trapping survey conducted between October 10 and December 4, 2024, a forest department spokesperson said in a statement issued on Saturday. The spokesperson said the Woolly Flying Squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus), endemic to the north-western Himalayas, was long believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994 after a gap of nearly 70 years. The confirmation of its presence marks a noteworthy addition to the state's list of mammals and a significant milestone in wildlife conservation efforts. He said that the camera trapping survey was part of the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) initiative. The survey followed SPAI protocols and involved the installation of 62 camera traps across strategic locations in Miyar Valley.

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'

Cheetah, 4 cubs to be released into wild in MP's Kuno National Park

In a boost to India's cheetah conservation project, a female big cat and its four cubs will be released into the wild at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on Monday, a development expected to draw tourists to the facility. Sharing the information on X on Sunday night, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the increased number of cheetahs will offer tourists an opportunity to watch them in their natural habitat, which will attract more visitors to the KNP, located in Sheopur district. "Female cheetah Gamini from South Africa will be released in the free-range tomorrow (Monday) along with her two male and two female cubs in Khajuri tourism zone of the Kuno National Park," Yadav said in the post. The Madhya Pradesh government is determined to take wildlife conservation and tourism to new heights, he added. After the release of Gamini and her four cubs, the number of cheetahs in the wild in KNP will rise to 17, while nine will stay in the enclosures. According to officials, Gamini g

First-ever survey finds over 6,300 river dolphins in country; highest in UP

The first population estimation of riverine dolphins in India has revealed the presence of 6,327 dolphins in the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Indus river systems, according to a government report published on Monday. As part of 'Project Dolphin', a comprehensive survey was conducted for the first time to estimate the population of river dolphins across eight states -- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and Punjab. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of dolphins at 2,397, followed by Bihar 2,220, West Bengal 815, Assam 635, Jharkhand 162, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh 95, and Punjab 3, the report said. The Ganges river dolphin, known for its unique features, is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system and its tributaries across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. A small population of the Indus river dolphin, a close relative of the Ganges river dolphin, is found in the Indus river system in India. According to the report titled ...

Cheetah reintroduction plan to be expanded to Gujarat, MP's Gandhisagar: PM

After Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park, cheetah introduction will be expanded to Banni Grasslands in Gujarat and Gandhisagar Sanctuary of MP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced at the seventh National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) meeting here on Monday. African cheetahs were reintroduced at Kuno National Park in two batches in September 2022 and February 2023. "The Prime Minister announced that cheetah introduction will be expanded to other areas, including the Gandhisagar sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh and Banni Grasslands in Gujarat," a government release stated. The release, however, did not specify details about the number of wild cats to be brought in at both forest areas and the timeline. Banni Grasslands is a 2,500 sq km protected forest in the Kutch district of Gujarat that supports numerous animal genetic resources like Banni buffalo, Kankrej cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and horses. The grassland is a breeding and nesting ground for more than 250 bird species, including

PM Modi chairs Wildlife Board meet in Gujarat, announces lion census

Soon after completing his lion safari at Gir National Park in the morning, Modi headed for the NBWL meeting, at Sasan in Gujarat's Junagadh district

World Wildlife Day 2025: History, theme, Modi's statement and more

World Wildlife Day, celebrated on March 3, aims to raise awareness about the planet's diverse flora and fauna. Marking the occasion, PM Modi also emphasised the importance of wildlife conservation

Priyanka Gandhi urges Kerala CM to release funds for human-wildlife victims

She further said that on recent visits, she met with the families of the victims and, also discussed the matter with local authorities

Cheetah 'Veera' gives birth to two cubs in MP's Kuno National Park

Cheetah Veera gave birth to two cubs at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district on Tuesday, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said. With these births, KNP is now home to 26 cheetahs, including 14 cubs. In a post on X, Yadav said, "Two cheetah cubs enter Madhya Pradesh's Jungle Book. I am happy to share that the number of cheetahs is continuously increasing in the state. Today, female cheetah Veera has given birth to two cubs." He congratulated the officers, doctors and field staff engaged in the cheetah project and said as a result of their tireless work, Madhya Pradesh is also known as the "land of cheetahs". The chief minister said with the increase in the cheetah population in the state, tourism in the state is getting a boost and opening new doors of employment. "We are always ready for conservation, promotion and restoration of all wildlife along with cheetahs," he said. On September 17, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight Namibian cheetahs five

20 cheetahs from Kenya to be quarantined at MP's sanctuary before release

Under the supervision of scientists from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) here, 20 cheetahs from Kenya will undergo a 15-day quarantine at Madhya Pradesh's Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary before their release into the wild, officials said on Wednesday. The cheetahs are scheduled to arrive in India between February 25 and September 25 as a part of efforts to bloster the population of the species, declared extinct in the country in 1952. A team of wildlife scientists, including IVRI senior scientist and in-charge of its Wildlife Department, Dr. Abhijeet, will inspect the quarantine facility. The cheetahs will be housed in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district before being released into the wild. "Cheetahs are being brought to India again and before being released at the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, they will be quarantined. A team of veterinary scientists has been formed to inspect the quarantine center, evaluate the facilities, and

Centre approves oil and gas exploration in Assam Wildlife Sanctuary area

The Centre's wildlife panel has approved a proposal to carry out oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam's Jorhat district. The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, approved the proposal by Vedanta Group's Cairn Oil & Gas during its meeting on December 21, according to the minutes of the meeting. Assam's principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden had recommended clearance for the project in August last year, citing "national interest". The Forest Advisory Committee of the Union Environment Ministry had also granted in-principle approval during its meeting on August 27 last year. According to the minutes of the NBWL meeting, a team comprising officials from the Union Environment Ministry, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and the Assam Forest Department inspected the project site, located about 13 km ..

Five cubs born under Vantara's cheetah conservation program in Jamnagar

As per Vantara's objectives, these cubs will soon be rewilded to help restore India's biodiversity

Rs 38 crore disbursed for development of wildlife habitats in FY24

Andhra Pradesh is also the only coastal state that has not received any funds under the scheme over the past five years

MP: Subharanjan Sen appointed as new PCCF wildlife after elephant deaths

Weeks after the death of 10 elephants in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR), the Madhya Pradesh government has appointed Subharanjan Sen as the principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife), an official said on Friday. Sen replaces V K N Ambade, who took charge as PCCF (wildlife) just three months ago. Ambade will serve as the managing director of the MP State Forest Development Corporation (MPSFDC), the official said. According to sources in the forest department, the state government was not happy with Ambade after the death of 10 jumbos due to consumption of some toxic substance at BTR in Umaria district in the last week of October. Speaking to PTI, Sen, who was PCCF (budget and finance), said he is expected to take charge of his new assignment on Friday. As per a government order issued on Thursday, Ambade has been shifted to MPSFDC as MD. In the first week of November, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav suspended two senior officials of the BTR for lapses after a high-level probe

New Zealand may charge visitors to tourist sites; govt seeks feedback

The government is seeking feedback on a range of proposals to modernise how it manages these areas, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said Friday in Wellington

Fishing ban along Odisha coast begins for Olive Ridley turtle protection

The Odisha government on Friday enforced a seven-month-long prohibition on sea fishing activity within 20 km of the coast at the river mouths of Dhamara, Devi and Rusikulya as part of the annual Olive Ridley turtle conservation programme, officials said. The fishing ban would remain effective from November 1May 31 to ensure the safety of marine animals during their breeding and mating season, they said. The ban has been clamped in accordance with Sections 2, 7 and 4 of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982 and provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, they said. The fishing ban imposed along a specified coast of the sea comprising sea turtle congregation area and their buffer zones at the river mouths of Dhamara, Devi and Rusikulya. The prohibition will be strictly implemented as it is done every year as the turtles perish in larger numbers either by getting entangled in fishing nets or hit by fishing trawlers' propellers. It will be a multi-layered patroll

NGT castigates UP officials for mining permissions in turtle sanctuary

The National Green Tribunal has castigated three district magistrates of Uttar Pradesh and the member secretary of the state's pollution control board for granting permission "in a mechanical manner" for mining works in the state's turtle wildlife sanctuary. Issuance of clearances and grant of permission for such activities in the prohibited areas was not only a flagrant violation of environmental laws but also "non-application of mind and exercise of illegal power" by the authorities concerned, the NGT said. A bench of NGT judicial member Justice Sudhir Agarwal and expert member Afroz Ahmad was hearing two connected matters regarding illegal sand mining in the 30-km sanctuary on the banks of river Ganga spread across the districts of Pyayagraj, Mirzapur and Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadhoi). Noting the evidence before it, including the reports of two joint committees formed earlier, the tribunal in its order dated October 24 said that mining leases were in the "prohibited area" both ...