Zoo's Print Magazine August 2011

Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organisation Vol. XXVI No. 8, August 2011

ISSN 0971-6378 (Print); 0973-2543 (Online)

Students and citizens of Jammu are participating in Green Rally during World Environment Day

Date of Publication: 21 August 2011

Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organisation Vol. XXVI No. 8, August 2011

ISSN 0971-6378 (Print); 0973-2543 (Online)

Contents Feature articles Who let these cats out? Jay Mazoomdaar, Pp. 1-4.

Ecotourism without conflict in wildlife conservation, Lala A. K. Singh, Pp. 5-8 An Eco Friendly Project, Mysore Zoo, P. 8.

Technical articles High altitude wetlands of Western Arunachal Pradesh: new breeding ground for Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) Kripaljyoti Mazumdar, Aishwarya Maheswari, P.K. Dutta and Pronob Jyoti Borah, Pp. 9-10.

Preliminary investigation on the parasites of mammals at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, Sunita Pradhan, Deepak Sharma, Bharkha Subba, Vikash Chettri, Pp. 11-13.

Villagers set a forest dept. vehicle on fire after a leopard attacked and killed a youth near Lakkavalli village of Chikmagalur district in Karnataka on Wed, July 6

Moniliasis in an Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) - A case study, Bhoyar R, I. Karuna, M.C. Anilkumar, G. Filia and P.K. Patil, P. 14.

Notes on the reproduction of Barn Owl Tyto alba in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India, R. Santhanakrishnan, A. Mohamed Samsoor Ali & U. Anbarasan, Pp. 15-17.

Status of five species of predators in Thar Desert, Jodhpur District, Rajasthan (India), L.S. Rajpurohit, Goutam Sharma, Prateek Vijay and Chena Ram, Pp. 18-20.

Mucor spp. infection in captive Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) in National Elephant Conservation Centre, Azlan Che’ Amat, Mohd Firdaus Ariff Abdul Razak and Siti Khairani Bejo, P. 21.

Education Reports World Environment Day Education Reports, Pp. 22-26 Van Mahotsav at Kanpur Zoological Park, K. Praveen Rao, IFS, P. 27.

Debate competition as a Tool for Zoo Education at Dhaka Zoo: For the first time, R. MD. Shakif-Ul-Azam, P. 28.

Honourable Minister Shri Jairam Ramesh interacting with students at a Special Nature Camp organised by the NMNH, New Delhi

Who let these cats out?

Jay Mazoomdaar Two villagers were killed recently by hand-raised leopards released in the wild by a Mysore royal and an NGO. This is a so-called ‘rehabilitation experiment’ gone horribly wrong.

At noontime in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, five Jenu Kuruba tribals walked silently within earshot of one another’s, scanning the branches overhead for beehives. Traditional honey-gatherers, these tribals collect wildflower honey in the early monsoon.

Over generations, Kurubas have learnt that the forest is a safe place, as long as one stays away from rogue elephants and temperamental bears.

Rama (left) was killed by a leopard while collecting honey. Photo:Jay Mazoomdaar

On 1 June, however, these five men from Lakkipura, a Kuruba village at the edge of the tiger reserve, were in for a cruel shock. It was Rama Kuruba who spotted the leopard. He stood still, waiting for the cat to walk away.

Instead, it pounced and knocked him down. Kampa Kuruba was the first to rush to Rama’s rescue. The leopard let go of Rama, who by then had given up the struggle, and turned on Kampa.

As a desperate Kampa held the cat at arm’s length by the radio-collar around its neck, it started pawing his face and the head. By then, the other Kurubas were creating a ruckus and hitting the leopard with sticks. But the cat would not let go. Eventually, a powerful blow on the spine made it back away. By then, Rama had stopped breathing.

The leopard was still alive, growling in pain at a distance. Unnerved, the Kurubas scampered, carrying a profusely bleeding Kampa, who would spend the next 10 days in hospital.

Disfigured and shaken, Kampa at his Kerala hideout. Forget compensation, the young Kuruba is staying away from his family, fearing arrest. Photo: Jay Mazoomdaar

In Lakkipura, the initial response was of disbelief. Kurubas never considered leopards a threat because the spotted cats avoided them and never attacked except in self-defense. Now, they were faced with a leopard that seemed to have targeted human beings to kill and did not back away even from a group of men, challenging a thumb rule of survival in the wild. They did not know that the leopard that tore open Rama’s throat and nearly killed Kampa was not a wild cat.

Deputy Conservator of forests (DCF) K.T. Hanumanthappa has brought down the human-elephant conflict in Bandipur by 70 percent in just two years, by digging up trenches and laying service roads for maintenance of electric fences. “We are here for conservation work,” he says. “But managing conflict used to take up all our time. Now that headache is gone.”

Rama's aunt Basama and Kampa's father Kullaiah at Lakkipura village. One has lost her only support. The other fears for his son's safety. Pic: Jay Mazoomdaar

Mazoomdaar is an independent journalist, jaymazoomdaar@gmail.com

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He got a fresh headache on 5 June 2010, in a letter from his top boss, Karnataka’s Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) B. K. Singh, permitting him “to rehabilitate the leopard cubs in Ojimunti of Bandipur National Park with the assistance of Smt Vishalakshi Devi, Bangalore”.

In fact, it was Vishalakshi Devi who sought permission on 8 May 2010 for “rehabilitation of leopard cubs”. The CWLW could not have legally authorised a person without any scientific credential to carry out such an exercise. Instead, he granted the DCF a permission he never sought, possibly because he could not refuse a princess.

Five cubs were brought up by former Bhadra DFO SS Lingaraja and NGO Vanamitra in a squalid, stuffy garage at Bhadrawati

Maharajkumari Vishalakshi Devi is the scion of the Mysore royal family. Her father, the late maharaja Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, was the first chairman of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). Vishalakshi and her husband Gajendra Singh own a resortcum-residence in Bandipur and are avid “animal-lovers”.

In her letter to CWLW Singh, Vishalakshi claimed that she had “successfully rehabilitated a leopard in Bandipur National Park”. That story goes back 13 years when she and her husband received two “abandoned leopard cubs” from the forest staff and brought them up at their Bandipur property. Bully and Baby were released in the forest when they were about two years old. While the male, Bully, was gored to death by a sambar stag within days of the release, Baby survived and produced a few litters. No scientific monitoring was conducted to substantiate this claim.

Fast forward to 2009 when 12 so-called abandoned cubs were at different forest department facilities. Two oneyear-old cubs, later named Shadow and Light, were sent to Vishalakshi’s Bandipur resort in April 2010 from the care of Vasudeva Murthy, range officer of Mettikuppe in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. Incidentally, this transfer of cubs from one wildlife division to another also required the CWLW’s approval. Soon after, Vishalakshi got another one-year-old cub, later named Colour, from Bandipur Range Officer A.A. Khan who had been raising it in a small cage.

Vishalakshi Devi and Gajendra Singh with their pet leopards.

Photo courtesy: Bangalore Mirror

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This February, eight months after the DCF was “granted permission” to entertain the princess’ request, the three leopards were shifted to an electric-fenced enclosure in Bandipur’s Gopal Swami Betta range. In March, the power supply to the fences was switched off but the leopards continued

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to hang around the spot where the royals visited them daily with food.

Wary forest staff stopped patrolling the area on foot. But keen to avoid any scrutiny, neither the royals nor the forest department cautioned the villagers living on the reserve boundary. Sometime in April, say field sources, Vishalakshi decided to cut down on the hand feed, hoping the cats would finally start hunting. On 1 June, the experiment backfired.

Two deaths were not enough for the royals or the forest department to come clean. The Kurubas were warned that they would face charges of trespassing and killing a leopard if they claimed compensation. The gullible tribals did not realise that booking them would have also revealed Bandipur’s dirty secret. Soon enough, the dead leopard was declared the victim of a tiger attack and the administration pretended that no leopard ever touched Rama and Kampa.

But the medical records at the Gundlupet government hospital do not lie. Chief Medical Officer Dr R Srinivas confirms from his files that Kampa (inpatient number 1360) was admitted during 1-10 June with 12 injuries on his neck and face “sustained due to attack by a panther”. After 22-year old Kampa was discharged and had agreed to talk, he was inconsolable. “My father Kullaiah was a forest guard at Bandipur and yet the forest department is treating me like this,” he says. “The leopard would have killed me had I not held it by its collar. And now I am on the run.”

Sub-inspector at the Gundlupet Police Station, Laxmikanth Talawar, however, says the case is closed. “A leopard killed a man, an unnatural death,” he says. “The leopard was also killed and our officers found the two bodies close to each other. No case of wildlife crime has been lodged.”

In Lakkipura, Rama’s single-room house remains bolted. Rama was long estranged from his wife and lived alone. Basama, his aunt and neighbour, laments that her nephew took care of her and now she has no one to depend on.

While DCF Hanumanthappa refuses to go on record, Vishalakshi claims that one “can’t fault the (rehabilitation) programme because the leopard did not go out of the forest to attack anyone”. In any case, she says, it was the forest department’s responsibility to warn the people. At Lakkipura, Karia Kuruba, who was with Rama and Kampa when they were attacked, says

Villagers set a forest dept. vehicle on fire after a leopard attacked and killed a youth near Lakkavalli village of Chikmagalur district in Karnataka on Wed, July 6

(From left) Karia, who was with Rama and Kampa when they were attacked by the released leopard, and Nagraj, who works with the forest department, recall the horrors. Masthi, Rama's cousin, is still in shock. Pic: Jay Mazoomdaar

her sister-in-law works for the royals and the princess had blasted her, saying the Kurubas killed her cat. On record, Vishalakshi maintains a tiger killed the leopard.

In his Bengaluru office, CWLW Singh says he has no sympathy for the Kurubas: “No question of compensation. What humanitarian ground? They light so many forest fires.” He says tribals have no right to harvest forest honey under the Forest Rights Act (2006) inside a tiger reserve. Asked if the administration was within its rights to permit such reckless experiments, putting lives of “trespassers” at risk, Singh fumbles.

Within two weeks of the Bandipur disaster, he had allowed release of another three captive leopards in Bhadra Tiger Reserve.

S.S. Lingaraja, former divisional forest officer (DFO) of Bhadra Tiger Reserve, had five “abandoned” leopard cubs in his custody at Bhadravati in 2009. He

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found an ally in Bengaluru-based NGO Vanamitra that “strongly believes that cubs lifted from nature can be released back into the wild”. Together, they brought up the cubs — Bheema, Shiva, Rama, Lakshmana and Parvathi — in a squalid, small garage. As DFO Lingaraja’s tenure ended in Bhadra, three cats were released in the third week of June. As in Bandipur, no wildlife biologist was engaged for a risk assessment of the Bhadra experiment.

Soon after their release, the leopards spread panic in the Tarikere taluk.

Then, on 6 July, a young man paid with his life.

Vishwanath, a 20-year-old student at Tarikere Government College, was returning to his village near Upparabiranahalli. It was evening and he was attacked on the road that skirted the boundary of the tiger reserve. The leopard dragged Vishwanath’s body some 20 yards inside the forest and pounced on Somanath when he went looking for

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his brother. It also injured another man, Subrahmanya. This time, the forest department could not blame the villagers for trespassing inside the reserve. As an angry mob torched a forest vehicle, the victim’s families were assured of compensation, and two trap cages set up. On 8 July, one of the released leopards attacked the forest staff while they were shifting a cage. They opened fire, killing the cat.

Meanwhile in Bandipur, more than a month after the Kuruba encounter, the princess’ other two leopards are still in the wild. Worse, one cat moved to the adjoining forests of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. As of 7 July, despite two young men dead for no reason, the Karnataka forest department did not deem it necessary to warn their Tamil Nadu counterpart to alert their guards who patrol on foot.

On 8 July, asked who would be responsible if the leopard wreaked havoc on the other side of the state boundary, CWLW Singh said he would “immediately get in touch with the department in Tamil Nadu”.

Leopards leave their cubs at safe places and go hunting. When villagers chance upon these unattended cubs, they mistake them as abandoned and hand them over to the forest department. If not returned soon enough, the cubs are not accepted back by the mother. DCF Hanumanthappa says that villagers must be made aware of the ways of cats to prevent the “rescue” of so many cubs that become liabilities for a lifetime.

Meanwhile, the key players have started passing the buck. Vishalakshi claims the forest department wanted her to release the cubs and she never sought any permission herself. While she did not furnish “the proof” she claimed she had, TEHELKA has a copy of her letter to Singh. In Bhadra, K.N. Suresh Kumar, founder trustee of Vanamitra, claimed his NGO followed “expert advice”. He did not name any.

Vishalakshi Devi accepted three one-year-old leopard cubs and looked after them in this enclosure at her Bandipur property till they were released this February.

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Singh admits to learning on the job. “I was misled by too many opinions,” he concedes. “Now I realise that rehabilitation of hand-raised leopards is risky.” But will he own up responsibility and order a ban on such experiments? “I am telling you we will never do it again. I will write an essay on this in our departmental journal soon.” With four potential killers still out in the forests, and more lined up for release, it will require more than Singh’s musings to put a permanent end to the deadly games the rich and powerful play.

First published in Tehelka.

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Ecotourism without Conflict in Wildlife Conservation Dr. Lala A. K. Singh ‘Tourism’, with a green tag and termed ‘ecotourism’ has received recognition as one of the managerial approaches that can provide alternate livelihood to people ‘affected’ due to wildlife conservation. Amplified with limited staff resources, proliferation of the concept within a protected area is detrimental, as it will dilute many of the standards required and set towards serious and committed approach for wildlife protection, conservation and research.

Historically, the National Board for Wildlife or the first National Wildlife Action Plan didn’t suggest promotion of tourism in areas meant for wildlife conservation. In this paper a graded approach in area selection is suggested for biodiversity- or wildlife-oriented tourism in the order of priority which reads, (1) areas showing fruits of biodiversity under participatory forest management; (2) wildlife corridors or habitat-linkages; (3) periphery of wildlife sanctuaries; and (4) wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves.

3. Ecotourism: Concept and Objectives Ecotourism is “sustainable, nature tourism” involving the indigenous stake- holders, while forging partnerships with the existing tourism industry.

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) defines ecotourism as “tourism that involves traveling to relatively undisturbed natural areas with the specified object for studying, admiring and enjoying the scenery and its wild plants and animals, as well as any existing cultural aspects (both of the past or the present) found in these areas”.

‘Wildlife tourism’ may fall into one of the types of ‘ecotourism’ but it constitutes the most fragile and sensitive type of nature tourism. Hence extreme care and restraint is necessary while promoting ecotourism in areas otherwise created and managed for wildlife conservation.

It is based on inferences drawn from review of the historical processes, studies on tourism profile, personal experiences, and lessons learnt while developing field strategies for managing wildlife and tourism during 1975 through 2010, covering work done in Similipal Tiger Reserve, Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and National Chambal Sanctuary.

Until the year 2002, when the new National Wildlife Action Plan was released, the concept of ‘tourism’ was not institutionalized in the wildlife sector as it is today. It is therefore, necessary to review the manner in which ecotourism has entered the sector of wildlife management in order to justify the order of choice of area for implementation of tourism related programmes to serve people better without conflict with conservation objectives.

1. Introduction Wildlife management is a science that is constantly evolving on the basis of experience and lessons learnt. It concerns at least three other components which change in themselves.

These are the ecological factors influencing the habitat of wildlife species, the anthropogenic elements and the changing or adapting behavioural biology of wildlife species.

4. Lessons from History of Wildlife Conservation The target areas for ecotourism relating to wildlife are the Sanctuaries and National Parks. These legally recognized protected areas have ‘managed’ tourism within limits, but without any policy approval.

Within the ambit of this management science, for achieving success in conservation, there is no scope for allowing promotion of any kind of ‘destructive’ human use in wildlifeareas that may lead to behavioural adaptations by species and lose original traits within threatened ‘wilderness values’ of the habitat. Outside the positive results of conservation, other outputs or feasible services are subsidiary byproducts.

In this context the present paper is an explanatory version of the summarized concept presented in Singh (2011). It suggests one aspect namely, the graded approach in area selection for biodiversity- or wildlife-oriented tourism.

The inferences and recommendations made are based on review of the historical processes in management approach, the studies on tourism profile, personal experiences, and lessons learnt while developing field strategies for managing tourism. It is based on work primarily done in Similipal Tiger Reserve during 1987-2003, and in Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary (now a Tiger Reserve) during 1975-1981, and in National Chambal Sanctuary during 1983-1985.

2. Suggested Order of Focus Area Contrary to the present order of the things, it is suggested that for achieving compatible and sustainable ecotourism, the areas where wildlife-oriented ecotourism should be developed and implemented should be in the following order of priority: (1) areas showing fruits of biodiversity under participatory forest management; (2) wildlife corridors or habitatlinkages; (3) periphery of wildlife sanctuaries; and (4) wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves.

Even though the Tiger Reserves had no legal status until 2006, Project Tiger tried to maintain authority for conduct and control of tourism in Tiger Reserve through respective Field Directors. These were sorts of ‘managerial arrangements’ and not policies.

4.1. Advisory body for wildlife conservation didn’t promote ‘tourism’ In the year 1952 the ‘Central Board for Wildlife’ was constituted with 25 members. The body was renamed as Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL) later that year, and now it is the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). It is the main statutory body for advising the Union Government in matters of wildlife policy in the country. In confirmation to their recommendations, the state governments have parallel State Board for Wildlife (SBWL).

From the beginning, one of the functions of the Board was “to promote public interest in wildlife and the need for its preservation in harmony with the natural and human environment”. Accordingly, the Board have recommended celebration of Indian Wildlife Week during which lectures, publicity through media, film shows, conducted tours, essay competitions in schools and colleges are organized. Some of the other activities for public education are ‘nature clubs’ in educational institutions, inclusion of the subject of environmental conservation in syllabus adopted by NCERT and schools and colleges. The UGC initiated actions for setting up of faculties on wildlife education in selected universities (Saharia, 1982:64-68). The duties of the National Board have since been identified under Section 5C

Senior Research Officer- Wildlife (Retired) laksinghindia@gmail.com

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of the Wildlife Act. Nowhere in these is‘Tourism’ an explicit subject on which the Board was expected to advise.

4.2. Protected Area network didn’t have ‘tourism’ mandate Although the national board performed the function of advising the government in policy matters relating to wildlife conservation very early after its constitution in 1952, the field level serious phase of actions began after the Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in 1972. Steps were initiated to establish a network of carefully identified ‘protected areas’ (PA) called sanctuaries and national parks for protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environment. The PAs are viewed as the best guarantee for survival of wildlife free from destructive anthropogenic use or pressure of any kind, whatsoever.

The ‘Tiger Reserves’, initially nine in numbers were declared in connection with the launching of ‘Project Tiger’ in the year 1973. At that time the areas covered within Tiger Reserves had the legal status of either Reserve Forests, or were sanctuaries contemplated and under process according to the Act. ‘Tiger Reserves’ got separate legal status of ‘Protected Area’ after the Wildlife (Protection) Act was amended in the year 2006. Prior to the launch of project tiger some of the Tiger Reserves were already in the popular tourist circuits (for example, Sahai, 1979). Declaration of Tiger Reserves brought with it a set of managerial actions that would favour tiger conservation.

4.3. Tiger doesn’t welcome onlookers Action plans for conservation of tiger keeps ‘tiger’ on priority, not people or visitors. The tiger in its state of wilderness doesn’t like to give appearances before human beings. It avoids human beings unless conditioned over a long period of time. The tiger’s biology is such that no one ever knows when a tiger is born or when it dies. Therefore, although sighting a wild tiger generates its own thrill, with such a secretive animal, a visit to a Tiger Reserve in its state of wilderness cannot form a part of the itinerary for a normal merry-making visitor. Therefore, offering of a promise for ‘sighting a wild Tiger in its wilderness state’ is not an appropriate agenda under ‘popular ecotourism’. It is possible when our types of visitors change in their numbers and expectations from a wildlife sanctuary. This holds true for other large carnivores and herbivores, as well.

Although African examples have long been cited to elucidate earning of revenue for the country from ‘wildlife tourism’, in the Indian context wildlife students have urged to show restraint and caution while promoting tourism in Tiger Reserves (Deb Roy, 1979; Panwar, 1979; Sahai, 1979), and therefore, wildlife sanctuaries in general.

4.4. People have participated in wildlife projects Involving the people in wildlife conservation projects is a very old practice. Animal tracking, machan-construction, boating, capture and supply of live fish for crocodile hatchlings, assistance in ethno-botanical explorations etc. are some of the activities involving traditional skill which is available with local people and these have been used in wildlife projects.

The national projects of Project Tiger and Crocodile Conservation were launched in 1973 and 1974, respectively.

Here, conservation of the species and their habitat formed the major priorities. In both these projects, and later in Project Elephant, local people participated in census, management and protection (Singh, 1987, 1993a,b).

Crocodile projects were a few steps ahead in involving the people. Egg-eating tribal people were involved to search crocodile nests, maintain hatcheries for egg incubation, and

help in husbandry of crocodiles until young crocodiles were restocked in natural waters. The local fishermen were inducted as crocodile guards to observe crocodiles in nature, maintain records and patrol crocodile habitats (Singh, 1987).

Visitors who came to have firsthand experience of the success of conservation pursuits were limited in numbers in those days. They were curious about the projects, serious in their intentions and made bits of contributions towards economic development of local people by way of local assistance or purchases (Singh, 1977). It was correctly assessed that inflow of visitors and interest of people towards wildlife projects were expected to rise and managers were cautioned to keep anthropogenic activities in sanctuaries within limits.

During the last 10-15years, ‘wildlife conservation’ actions are initiating or projecting objectives for offering alternate livelihood and benefiting the people living in and around protected areas. In this direction, ecotourism is one of the activities. That is laudable as long as the wildlife department doesn’t get over burdened with work beyond its primary objective of wildlife protection, conservation and research.

Exaggerated anthropogenic bent to wildlife management handled by limited staff-resource is diluting or losing the passion and commitment to strive for survival of wildlife and its habitat.

Wildlife management is made to pass through stages of unintentional ‘compromises’. It is argued that people should recognize that the wildlife department is performing village welfare activities so that people are dissuaded from any kind of destruction of forest and wildlife. In such case, a separate set of sociologists or rural managers should be doing these jobs, not the persons who have remained in the wildlife organisation sometimes after much persuasion. Over time, only a few staff turn out to be hard core wildlife practitioners, and they should not be lost for jobs which others can perform. Village or rural development plans and tourism-management shouldn’t overshadow the mandate of activities of wildlife staff.

The original intention to educate public or ‘visitors’ about wildlife conservation projects’ and elicit public cooperation have gradually got ‘extended’ to accommodate ‘ecotourism’ which is theoretically the greener version of tourism.

4.5 National Wildlife Action Plans: Tourism included for the Plan 2002-16 This trend is well evident from the differences in strategies in two National Wildlife Action Plans. The first Action Plan, structured on the basis of knowledge and experience gained till the year 1983 had ten components namely, (1) establishment of a representative network of protected areas, (2) management of protected areas and habitat restoration, (3) wildlife protection in multiple use areas, (4) rehabilitation of endangered and threatened species, (5) captive breeding programme, (6) wildlife education and interpretation, (7) research and monitoring, (8) domestic legislation and international conventions, (9) developing a national conservation strategy in line with world conservation strategy, and collaboration with voluntary bodies.

None of these components suggested tourism to be managed by wildlife managers.

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The next National Wildlife Action Plan, of 2002, was an improvement over the previous one in many respects but it has given a clear and bold niche to wildlife tourism. The various components of the new Action Plan are as follows.

(1) Strengthening and enhancing the protected area network; (2) effective management of protected areas; (3) conservation of wild and endangered species and their habitats; (4) restoration of degraded habitats outside protected areas; (5) control of poaching, taxidermy and illegal trade in wild animal and plant species; (6) monitoring and research; (7) human resource development and personnel planning; (8) ensuring peoples’ participation in wildlife conservation; (9) conservation awareness and education; (10) wildlife tourism; (11.) domestic legislation and international conventions; (12) enhancing financial allocation for ensuring sustained fund flow to the wildlife sector; and (13) integration of national wildlife action plan with other sectoral programmes.

When tourism is assuming a regular feature of protected area management, various other prescriptions and strategies are developing to regulate tourism through season, route, compatibility, regulations, restrictions, monitoring, improved maintenance of rest houses, etc., which have the additional advantage towards protection of wildlife in protected areas. This may be true, but ‘tourism’, in manner would grow and jeopardize the objectives of a protected area.

4.6. Eco-tourism should not be governed byad hoc administrative convenience In an attempt to comply to the over all policy of the Government, or mandates fixed in this direction, or for facilitating the functioning of another department, the areas where wildlife-based ecotourism have been aimed till now include only the Sanctuaries (Mohanty et al, 2004; Patnaik, et al, 2009). That appears to be primarily because of convenience in compliance. A base of infrastructure and a set of ‘disciplined’ staff are already available in sanctuaries.

These staff may appear willing to implement the policies, but this affects their original mandates relating to wildlife conservation. The willingness or ad hoc arrangements for sharing of resource of staff or infrastructure for ‘ecotourism’ is neither in the interest of wildlife conservation nor in the long term sustainability of ecotourism objectives. The required number of staffs for wildlife work have to be positioned first, and then a separate set of staff have to be deployed and suitably trained for specific ecotourism activities.

Ecotourism or Nature tourism is distinguished from mass tourism by requiring lesser infrastructure development and a lower impact on the environment. But in practice, when fund is available from different sources infrastructure development seem to get preference. Such developmental pursuits are often directed at pitching series of tents on otherwise serene sand banks or “cost effective” diesel-run power boats in a crocodile sanctuary, gorgeous camping places, etc.

Ecotourism should respect the cultural values of local people. It is disappointing to find that children of villages around Barheipani waterfall in Similipal who normally kept away from visitors, or should have been in a school, seem to be shedding their ‘fear’ or inhibitions and running behind jeeps or gyrating around a camping site awaiting the camp to pack off. They are running after visitors to sell nuts

collected from the forest. These are, sadly, indicators of eroding cultural values because of proliferating ecotourism close to villages inside a sanctuary. Now the management of Similipal have helped parents to admit and maintain children in schools having hostel facilities. I have often said that educating the children of Similipal to higher level would help them build their personality and career in modern terms, and also in the long run the sanctuary would be populated by a fewer human being and left for better wildlife conservation.

This sounds to be a managerial manoeuvre. But three decades back no one ever thought that the Field Director of a Tiger Reserve who should be a ‘wildlife scientist’ would get engaged in programmes which are normally the domains of departments concerning rural development, education, or human resource development.

The administrative convenience of thrusting all ideas into areas identified and already developed since 1970s for wildlife conservation and management should be avoided.

Here, the term ‘wildlife conservation’ is used for the group of activities meaning ‘wildlife, biodiversity or nature conservation’.

4.7. Ecotourism should steer away from PAs Ecotourism is necessary for wildlife areas as it is considered to be one of the media to highlight the tangible and intangible benefits of wildlife conservation. Of late, it is also increasingly being projected as a means to offer the scope for alternate livelihood for local people. It is one of the acceptable sources of earning some revenue for the wildlife organization which is otherwise termed as an expenditure department that (only) spends funds for conservation.

However, ecotourism in areas known for wildlife and biodiversity conservation is yet to create a niche that is acceptable without dispute or conflict with the conservation objectives.

Tourism in sanctuaries are governed by ‘tourism season’ and tourism route’. Therefore, with ‘round-the-year-tourism’ in mind, attention has to shift away from the sanctuary, to its periphery, to its linkage-corridors, or to the adjoining villages where people are excelling in participatory forest management. Adequate survey and assessment is necessary to identify locations, judge the potentialities, develop meticulous plans and implement the projects for screening serious ‘eco-tourists’ and reduce burden on sanctuaries. People willing to devote time and go for wildlife-oriented ecotourism can proceed from periphery to the sanctuary. Places used for camping should be away from places used by ‘wildlife’. The wilderness or ‘wild’ (natural) responses should not be robbed away from wildlife on the road to promoting tourism as ‘ecotourism’.

At strategic locations outside protected areas it is necessary to develop infrastructure and aspects of interest for tourists.

This would take off pressure from the PA and also help people living in the periphery of PA. National strategies and guidelines for management of ecotourism in sanctuaries offer broad principles, objectives and streamlined administrative mechanisms. On another front, where available, micro-level site-specific studies and case histories, topped up with experience and field knowledge of a few specific individuals who have served long years in protected areas, enhance the quality and effectiveness of management. In such cases, there is value addition in more than one manner aiming at sustainability of ecotourism as well as efforts for biodiversity conservation.

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Any guideline should ask to clearly steer away the pressure of ecotourism from sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves to other areas. From the foregoing discussion added to my own inference from studies and experiences I suggest that the order of implementation of ecotourism programmes should be as follows. Programmes should be such that results of biodiversity or wildlife conservation are demonstrated as well as the local people are involved round-the-year.

(1) Areas showing fruits of biodiversity under Participatory Forest Management (2) Wildlife Corridors or Habitat-linkages (3) Periphery of wildlife sanctuaries (4) Wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves 4.8. Tourism research and monitoring for guiding ongoing process and future planning Tourism in wildlife areas needs to be constantly backed by research and monitoring. With respect to Similipal Tiger Reserve, Orissa, lessons learnt in the past from elephant sighting trend have strengthened the cause for clamping ‘closed season’ and a definite ‘tourism route’ in the TR (Singh, 1988, 1991, 1995). A four year study (Prusty and Singh, 1997; Srivastava and Singh, 1998) conducted in the same reserve on profile of tourists and the vehicles they used offered several managerial tools aimed at making tourism in the Tiger Reserve eco-friendly and orient the drivers of hired vehicles to make the trips safe, interesting and memorable. It also highlighted the benefits due to tourism transferred to the people and the consumer market existing at the entry points markets. Analyses were also made of occupancy rates of different facilities for night camping. All similar studies should be carried out for all areas where ecotourism is a mandate for management.

References Deb Roy, S. (1979): Socio-economic aspects of preservation of tigers. 305-309pp. In: International Symposium on Tiger. India.

February 22-24, 1979. Papers, Proceedings and Resolutions. Project Tiger, Government of India, New Delhi.ix+417+4pages.

Mohanty, S.C.; Kar, C.S.; Kar, S.K. and Singh, L.A.K. (2004): Ecotourism in Protected Areas of Orissa– 2004. Wildlife Organisation, Forest Department, Govt. of Orissa, Bhubaneswar.

Panwar, H. S. (1979): Tiger conservation and communities socioeconomic equations. 249-251pp. In: International Symposium on Tiger. India. February 22-24, 1979. Papers,

Proceedings and Resolutions. Project Tiger, Government of India, New Delhi.ix+417+4pages.

Patnaik, B.K.; Kar, S.K.; Kar, C.S. and Singh, L.A.K. (2009): Ecotourism in sanctuaries of Orissa, Wildlife Headquarters, Forest Department, Govt. of Orissa, Bhubaneswar. October 2009.

Prusty, B. C. and Singh, L. A. K. (1996): Nature camp in Similipal Tiger Reserve. Zoos' Print, XI(11), November, 1996: 36-37.

Prusty, B. C. and Singh, L. A. K. (1997): Tourism pattern in Similipal Tiger Reserve: 169-180p. In: Similipal: Tripathy, P.C. and Patro, S. N. (Ed.): Similipal: A natural Habitata of Unique Biodiversity. Orissa Environmental Society, Bhubaneswar.

Sahai, R. C. (1979): Tourism in Palamau Tiger Reserve.

266-273pp. In: International Symposium on Tiger. India. February 22-24, 1979. Papers, Proceedings and Resolutions. Project Tiger, Government of India, New Delhi.ix+417+4pages.

Saharia, V. B. (1982): Wildlife in India. Natraj Publishers, Dehradun, India Singh, L. A. K. (1977): Conservation of nature and future of mankind (man and Crocodile). Tiger Paper, F.A.O., Thailand, IV (2) : 16-17. Also in Bull., P.G.Seminar in Zool., Utkal Univ., Bhubaneswar, 6(1) : 68-72.

Singh, L. A. K.(1987) : Public involvement in the Indian Crocodile Conservation Programmes. In : Wildlife Management : Crocodiles and Alligators. (Ed. C. Webb, s. Manolis and P. Whitehead). Surrey Seaty and Sons Pty Ltd., Australia. 233-237.

Singh, L. A. K. (1988) : Sighting Trend of Elephants. Technical Report_1, ORI/N/Sim, Nov 1966. Similipal Tiger Reserve, Orissa. 86 pp, 11 fig., 28 tables.

Singh, L. A. K. (1991): Wildlife Tourism--relevance of seasons and zones. Paper presented at symposium on Forest-based Tourism.

World Forestry Day, March 21, BBSR. Singh, L. A. K. (1993a): People's participation in project Tiger.

Abstract In: "People's participation in Protected Area Management".

Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society of Orissa, Bhubaneswar.

June 5, 1993. Page:7.

Singh, L. A. K. (1993b): People's participation in project elephant.

Abstract In: "People's participation in Protected Area Management".

Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society of Orissa, Bhubaneswar.

June 5, 1993. Page:9.

Singh, L. A. K. (1995) : Sighting Trend of Elephants in Similipal Tiger Reserve, Orissa. p424-429. In: Daniel J. C. and H. S. Datye (Ed.) (1995): A week with elephants. Proceedings of the International Seminar on the Conservation of Asian Elephant, June 1993. B.N.H.S. and Oxford University Press, Bombay etc.

Singh, Lala A. K. (2011): Ecotourism without conflict in wildlife conservation. Abstract in UGC Sponsored National Seminar on “Challenges for Wildlife Conservation: Conflict to coexistence”, Nayagarh. 19-20 February, 2011.

Srivastava, S. S. and Singh, L. A. K. (1998): Profile of Tourists in Similipal. Zoos' Print XIII(4), Apr. 1998: 12-15, 12 tabs.

An Eco Friendly Project, Mysore Zoo http://www.starofmysore.com/main.asp?type=news&item=29001 Mysore Zoo a.k.a. Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens is getting an eco-friendly project, with plans to establish a Bio Gas Unit in association with JNNURM's community participation programme. The tripartite agreement in this regard was signed between the Zoo, MCC and NIE-CREST (Center For Renewable Energy & Sustainable Technologies). The Zoo Executive Director K.B. Markandaiah, JNNURM Superintendent Engineer Suresh Babu and CREST Director Shyamsundar signed the agreement.

The estimated cost of the Bio Gas Unit is Rs. 20 lakh, for which Rs. 18 lakh will be provided under the community participation programme, with the Zoo contributing the remaining Rs. 2 lakh. The Unit will utilise about 1.5 tons of animal waste besides a considerable quantity of in-house waste everyday.

Bio Gas generated by the facility will be provide energy for the Zoo's kitchen and canteen and the surplus gas will be used for operating a Diesel Generator. The waste generated from Bio Gas Plant will be used for the manufacture of vermicultured fertiliser, according to Markandaiah and Suresh Babu, the signatories to the agreement.

K.B. Markandeya, Director of Mysore Zoo, presenting a copy of tripartite agreement to establish a biogas plant at the Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens to N. Ramanuja, Chairman, NIE-CREST, while Shankar, Assistant Executive Engineer, JNNRUM; S. Shamsundar, Director, NIE-CREST and Suresh Babu, Superintending Engineer, JNNRUM look on.

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High altitude wetlands of western Arunachal Pradesh: new breeding ground for Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) Kripaljyoti Mazumdar1, Aishwarya Maheswari2, P. K. Dutta1, Pronob Jyoti Borah1 and P. Wange1 The Eastern Himalaya and Assam Plain are recognized as Endemic Bird Areas and distribution of 24 species are restricted to the region globally out of these 21 occurred in the state of Arunachal Pradesh subsisting the state to harbor a large number of restricted range species among north-eastern states of India (Islam & Rahmani, 2004; Gogoi et al. 2010). The richness of the region’s avifauna largely reflects the diversity of habitats associated with a wide altitudinal range (Birand & Pawar, 2004). The state of Arunachal Pradesh (26030’- 29030’N & 91030’97030’E) with a total geographical area of 83,743km2 constitutes a substantial portion of the Eastern Himalayan mega-biodiversity ‘Hotspot’ region. It is known for its topographic and altitudinal diversity, its rich forest and numerous riverine bodies which support an excellent habitat to the avifauna in the state (Sangha & Naoraji, 2007; Mazumdar & Gogoi, 2010). Several new distributional records including description of a new species Liocichla bugunorum from Eagle nest Wildlife Sanctuary further signify it (Athreya, 2006). Even last year occurrence of Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) from the high altitude area was the first record of this species from Sela and Panggang Teng Tso Wetland of Tawang district by WWF-India team (Gogoi et al. 2010).

High Altitude Wetlands of Western Arunchal Landscape Pradesh covering West Kameng and Tawang district for documentation and conservation of high altitude wetlands of the area. Based on the preliminary survey conducted by WWF-India jointly with State Forest Department, Indian Army and local villagers, four wetland complexes have been prioritized for conservation – Bhagajang Wetland Complex, Nagula Wetland Complex, Thembang Bapu CCA Wetland Complex and Pangchen Lumpo Muchat CCA Wetland Complex.

Most of these wetland complexes which are located above 3000m altitude support rich diversity of Rhododendrons and rare medicinal plants in the catchment areas which in turn are providing suitable habitat for rare and threatened high altitude fauna like red panda (Ailurus fulgens), takin (Budorcas taxicolor), Chinese goral (Nemorhaedus griseus), red goral (Naemorhedus baileyi), wild dog (Cuon alpinus), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) etc. These wetlands are also acting as reservoir for the three

Ruddy shelduck with its duckling at Tsomgo Ama wetland (Photo: Kripaljyoti Mazumdar)

A view of the Tsomgo Ama Wetland and nearby habitat, Western Arunachal Pradesh (Photo: Kripaljyoti Mazumdar)

major rivers – Tawangchu, Nyamjangchu and Kameng River, which are important tributaries of mighty Brahmaputra.

Most of these high altitude water bodies are playing significant role in maintaining ecological balance and are productive systems. These wetlands are considered as sacred and there are strict taboos associated with which are mostly followed with strict norms by the local Monpa community. At the same time most of these high altitude wetlands of western Arunachal Pradesh, like many other high altitude wetlands of the country, are also under tremendous anthropogenic pressure.

Increases in human activities are major cause of concern for these high

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Number 8, August 2011

altitude wetlands. Increasing grazing pressure in the catchment areas of the wetlands, over exploitation of forest resources, unregulated dumping of waste, unregulated tourism leading to soil and water pollution, construction works and other developmental activities are some of the major threats being observed in the high altitude wetlands of western Arunachal Pradesh.

1

WWF-India, Western Arunachal Landscape Programme (WAL) Parvati Nagar, Tezpur, Assam; 2WWFIndia, Species Conservation Programme New Delhi; Corresponding author: kripaljyoti@gmail.com

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These wetlands provide a good space for flourishing high altitude rich biodiversity of this part of eastern Himalaya. But nothing has been so far properly documented regarding the importance of these habitats as breeding sites for the Anatidae family.

From India, although many of such high altitude wetlands of Ladakh and Sikkim regions are documented and studied for providing breeding ground for waterfowl (Chandan et al. 2008; BirdLife International, 2011; GanguliLachungpa et al. 2011), no detail investigation in this part of the country has been carried out so far. Increasing grazing pressure in the catchment areas of the wetlands, over exploitation of forest resources, unregulated dumping of waste, unregulated tourism leading to soil and water pollution, construction works and other developmental activities are some of the major threats being observed in the High Altitude Wetlands of Western Arunachal Pradesh.

These wetlands provide a good space for flourishing high altitude rich biodiversity of this part of eastern Himalaya. But nothing has been so far well documented these areas as breeding sites for the Anatidae family, although many of such high altitude wetlands of Ladakh regions is well known to provide breeding ground for waterfowl, while nearby Bhutan also a key breeding areas for high altitude water birds.

The Sighting and Conservation Issues The presence of Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) from Arunachal Pradesh is known so far but there was no information on the breeding ecology of this species from the high altitude wetlands of western Arunachal Pradesh. So, far in India eastern Ladakh and Sikkim is the only two known high altitude breeding site of this species in conjunction with selected sites in Nepal and Bhutan (BirdLife International, 2011). During the recent field trip to western

Arunachal Pradesh, WWF-India team has done the first photographic and videographic documentation of a breeding pair of Ruddy shell duck along with 7 ducklings on 29th June 2011 from Tsomgo Ama wetland situated at an altitude of 4535 m altitude covering an area of 0.27 sq. km. within Thembang Bapu Community Conserved Area Wetland Complex, West Kameng district.

It is crucial to conduct a proper study on population estimation on migratory birds from nearby Assam plains breed in these high altitude wetlands during summer. A proper long term monitoring and conservation initiative is needed in these wetlands to generate scientific information for sustainable management of these areas. Regular monitoring of the population along with the breeding ecology will help in understanding the status and distribution of this species in the high-altitude regions of Arunachal Pradesh. Most of these high altitude wetland areas are used as traditional grazing ground and under the ownership of the local indigenous community of western Arunachal, and so it is necessary to understand the grazing pressure on the breeding sites of Ruddy Shelduck (T. ferruginea). As the breeding period of these birds also overlap with the summer grazing period of domestic livestock, it is however important to educate and trigger off the conservation initiative involving these livestock grazers to conserve these birds during breeding period.

Acknowledgement We are thankful to Mr. Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWFIndia, Dr. Sejal Worah, Programme Director,WWF-India and Dr. Dipankar Ghosh, Director, Species conservation programme, WWF-India for their constant encouragement and the people of Thembang Bapu Community Conserved Area (TBCCA), West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh for their help during the survey. We would

also like to acknowledge the support of Forest Department, Arunachal Pradesh during the whole exercise.

References Birand, A. and Pawar, S. (2004). An ornithological survey in north-east India.

Forktail 20:15-24.

BirdLife International (2011). Species factsheet: Tadorna ferruginea.

Downloaded from http:// www.birdlife.org on 12/07/2011.

Chandan, P., Chatterjee, A. and Gautam, P. (2008). Management and planning of Himalayan high altitude wetlands. A case study of Tsomoriri and Tsokar wetlands in Ladakh, India, pp.

1446-1452. In: Sengupta, M. & Dalwani, R. (eds.). Proceeding of Taal 2007: The 12th World Lake Conference, xxxviii+ 1793pp.

Ganguli-Lachungpa, U., Rahmani, A.R. & Islam, M.Z. (2011). Eleven priority areas for conservation: important bird areas of Sikkim, pp. 281-300. In: Arrawatia, M.L. & Tambe, S. (eds.).

Biodiversity of Sikkim - Exploring and Conserving a Global Hotspot. Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Sikkim, 542pp.

Gogoi, L., Mazumdar, K. and Dutta P.K. (2010). Occurrence of mallard Anas platyrhynchos in high-altitude lakes of Tawang District, western Arunachal Pradesh, India. Current Science 99(8): 998.

Islam, M.Z. and Rahmani, A.R. (2004). Important Bird Areas in India. Bombay Natural History Society, India and Birdlife International, UK, Oxford University Press, 1133pp.

Mazumdar, K. and Gogoi, L. (2010).

Rescue/Release of Blue-capped Rock Thrush (Monticola cinclorhynchus). Zoos’ Print XXV(3): 21-22.

Ramana A.threya (2006). A new species of Liocichla (Aves: Timaliidae) from Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Indian Birds 2 (4): 82-94.

Sangha, H.S. and Naoraji, R. (2007).

New and significant records of birds in Arunachal Pradesh, north-east India.

Forktail 23: 179-181.

Announcements: Geospatial research workshop at Agumbe Rainforest Research Station (ARRS) Following the field research technique workshop that was held between the 25th and 27th of May, ARRS will be conducting a two day geospatial research workshop at Agumbe this September.

Open to all interested individuals, the workshop will aim at providing an insight into the world of maps, data collection methods, basic map reading and report writing. The workshop encompasses a wide array of activities including mapping animal assemblages on a map, cartography or map making skills, groundtruthing, navigation using a topography map and compass etc., Anybody interested is welcome to register for the course. The group size will be restricted and a small screening procedure will be done for all participants. Please contact Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, arrs.india@gmail.com, for further information.

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Preliminary investigation on the parasites of mammals at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park , Darjeeling Sunita Pradhan*, Deepak Sharma, Bharkha Subba, Vikash Chettri Abstract There is now a growing consensus that issues, problems and management of high altitude Indian zoos are seminally different from the low land zoos in India. However, dearth of documented information on various aspects, including that of parasitic infection in animals of high altitude zoos was observed. The present report is a simple attempt to respond to this lack of information on the parasitic infection in animals of high altitude zoos in India.

698 stool tests reports from the zoo were consulted for the present compilation of the parasitic loads and infection in 19 mammal species of Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (altitude: 2137 meters) a high altitude zoo in Darjeeling hills. Only 121 (17%) of the 698 stool reports, indicated positive parasitic infection in the mammals. The animals were specifically positive for Trichomonas sp, Toxocara sp and Ascarids. Among the infected animal groups, the primates showed almost no infection, whereas others exhibited parasites to a varying degree, the highest being among the Felidae. Parasitic infection (28%) in snow leopard was higher than the other felids, but was, closely followed by the leopard cat (23%) and the Royal Bengal tiger (15%). Out of the 15 red panda, only seven animals tested positive for parasites out of which five animals (33%) were interestingly all old animals above the age of 11 years.

No distinct seasonal pattern of parasitic infection in the mammals at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park was seen from this very basic and preliminary investigation.

Key Words: High altitude zoo, high altitude mammals, parasitic investigation Introduction Parasitic investigation is important for management of animals and animal diseases in captivity. Substantial information existed on this aspect from lowland (plains) Indian zoos. However, published information on the parasitic investigation of captive animals in high altitude Indian Zoos was found to be almost nonexistent. This was specifically noticed during a training course for zoo keepers of high altitude zoos of India held in Darjeeling in 2007. Some of the high altitude zoos are in Uttaranchal, Uttarakhand, Gangtok, Himachal Pradesh and Darjeeling in West Bengal.

The specific high altitude zookeepers training program was held with a consensus that issues, problems and management of high altitude zoo are different from that of the low land zoos. This report investigates the parasitic infection of captive mammals in Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling (henceforth referred to as PNHZP). It is a simple attempt to respond to this lack of information on the parasitic infection in animals in captivity at high altitude zoos in India.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, popularly known as Darjeeling Zoo is a high altitude zoo situated at an altitude of 2137 m (6500ft). PNHZP is categorized as a small zoo (Anon 2001). Located at 27° 03´32" N and 88°15 ´47" E, it covers an area of 67 acres. PNHZP presently holds 13 mammal species, eight bird species and one amphibian species. The zoo has an animal collection plan which enlists 22 high altitude mammal species, seven Himalayan pheasants and partridges and one amphibian species to be housed in the zoo.

Methodology Prophylactic measures like stool test of animals in PNHZP is carried out on a regular basis following a stool tests schedule. 698 reports of these stool tests from the year 2004 – 2007 were taken for the present compilation of the parasitic loads and infection in mammals at PNHZP. Stool test of the animals for parasitic infection in PNHZP is done following the standard sedimentation and flotation techniques . We did not attempt any statistical analysis for the present report.

Results and discussion Out of the 698 stool tests consulted, 121 stool reports indicated an infection which amounted to only 17% positive for parasitic infection in the mammals in the zoo. The animals were specifically positive for Trichomonas sp., Toxocara sp and Ascarids. Among the infected animal groups, the Primates showed almost no infection, whereas members of other taxa exhibited parasites to a varying degree, the highest being among the Felidae. The results of the investigation are presented in Table 1.

Hanuman langur, Presbytis entellus and slow loris, Nycticebus coucang are the two primate species at PNHZ Park. Hanuman Langur is reported to harbor nematodes such as Anatrichosoma cutaneum, A. cynomologis and protozoan parasites such as Entamoeba hystolytica, Balantidium coli, Giardia lamblia and Toxoplasma gondii.

(Wolff, 1993). No infection was reported in the two species at PNHZP, throughout the year (Table 2).

Cannidae is represented by Jackal, Canis aureus and Tibetan wolf, Canis lupus chanco at PNHZP. Common parasites such as Dioctophyme renale, Dirofilaria immitis, Ancyclostoma caninum, Capillaria aerophila, Crenosoma vulpis,Toxocara canis, Uncinaria stenocephala , Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp., Echinococcus spp. has been reported from these species or related species of canids (Varadharajan and Pythal 1999, Kennedy-Stoskopf 2001).

Toxocara sp. in Jackal was the only parasite reported from the cannids from PNHZP. Tibetan Wolf was found negative for parasitic infection during the whole year (Table 2).

Felidae is represented by common leopard, Panthera pardus, clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, Snow leopard, Uncia uncia, leopard cat, Felis bengalensis, Indian Tiger, Panthera tigris tigris, and Siberian Tiger, Panthera tigris altiaca. Internal parasites that has been reported from different members of the family felidae is a rather long list, some of which are Toxocara cati, Toxocaris leonina, Toxocara canis, Spirocerca lupi, Dirofilaria immitis, Ancyclostoma spp., Uncinaria stenocephala, Gurltia paralysans, Aelurostrongylus sp., Physaloptera sp., Trichinella spiralis, Macracanthorhynchus catulinums, Taenia sp. Echinococcus sp., Paragonimus westermani, , Eimeria sp, Toxoplasma gondii, Stongyloides, Diphyllbothrium and Paragonimus (Varadharajan, A and C. Pythal 1999, Wach 2003). However, only common parasites such as Toxocara cati, T. leonina and Toxascaris sp. were reported from the Felidae in PNHZP (Table 1).

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling 734 101, West Bengal * Corresponding Author: sunitaprad@yahoo.com

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Table 1 Prevalence of parasitic infections in mammals at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological, Park, Darjeeling

Species

Scientific name

No of animals examined

No of stool Sample reports examined showing infection

Eggs/oocyst detected In a field? ***

Hanuman Langur

Presbytis entellus

3

3

0 (0)

None

Slow Loris

Nycticebus coucang

1

13

0 (0)

None

Jackal

Canis aureus

2

19

2 (11%)

Toxocara sp. (2)

Tibetan Wolf

Canis lupus chanco

9

4 (Group sample)

0 (0)

None

Clouded Leopard

Panthera pardus

1

7

1 (14%)

Toxascaris sp. (1)

Common Leopard

Neofelis nebulosa

5

49

2 (4%)

Toxascaris sp. (1),Toxocara sp (1)

Indian Tiger

Panthera tigris tigris

4

26

4 (15%)

Toxocara sp. (3)

Leopard Cat

Panthera bengalensis

2

30

7 (23%)

Toxocara sp (7)

Siberian Tiger

Panthera tigris altiaca

2

14

4 ( 14%)

Toxascaris (4)

Snow Leopard

Uncia uncia

18

173

48 (28%)

Toxocara spp.(46), Toxascaris (2)

Ailurus fulgens

13

195

34 (17%)

Trichomonas sp. (19)** Schistosoma sp. (1), Ascaris sp. (14)

Pamuga larvata

4

36

2(6%)

Ascaris sp. (2)

Selenarctos thibetanus

5

79

7 (9%)

Toxocara sp. (7)

Sus scrofa

2

3

1 (33%)

Ascaris sp. (1)

Barking Deer

Muntiacus muntjak

5

15 (group sample)

2 (13%)

Dictyocaulus sp. (2)

Himalayan Tahr

Hemitragus jemlahicus

2

5

0 (0)

None

Musk Deer

Moschus moschiferus

3

3

2 (67%)

Dictyocaulus sp. (2)

Sambar Deer

Cervus unicolor

2

8

2 (25%)

Trichomonas sp. (2) **

Bos grunniens

3

16

3 (19%)

Ascaris sp. (2), Fasciola sp. (1)

698

121 (17%)

Primates

Cannidae

Felidae

Procyonidae Red Panda Vivveridae Palm Civet Ursidae Himalayan Black Bear Sussidae Wild Boar Cervidae

Bovidae Yak TOTAL ** = Protozoa Table. 2 Seasonal prevalence of percent parasitic infection among the mammal species in PNHZP, Darjeeling

Animal Species

Pre-Monsoon

Monsoon

Autumn

Winter

Mar-May

June-Aug

Sep-Nov

Dec-Feb

Hanuman Langur

Nil

Nil

0 (n=3)

Nil

Slow Loris

0 (n=3)

0(n=2)

0(n=4)

0 (n=4)

Jackal

0 (n=6)

0 (n=0)

0(n=3)

20(n=10)

Tibetan Wolf

0 (n=2)

Nil

0 (n=2)

Nil

Clouded Leopard

50 (n=2)

0 (n=1)

0 (n=2)

0 (n=2)

Common Leopard

13 (n=17)

0 (n=5)

0 (n=15)

0(n=12)

Indian Tiger

0 (n=6)

29 (n=7)

17 (n=12)

0 (n=1)

Leopard Cat

0 (n=7)

100 (n=4)

25 (n=4)

14 (n=14)

Siberian Tiger

75 (n=4)

0 (n=2)

25 (n= 4)

25 (n= 4)

Snow Leopard

41 (n=51)

26 (n=23)

27 (n=52)

15 (n=47)

Red Panda

12 (n=73)

33 (n=30)

20 (n=71)

14 (n=21)

Palm Civet

0 (n=8)

100 (n=2)

0 (n=13)

0 (n=13)

Himalayan Black

10 (n=31)

0(n=0)

9 (n=22)

8 (n=26)

Wild Boar

100 (n=1)

Nil

0 (n=2)

Nil

Sambar Deer

Nil

100 (n=2)

0 (n=4)

0 (n=2)

Barking Deer

1 (n=9)

2 (n=5)

Nil

0 (n=1)

Musk Deer

50 (n=2)

Nil

Nil

100 (n=1)

Himalayan Tahr

Nil

Nil

0 (n=5)

Nil

Yak

0 (n=2)

0 (n=3)

0 (n=7)

100 (n=4)

Number of sample in parenthesis; Nil = no samples were tested

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It has been reported that compared to other feline species, faecal sample from captive snow leopards showed higher incidence of and prevalence of Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina eggs (Wharton and Mainka,1997). Parasitic infection (27%) in snow leopard in PNHZP was higher than the other felids, but was, closely followed by the leopard cat (23%) and the Royal Bengal tiger (15%). (Table 1 and 2).

The sole representative of the family Procyonidae at PNHZP is red panda, Ailurus fulgens. Red panda in PNHZP tested positive for protozoa Trichomonas sp., Schistosoma sp. and Ascaris sp. Apart from cestodes, nematodes and coccidian, lung worm such as Angiostrongylus sp. and Crenisomatidae has been reported from Red panda elsewhere (Montali et al 1984).

The Himalayan Black Bear, Selenarctos thibetanus is the only representative of the family Ursidae at PNHZP. Some of the parasites reported in this group are Ancyclostoma malayanus, Dicrocoelium lanceolatum, Hemaphysalis megapinosa, Tetrapetalonema akitensis, Toxocaris leonina, Trichinella spiralis, Trichodectes pinquis, Strongyle (Varadharajan & Pythal 1999; Ramsay 2003). The captive Himalayan Black Bear in PNHZP tested positive for Toxocara sp. only.

Cervidae represented by musk deer, Moschus moschiferus, sambar deer, Cervus unicolor, Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak and Himalayan Tahr, Hemitragus jemlahicus was reported with Ascaris and Trichomonas sp. In PNHZP. In Thiruvananthapuram zoo (Kerela), sambar deer tested positive for parasites like Stongyle, Strongylids, Amphistone, Spiruid and Ascarid (Varadharajan & Pythal 1999) with parasitic infection ranging from 24 to 33 % all round the year. Similarly barking deer and nilgiri thar, were also reported with Stongyle and Spiruid (Varandharajan & Pythal 1999). In PNHZP, himalayan tahr was not found positive for any parasites throughout the year, while Dictyocaulus sp. was reported in Musk Deer and in the barking Deer. Sample size in this group of herbivores was however small as can be seen from Table 1 and 2.

Wild pigs of family Suidae and related species are reported with parasites such as Ascaris suum, Strongyloides ransomi, Oesophagostomum sp, Metastrongylus sp, Trichinella sp., Hyostrongylus sp., Ascarops sp., Physocephalus sp., Macrocanthorhyncus hirudinaceus, Stephanurus dentatus, Echinicoccus granulosus, Taenia acinonyxi, T. multiceps, T. regis, T. solium, Fascioloides magna and Dicrocoelium dendriticum (Fowler, 1993) .Wild boar in PNHZP tested positive for Ascaris sp.

Conclusion Apart from the documentation of these results on the parasitic infection in the mammals at PNHZP, we have not attempted to infer or discuss the results further. The parasitic infection recorded in mammals in PNHZP was a low of 17%. Similar information from other high altitude zoos in India could help in generating a comparative database. This would in turn aid in producing a comprehensive understanding of the parasitic infection in captive animals and their management in high altitude zoos of India. It could also be helpful in knowing as to how different these zoos and their management can be from the low land zoos.

Reference Anon (2001). Zoos – Instrument for Conservation.

National Zoo Policy and Statues and Guideline Related with Zoo Management. Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.

Fowler M (1993). Wild swine and peccaries, pp. 210-233.

In: Fowler M.E., & R.E. Miller (eds). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine (fifth edition). WB Saunders, Philladelphia, USA, 782pp.

Kennedy-Stoskopt, S. (2003). Canidae, pp. 482-491. In: Fowler M.E. & R.E. Miller (eds). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine (fifth edition). WB Saunders, Philladelphia, USA, 782 pp.

Montali, R. J., M. Roberts, R A Freeman, & M. Bush (1984). Pathology survey of the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), pp.128-140. In: Ryder, O.A. & M.L. Byrd (eds).

One medicine. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

Ramsay, E.C. (2003). Ursidae and Hyaenidae, pp.

523-538. In: Fowler M. E. & R.E. Miller (eds). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine (fifth edition). WB Saunders, Philladelphia, USA, 782pp.

Varadharajan, A & C. Pythal (1999). A preliminary investigation on the parasites of wild animals at the Zoological Garden, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerela. Zoos’ Print Journal I-XIV(3-12): 159-164.

Wack, R.F. (2003). Felidae, pp.491–501. In: Fowler M.E. & R.E. Miller (eds). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine (fifth edition). WB Saunders, Philladelphia, USA, 782pp.

Wharton, D. & S. A. Mainka (1997). Management and husbandry of the Snow Leopard Uncia uncia. International Zoo Yearbook 35(1): 139–147.

Wolff P.L. (1993). Parasites of New World Primates, pp.

378-389. In: Fowler M.E (eds). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine (fifth edition). WB Saunders, Philladelphia, USA, 782pp.

Acknowledgement The encouragement and support of the Director, Mr. A.K. Jha, IFS, for the preparation of this report is thankfully acknowledged.

As can be seen from table 2, very low incidence of parasitic infection was found in the clouded leopard, common leopard, jackal, palm civet and the Tibetan Wolf. The herbivores in PNHZP also showed very low rate of parasitic infection during the whole year. However, the Snow leopard, followed by the tiger species, leopard cat and the red panda had almost a year round prevalence of parasites.

As for the red panda, it was found that out of the 15 individuals tested for parasitic infection from 2004 to 2007, only seven animals tested positive for parasites out of which five animals (33%) were interestingly all old animals above the age of 11 years. The other two were a breeding pair. As for the snow leopards, out of the 18 animals, one animal (house name: Prabhat) showed the highest rate of infection of 67 percent among the snow leopards. No distinct seasonal pattern of parasitic infection in the mammals at PNHZP was seen from this very basic and preliminary investigation.

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Moniliasis in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) - A case study Bhoyar R.*, I. Karuna, M.C. Anilkumar, G. Filia and P.K. Patil Abstract An Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) was suffering from chronic diarrhea, anorexia, and dehydration. The case was treated with antibiotics for a week, without any marked improvement. A non-responsive diarrheic Asian elephant’s faecal sample was submitted to our laboratory for bacterial isolation and identification. The sample was processed for colibacillosis, salmonellosis and paratuberculosis. The sample was found to be positive for Escherichia coli and negative for Salmonella and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. After 48 hours of incubation period at 370C, wrinkled, creamy white, raised colonies were noticed over blood agar. Oval or spherical shaped budding yeast cells were observed on Gram’s staining. Monomorphic form of these yeast cell colonies were later confirmed as Candida albicans by germ tube test. The presence of Candida albicans in association with entero toxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) might have caused severe enteric infection in an Asian elephant.

Key words: Asian elephant, Candida albicans Wild animals in captive or free range suffer with many fungal infections such as ringworm, moniliasis, coccididiomycosis, cryptococcosis, nocordiosis, phycomycosis, histoplasmosis etc. (Wallach and Boever, 1983). Fungal infection among wild animals many a time goes unnoticed or under reported. Candida infection is showing an upsurge in incidence in human beings (Julian et al., 2003). The major clinical condition by Candida in humans is thrush, whereas in animals it is associated with mastitis, abortion, endometritis, infertility, dermatitis and thrush (Jand et al., 2003, Scott 1988. and Mishra and Panda, 1986). In wild animals Candida infection either alone or in association with bacteria are recorded in black bucks, mouse, oposums, kangaroos, primates, bear, exotic swine, dolphins and wild bird (Wallach and Boever, 1983).

Elementary canal infection due to Candida albicans reported in humans, domestic animals and wild animals (Flower and Miller., 2008, Jand et al., 2003. and Finn, 1969), which is often follow extended therapy of broad spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs and also avitaminosis-A and chronic diseases are the major contributing factors in increasing the incidence of disease in wild animals. However reports on such systemic fungal infection with Candida albicans in elephants are scanty.

Hence, this case study reports the systemic fungal infection of moniliasis in captive Asian elephant.

An Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) at Chattbir zoo (Punjab) was suffering from diarrhea, dehydration and was treated by zoo veterinarian with broad spectrum antibiotics for a week, without any marked improvement. A nonresponsive diarrheic Asian elephant’s faecal sample was submitted to our laboratory for bacterial isolation and identification. The received faecal sample was processed for Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis using standard faecal culture and isolation methods (Quinn et al., 2007). Array of different selective plates (Mac Conkey Lactose Agar, Brilliant Green Agar, Eosine Methylene Blue Agar, Xylose Lactose Turgital-4 Agar) were used for identification of Escherichia coli and Salmonella. Whereas, modified Zheil Neelson’s acid fast staining technique was carried out for detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and to detect any other bacteria sample was streaked over blood agar. The results indicated that the faecal sample was positive for entero toxigenic Escherichia coli (E. coli – O60) and negative for

Salmonella and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. After 48 hours of incubation period at 370 C, wrinkled, creamy white, raised colonies were noticed over blood agar. Oval or spherical shaped budding yeast cells were observed on Gram’s staining. Monomorphic form of these yeast cell colonies were suspected to be Candida species and were later confirmed as Candida albicans by germ tube test (Quinn et al., 2007). Candida albicans have the ability to grow on blood agar, therefore they often isolated from specimen submitted for bacterial culture. There are many species of Candida species isolated from animals including both pathogenic and non pathogenic species. Of these Candida albicans is most frequent and significant. To differentiate pathogenic Candida species from non pathogenic Candida species a simple germ tube test was performed. The germ tube test allows rapid differentiation of Candida albicans from most of the other non pathogenic Candida species (Sridevi et al., 2008).

In this case, isolation and identification of Candida albicans confirms the moniliasis, which was characterized by anorexia, diarrhea and dehydration. Presence of Candida albicans in association with entero toxigenic Escherichia coli (O60) might have caused severe enteric infection in an Asian elephant. Later, zoo veterinarian was intimated to take up necessary treatment against moniliasis.

References Finn J.P. (1969). Pycocephalus and gastritis in Polar Bear (Thalarctos maritimus). Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association 155: 1086-1089.

Flower M.E. and R.E. Miller (2008). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Current Therapy. Sounders Co.,Missouri.

Jand S.K., Kaur Paviter and N.S. Sharma (2003).

Yeasts as animal pathogens. Indian Journal of Comparative Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases 24(2): 1-5.

Julian R., N. Stephen, J. Challacombe, and H. Bernhard (2003). Candida albicans secreted aspartyl proteinases in virulence and pathogenesis. Microbiology and Molecular Biological Review 67: 400-428.

Mishra P.R., and S.N. Panda (1986). Some observations on the occurrence of mycotic mastitis in cows in Orissa.

Indian Veterinary Journal 63: 886-888.

Quinn P.J., B.K. Marky, M.E. Carter, W. J. C. Donnelly, F.C. Leonard and D. Moghire (2007). Veterinary microbilogy and Microbial Disease. Blackwell Science, 233-235pp.

Scott D.W. (1988). Fungal diseases, pp.168-202. In: Large animal dermatology.W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, USA. Sridevi R., V.K. Chaturvedi, B. Joseph, B. Kumar and H.S. Asgola (2008). Comparitive studies on Germtube formation by Candida albicans in different media and biological fluid. Journal of Veterinary Public Health 6(2): 121-123.

Wallach J.D. and W.J. Boever (1983). Diseases of exotic animals: Medical and Surgical management. Saunders Co., 556-557pp.

Dept. of Epidemiology & Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana- 141004, India *Assistant Professor, Email: bhoyarvet@gmail.com

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Notes on the reproduction of Barn Owl Tyto alba in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India R. Santhanakrishnan1, A. Mohamed Samsoor Ali2 & U. Anbarasan Introduction Barn Owl Tyto alba stertens (Hartert, 1929), a widely distributed, resident, nocturnal raptor in India is closely associated with man and agriculture (Marti et al. 1979; Kahila et al. 1994; Santhanakrishnan 1995). It has a higher biotic potential and more flexible reproduction than most other owls and ecologically similar bird species. It commonly breeds after one year of age, produces large clutches (Colvin 1984) and often produces two and sometimes more broods per year (Lenton 1984; Schulz & Yasuda 1985).

Barn Owl nests are found in tree hollows, gaps and crevices in abandoned buildings, temples, barns, ruins, etc. (Nagarajan et al. 1995). Its diet consist chiefly of smaller mammals particularly rodents but birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects are also eaten (Santhanakrishnan 1995; Mushtaq-ulHassan et al. 2004; Sommer et al.

2005, Leonardi & Arte 2006; Neelanarayanan 2007b). Extensive studies have been made on the nesting and feeding habits of the Barn Owl in many parts of the world (Roulin 2002; Altwegg et al. 2003; Haralambos et al.

2005) but little is known on the ecology of this species in South-east Asia particularly in India. Research on Barn Owl in India are mainly focusing their nest-sites (Nagarajan et al.

1995), utilization of man-made nest boxes (Neelanarayanan et al. 1995), sexual dimorphism (Kanakasabai et al.

1996), prey biomass estimation (Neelanarayanan 2007a) and diet composition (Neelanarayanan 2007b).

In this paper we shortly describe the reproduction of Barn Owl in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India.

Materials and Methods The present study was carried out in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu, India during 2007 - 2008. Madurai, lies between 9°56' N and 78°07' E, is situated on the banks of the River Vaigai. The total geographical area of the district is about 10,88,622 sq.km and topography is simple and flat as well as hilly in few areas. Paddy is the predominantly cultivated crop in the study area; however other crops such as sugarcane, banana, jasmine, betlevine, groundnut and sorghum are also cultivated in different regions. The District receives rainfall during October-December (north-east monsoon). Temperature during summer reaches a maximum of 40°C and a minimum of 26°C. The average annual precipitation is about 850mm.

Intensive searchers were made to locate the nests of Barn Owl in all the potential nesting sites viz., temple towers, buildings, barns, silos, arches, bridges, wells, trees etc in the study area. The presence of regurgitated pellets in the nest, white droppings on the outer wall of the cavity, the uneaten prey remains and food begging calls of chicks at nests and adult contact calls during night time were taken as clues for the identification of occupied sites and their breeding chronology (Nagarajan 1998; Mahmood-ul-Hassan et al.

2007). Besides, 17 artificial man-made wooden nest boxes (40″ length, 16″ height and 6x6″ hole) were also erected in the study area to enhance the reproductive potential as well as to check the possibility of using the nest boxes for nesting.

The onset of nesting was determined by the presence of egg or young in the nest and nests containing one or more eggs or nestlings were defined as active nests. Once an active nest was located, it was periodically monitored (at least once in a day) to record the reproductive chronology. Information on nature and type of nest-site, clutch size, egg morphometry, incubation period, brood size, hatching and fledging success was collected from each nest (Nagarajan 1998; Mahmoodul-Hassan et al. 2007).

Results Thirteen active Barn Owl nests were recorded in the study area and all of them were found in man-made structures and artificial man-made wooden nest boxes. Of all nests, 53.8% of them were observed inside the temple towers, 23.1% in holes found in temple compound walls, 15.4% in artificial wooden nest boxes and 7.7% in holes found in pillars. The overall mean height of all the nest-

Image 1. Clutch sizes of the Barn Owl eggs in the study area

sites was 11.5 ± 5.75m (range: 4.6 to 27.0m) and the mean nest hole height was 8.4 ± 4.83m (range: 1.6 to 22.0m). Barn Owls preferred nest-site which is very close to the potential micro-habitats viz., perch site, water sources, footpath, human habitations and road and these habitats found within 100m radius (Table 1).

Barn Owls eggs were roundish oval and pure white in colour without any markings. Clutch size is highly variable and the smallest being 4 and the largest of 8 eggs (Image 1). The overall mean clutch size was 4.9

Table 1. Nest-site & micro-habitat characteristics of Barn Owl in the study area (N=13) Variables Range Mean ± SD Total height of nest-site (m) 4.6 - 27.0 11.5 ± 5.75 Height of nest location (m) 1.6 - 22.0 8.4 ± 4.83 Distance to nearest perch site (m) 1.0 - 25.0 6.5 ± 6.70 Distance to nearest agricultural lands (m) 15.0 - 2750.0 942.7 ±142.49 Distance to nearest water sources (m) 5.0 - 60.0 28.8 ± 17.62 Distance to nearest footpath (m) 1.0 - 25.0 4.0 ± 6.48 Distance to nearest groves (m) 2.0 - 500.0 179.0 ± 197.90 Distance to nearest human habitations (m) 2.0 - 200.0 29.7 ± 53.15 Distance to nearest road (m) 2.0 - 150.0 31.17 ± 41.12 Distance to nearest temple (m) 9.0 - 500.0 139.54 ± 135.96

Dept. of Zoology, Saraswathi Narayanan College (Autonomous), Perungudi, Madurai 625022, Tamil Nadu, India Email: rskbarnowl@yahoo.co.in1 (Corresponding Author); amsamsoor@yahoo.co.in2

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Table 2: Egg morphometry of Barn Owl in the study area Year

Fig 1. Clutch size variations of Barn Owl in the study area

N

2007 2008

8 13

Total

21

Length (mm) Range

Mean ± SD

38.9-43.0 45.0-48.0

40.3 ± 1.32 44.0 ± 3.46

33.0-35.0 33.9 ± 1.13 32.0-36.0 32.6 ± 2.26

42.6 ± 3.34

33.1 ± 1.97

Fig 3. Nest-site wise fledging success of Barn Owl

(N=13) and nearly 54% of the clutches contained four eggs (Fig. 1). Mean size of the egg was 42.6 ± 3.34mm x 33.1 ± 1.97mm (length x width). The average weight of the egg was 22.3 ± 3.79g for 21 eggs (Table 2).

Incubation began once the first egg was laid and done only by the female in the present study. Male Barn owl was seen perching very closer to the nest or sometimes they may not be found. The incubation period was ranged between 27 and 36 days with a mean incubation period of 31.5 days.

Mean brood size was 3.6 ± 1.89 (range 3-7) and brood size of four were not uncommon which yielded 54.5% of all the nests (Fig. 2).

Of the 64 eggs laid out of 13 clutches, 47 eggs hatched giving a hatching success of 73.4%. Totally 25 young ones fledged which has given a mean fledging success of 53.2% (Table 3). At two nest-sites 100% fledging success was noticed and 100% failure was encountered in four sites as well (Fig. 3).

Discussion Barn Owls in the present study seem to have a peak breeding during the month of November to April and rarely between June and September.

Range

Mean ± SD

Weight (g) Range

Mean ± SD

17.0-20.0 25.0-26.0

18.5 ± 1.20 25.6 ± 0.50 22.3 ± 3.79

Table 3. Relationship between Barn Owl hatching and fledging success in relation to initial Clutch No. of Total eggs Egg hatched Young fledged size clutches N % N % 4 7 28 22 78.6 14 63.6 5 3 15 9 60.0 3 33.3 6 1 6 5 83.3 4 80.0 7 1 7 4 57.1 0 0 8 1 8 7 87.5 4 57.1 13

Fig 2. Brood size variations of Barn Owl in the study area

Width (mm)

64

47

47/64x100 = 73.4

Santhanakrishnan (1995) recorded Barn Owl nests in all months except during July and August and a peak was noticed from January to April in the Cauvery delta region in Tamil Nadu, India. The year round breeding activities of Barn Owls were described

by Lenton (1984) and Mahmood-ulHassan et al. (2007). However, the differences in breeding season in different locations could be related to the rain fall and agricultural operations, prey cycle and the availability of secure nest-sites. The abundance of rodents has been reported to strongly influence the reproduction of Barn Owls (Taylor 1994).

Barn Owl is primarily a cavity nester use hollow trees, holes in building and crevices in cliffs as nesting sites (Colvin 1984; Nagarajan et al. 1995). In the present study Barn Owl nesting’s appear to depend largely on manmade structures (84.6%) particularly in temple complex. Apart from manmade structures they also used artificial wooden nest boxes (15.4%) for nesting. Interestingly no nests were recorded in natural tree cavities in the study area. Frequent use of man-made structures by Barn Owls for nesting is common and reported throughout the world. Santhanakrishnan (1995) and Nagarajan (1998) recorded more than 75% of the Barn Owl nest-sites were in temple towers in Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu. Ninety-three percent of 271 nests located in British Columbia were all in man-made structures, of which 82% were associated with farm buildings (Campbell & Campbell 1983).

In Morocco 90% of Barn Owl nests were in man-made structures mostly on minaret of mosques, chimneys, ruins and cliffs (Rihane et al. 2004).

Shawyer (1987) pointed out that manmade structures offer greater protection for young owls in the process of fledging. Fledglings can spend several days practicing flying skills inside the buildings without having to go outside to face predators and inclement weather.

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25/47x100 = 53.2

The high preferences of temple towers

by Barn Owls in the present study for nesting are attributed to the protection from mammalian and avian predators and also the close proximity to the foraging habitat. The availability of various habitat types within 1km radius of Barn Owl nest-sites revealed that human habitations dominated in and around all the nest-sites. These habitats are supposed to be the home for a variety of Barn Owl prey such as Grey Musk Shrew Suncus murinus, House Rat Rattus rattus, Mice Mus spp. and bats.

The mean height of nest-site and nest location height of Barn Owl in the present study were comparatively higher as reported by Bunn et al.

(1982), Colvin (1984) and Mahmoodul-Hassan et al. (2007) and significantly lower as reported by Santhanakrishnan (1995) and Nagarajan (1998). Colvin (1984) and Mahmood-ul-Hassan et al. (2007) observed that most of the nests were at trees whereas in the present study it was more in man-made structures. The considerable variation in these parameters in different regions suggest that height of the nest are relatively less important in nest-site preference than the presence of a suitable cavity/ hole. The micro-habitat availability study indicated that presence of human habitations (as a source of prey) around the nest-site is one of the important factors for the nest-site preference by Barn Owls. Similar observation was also recorded in the nest-sites of Barn Owl in Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu by Nagarajan (1998).

The egg dimensions of the present study were more or less similar to those of previous studies of Colvin (1984), Lenton (1984) and Santhanakrishnan (1995). In the present study the mean clutch size of Barn Owls were 4.9 eggs with a range of 4-8 eggs. Santhanakrishnan (1995)

16

and Nagarajan (1998) reported that mean clutch size of Barn Owl in Cauvery delta region was 5.4 and 4.9 eggs respectively. The clutch size of Barn Owls showed variation between geographical regions. For example, the mean clutch size was 6.6 eggs in Malaysia (Lenton 1984), 6.5 eggs in British Columbia (Andrusiak 1994), 5.91 eggs in Morocco (Rihane et al.

2004), 5.25 eggs in Pakistan (Mahmood-ul-Hassan et al. 2007) and 4.86 eggs in Great Britain (Shawyer 1987). Various factors such as age of female, food availability, intensity of predation, climate, type of habitat and geographic ranges may be attributed to the clutch size of Barn Owls (Colvin 1984; Mahmood-ul-Hassan et al.

2007).

The hatching success of Barn Owl in the present study was 73.4% which is more or less similar to the previous studies (Santhanakrishnan 1995; Nagarajan 1998; Andrusiak 1994; Martinez & Lopez 1999). Very low fledging success (53.2%) was recorded in the study area compared to the previous studies (Bendel & Therres 1990; Andrusiak 1994; Santhanakrishnan 1995; Nagarajan 1998; Rihane et al. 2004; Mahmoodul-Hassan et al. 2007). Various factors have been suggested for the low fledging success in Barn Owls viz., less prey availability, predators, weather, human disturbances, changes in agricultural practices and inadequate place for growing chicks (Gubanyi et al.

1992; Salvati et al. 2002). Predation (fledgling of five nests were predated by domestic cats), parasites (5 chicks in 2 nests severely affected by parasites), cannibalism (observed in one nest) and human disturbance (observed in one nest) were the factors that affected the fledging success in the present study.

Acknowledgements We thank the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India, New Delhi for providing the financial support. We are grateful to Principal and Management of Saraswathi Narayanan College, Madurai for having rendered facilities and encouragement. We acknowledge the valuable comments to this manuscript by Dr. V. Gokula, Asst.

Professor, Dept. of Zoology, National College, Thiruchirappalli, India. We are also thankful to Mr. P. Muthukumar, Field Assistant, for accompanying with us during the field trips.

References Altwegg, R., A. Roulin, M. Kestenholes & L. Jenni (2003).

Variation, covariation in survival, dispersal and population size in Barn Owls Tyto alba. Journal of Animal Ecology 72: 391-399.

Andrusiak, L.A. (1994). Nesting and roosting habitat and breeding biology of the barn owl (Tyto alba) in the lower mainland of British Columbia. M.Sc. Thesis, University of British Colombia.

Bendell, P.R. & G.D. Therres (1990). Nesting biology of Barn Owls from eastern shore marshes. Maryland Birdlife 46: 119-123.

Bunn, D.S., A.B. Warburton & R.E.S. Wilson (1982). The Barn Owl. Staffordshire, T & A. D. Poyser.

Campbell, E.C. & R.W. Campbell (1983). Status report on the Common Barn Owl (Tyto alba) in Canada.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, B.C. Ministry of the Environment.

Colvin, B.A. (1984). Barn Owl foraging behaviour and secondary poisoning hazard from rodenticide use on farms. Ph.D. Thesis, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio.

Gubanyi, J.A., R.M. Case & G. Wingfield (1992). Diet and nesting success of Barn Owls breeding in western Nebraska. American Midland Naturalist 127: 224-232.

Haralambos, A., V. Gounter & S. Zogaris (2005). Contribution to the study of the diet of four owl species (Aves, Strigiformes) from mainland and island areas of Greece. Belgium Journal of Zoology 135: 109-118.

Kahila, G., S. Aviel & E. Tchernov (1994). Reproductive cycle of the Barn Owls (Tyto alba) in nesting boxes.

Israel Journal of Zoology 40: 100.

Kanakasabai, R., P. Neelanarayanan & R. Nagarajan (1996). Sexual dimorphism in Barn Owl (Tyto alba). Newsletter for Birdwatchers 36: 55.

Lenton, G.M. (1984). The feeding and breeding biology of barn owl, Tyto alba in Peninsular Malaysia. Ibis 126: 551-575.

Leonardi, G. & G.L.D. Arte (2006).

Food habits of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) in a steppe area of Tunisia. Journal of Arid Environments 65: 677-681.

Mahmood-ul-Hassan, M., M.A. Beg, M. Mushtaq-ul-Hassan, H.A. Mirza & M. Siddique (2007). Nesting and diet of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) in Pakistan. Journal of Raptor Research 41(2): 122-129.

Marti, C.D., P.W. Wager & K.W. Denne (1979). Nest boxes for the management of barn owls. Wildlife Society Bulletin 7: 145-148.

Martinez, J.A. & G. Lopez (1999).

Breeding ecology of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) in Valencia (East of Spain).

Journal Field Ornithology 140: 93-99.

Mushtaq-ul-Hassan, M., M.N. Raza, B. Shahzadi & A. Ali (2004). The diet of Barn Owl from canal bank, canal rest house and graveyard of Gogra.

Journal of Research (Science) 15(3): 291-296.

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Nagarajan, R. (1998). Nest characteristics, productivity and nestling growth pattern of the Barn Owl Tyto alba stertens Hartert, 1929 in an agro-environment of Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Ph.D. Thesis, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, India.

Nagarajan, R., P. Neelanarayanan & R. Kanakasabai (1995).

Descriptions of nesting sites of Barn Owl (Tyto alba) in man-made structures. Zoos’ Print Journal 10(5): 15.

Neelanarayanan, P. (2007a).

Technique for estimation of barn owl (Tyto alba stertens Hartert, 1929) prey biomass with special reference to mandible length-body weight ratio of small mammals. Zoos’ Print Journal 22 (1): 2519-2521.

Neelanarayanan, P. (2007b). Diet of Barn Owl Tyto alba stertens Hartert, 1929 in a portion of Cauvery delta, Tamil Nadu, India. Zoos’ Print Journal 22(8): 2777-2781.

Neelanarayanan, P., R. Nagarajan & R. Kanakasabai (1995). Scope for the utilization of man-made nest boxes to Barn Owl, Tyto alba. Zoos’ Print Journal 8(11): 3.

Rihane, A., P. Bergier & S. Mahari (2004). Notes on the reproduction of the Barn Owl Tyto alba in the Atlantic plains of semi-arid Morocco. Bulletin of ABC 11(1): 46-50.

Roulin, A. (2002). Offspring desertion by double-brooded female Barn Owls (Tyto alba). Auk 199: 515-519.

Salvati, L., L. Ranazzi & A. Manganaro (2002). Habitat preferences, breeding success and diet of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) in Rome: Urban versus rural territories. Journal of Raptor Research 36(3): 224-228.

Santhanakrishnan, R. (1995).

Ecology of Barn Owl, Tyto alba (Scopoli) with special reference to its population, feeding and breeding in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, South India. Ph.D. Thesis, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, India.

Schulz, T.A. & D. Yasuda (1985).

Ecology and management of common barn owl (Tyto alba) in California Central Valley. Proceedings of Raptor Research Foundation Symposium, Sacramento, C.A. Shawyer, C. (1987). The Barn Owl in British Isles- Its past, present & future.

The Hawk Trust, London, England.

Sommer, R., H. Zoller, D. Kock, W. Bohme & A. Griesau (2005).

Feeding of the barn owl, Tyto alba with first record of the European free-tailed bat, Tadarida teniotis on the island of Ibiza (Spain, Balearics). Folia Zoologica 54(4): 364-370.

Taylor, I.R. (1994). Barn Owl: Predator-prey relationships and conservation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England.

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Status of five species of predators in Thar Desert, Jodhpur District, Rajasthan (India) L.S. Rajpurohit, Goutam Sharma*, Prateek Vijay and Chena Ram Abstract Five species of carnivores were sighted and studied.

Distribution and status of the Asiatic jackal (Canis aureus aureus Linn), wolf (Canis lupus pallipes Sykes), striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena Linn), desert fox (Vulpus vulpus Pusilla) and the common mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii Geofroy) are described. Of 19 species of carnivore recorded in India, 7 species have been earlier reported in this area.

But three species-jungle cat (Felis chasu Gray), caracal (Felis caracal Fischer) and the common civet (Viverricula indica) have not been sighted during present study. All the five species sighted here are regarded rare and kept under schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act-2003. The numbers of these five predators have been declining steadily due to habitat destruction and consequently, the distributional ranges of these species have been reduced.

They are in need of complete protection. The present studies are near Osian village of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan state became very important and a suitable site for study these species in details of ecology and behaviour.

Our recommendation that such important patches of rare wildlife species should be monitored regularly and state government should take some steps for conservation and preservation of such kind of reserves of endangered species of carnivores with the cooperation of the local people. The provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act should be strictly imposed against illegal hunting of these animals.

Key Words: Distribution, status, Predators, Rajasthan Introduction The Thar desert has resulted from geo-tectonic and climatic changes in the past and almost continues into the ‘Sahara’ through middle eastern deserts. The biodiversity of the Thar desert is important from biogeographic point of view as it presents an admixture of Palaearctic and Indo-Malayan elements (Prakash, 1974).

The ‘Thar’ desert is a biologist’s paradise with respect to the types of wild animals in general and the carnivores in particular. The carnivores of India as well as all the other large mammalian species have suffered greatly with the introduction of motor vehicles and firearms at the beginning of 20th century, and from habitat destruction.

Nineteen species of carnivores have been recorded from India and during the late 19th century, the Thar desert, in the Northwest part of India, supported excellent mammalian faunal diversity due to low human density (Blanford, 1888-91; Jerdon, 1874; Prater, 2005). And ten of these 19 species of carnivores have been reported in this desert area out of 45 mammalian species (Chhangani and Mohan, 2010). But for the last three decades only seven species viz., Asiatic jackal (Canis aureus aureus), wolf (Canis lupus pallipes), striped hyaena (Hyaena hyaena), desert fox (vulpus vulpus), Indian fox (Vulpes bengalensis), jungle cat (Felis chaus), caracal (Felis caracal) and the common mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii), are reported (Rajpurohit, 1988). As a result of almost continuous hunting and poaching, and due to the gradual degradation of their preferred natural habitats, the number of species and the individuals of particular species have been reduced.

Study Area Sixty percent of the desert is located in northwestern part of Rajasthan state. The ‘Thar’ desert is situated in the west of the Aravali ranges and lies between 240 and 350 5’ N latitude and 700 7’ and 760 2’ E longitude.(Husain, 2010)

The present human population of this arid region is 22.57 million (census data 2001, GOI) and the density is 133 persons per km2, making the ‘Thar’ one of the most densely populated deserts in the world (Baqri and Kankane 2001).

Along with the human population increase, there has also been a steady increase in the presence of livestock and the present density is 145 animals per km2. Though the desert environment is inhospitable for plants, wild and domestic animals and human beings. Yet it possesses a spectacular and vivid fauna and flora.

The study area falls near village Osian of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan state. Today, Osian is a developing town of about 30-35 thousands inhabitants, situated about 62 km. north of Jodhpur and lies at 328.8 meters above sea level; 260 45’ N latitude and 730 02’ E longitude. The area encompasses sand dunes, sandy plains, sand hills and together constitute an open scrub forest. And, this semi arid habitat receives about 20 to 35 cm of annual rainfall and 90% of its occurs during monsoon period i.e. July to September. The temperature ranges from 00 C in December-January to as high as 480 C in May-June. The relative humidity ranges from 25 to 60 percent. The natural vegetation is open scrub dominated by xerophytic plants such as Prosopis cineraria, Acacia senegal, Caparis decidua, Prosopis juliflora, Tecomella spp., Calotropis procera, Calligonum polygonoides, Ziziphus spp. Recently few agriculture farms (tube well-irrigated) have been raised. Over 30 species of mammals have been recorded from this region of desert.

Apart from carnivores likes Asiatic jackal, wolf, hyaena, desert fox, Indian fox and the common mongoose, other wild animals in the area include Indian gazelle (Gazella bennetti), blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra), blue bull or nilgai ‘Rojh’ (Boselaphus tragocamelus), jungle hare (Lepus nigricollis), squirrel (Funambulus pennanti) hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus), Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica), common bat (Rhinopoma spp.) and fruit bat (Pterophus giganteus). Among birds, Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), blue rock pigeon (Columba livia), ring dove (Streptopelia decaocto), red turtle dove (Streptopelia tranguebarica), grey partridge (Francolinus pondicerianus), Indian sandgroose (Pterocles exustus), pariah kite (Milvus migrans), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), house crow (Corvus splendens), common myna (Acridotheres tristis), white cheeked bulbul (Pynonotus leneogenys), red vented bulbul (Pynontus cafer), sun bird (Nectarinida asiatica), common babbler (Turdoides caudatus), large grey babbler (Turdoides malcolmi), Indian robin (Saxicoloides fulicata), red wattled lapwig (Vanellus indicus), white backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis), black drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis), eagle (Circactus gallicus), cuckoo (Cuculur micropterus), parakeet parrot (Psittacular cyanocephala), common owl (Bubo bubo), spotted owlet (Athene brama), scavenger vulture (Nephron percnopterus), bee eater (Merops spercilliosus), cattle egret (Bubulus ibis), etc.

The reptiles found in this area are calotes (Calotes versicolor), uromastix (Uromastix hardwicki), varanus or moniter lizard (Varanus bengalensis), house gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis), sand lizard (Acanthodactylus cantonis), sand fish (Ophiomorus tridactylus), cobra (Naja naja), viper (Echis carinatus), Russel’s viper (Vipera russelli), earth snake ‘dumai’ (Eryx johnii) and Dhaman Animal Behaviour Unit, Department of Zoology, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur - 342001, Rajasthan *Email: gautam_234746@yahoo.co.in

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above five carnivore species have been sighted very often.

Many of the times jackal or desert foxes corpses found crushed on road (Jodhpur-Osian).

The number of particular species individuals and their sightings at a distance from the point were recorded. A 10 x 50 mm prismatic field binocular was used for direct observation of the animals in the field. Scanning and Ad Libitum methods (Altmann, 1974) were used. Dens of hyaena and wolves were identified with the help of local people especially the shepherds being victims as their goats and sheep are killed/dragged by hyaena and or wolves.

Observation and Results In our survey of winter-2009 in the study area, we encountered and observed six different sightings of jackals.

There were two duos, three packs of 3-4 individuals and a solitary animal. We had also heard night crying of jackals during late evenings. The jackals are omnivorous and eat vegetables, fruits, birds, small mammals and carrion.

Fig 1. Location of Study Site in Rajasthan

We have observed wolves on nine incidences, four of solitary animal, three duo and two packs of 3 animals each.

Wolves do kill and eat sheep and goats killing sometimes more than they can eat. They attck on shepherds or their families are not uncommon. And these incidents lead to the killing of wolves. In three months (December-February, 2009), there are about a dozen local people reports of goat or sheep killing by wolves in this area. One case of wolf killing by shepherd during sheep herd attack has been reported.

During this predator sighting study, we have seen hyaena on seven occasions. And every time we found solitary animal. Four dens of hyaena were identified with the help of local people. All of them are either at foothills or in between the valley of two hills. The striped hyaena is one of the largest carnivores in India. No accurate number of the hyaena population are available in this region. However, they are estimated 8-10 animals within this isolated habitat.

This animal is on the list of Red Data Book of IUCN. Hyaena does not only feed on carrion, but it also prey on sheep, goats and calves. It also eats vegetables and fruits. There has been an intense human pressure on the hyaena in recent years. In last 2 years, three causalities have been reported when a mad male hyaena attacked a 12-year old boy and a buffalo. Later that animal was killed by local people.

Desert fox also observed in this area on several occasions in open scrub lands. And every time solitary animal was seen.

Two burrows of desert foxes were excavated those were 2-2.5 meters long and having 3-4 openings. Three foxes’ corpses have been found crushed by road accidents during 2007-08. Similarly, the common mongoose has been observed in this area and on road sides.

Fig 2. Desert National Park

(Ptyas mucosus). During rains Agma toad (Phrynocephalus sp.) could be seen.

Material and Methods The study area near town Osian, comprises of a 3 to 2 km. strip of about 5 km2, 3-5 km. south to town Osian. The area having open scrub, plains, hills and a few irrigated farms is very important from wildlife species point of view. All the

Discussion and Recommendation The wildlife in general and the carnivores in particular have suffered greatly with the introduction of motor vehicles and firearms in the last century as well as from habitat destruction. However, there is no estimation of these five carnivore species viz. Asiatic jackal, wolf, hyaena, desert fox and the common mongoose in this area during this study, but the present observations in this region indicate that a viable population of these species. Rajpurohit (1988) have reported an attack on human being by a mad hyaena which was later killed by local people in the same area. Similar case reported in present study.

The small patch of about 10 km2 near Osian of district Jodhpur (Rajasthan) can be a ideal wildlife reserve area

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which preserved some of the faunal diversities placed in Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act-1972. For the study of desert biodiversity and mix biodiversity, it is very important suitable site. It is recommended to Government Authorities to make some efforts to preserve this microhabitat of mammalian fauna.

References Altmann, J. (1974). Observational study of behaviour: sampling methods. Behaviour 49: 337-349.

Baqri, Q. H., and P. L. Kankane. (2001). Desert: Thar.

Pp. 94–109. In: Ecosystems of India (J. R. B. Alfred, A. K. Das, and A. K. Sanyal, eds.). ENVIS–Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, India.

Blanford, W.T. (1888-91). The Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma, Mammalian Series. Ed. W.T. Blanford, Taylor and Francis, Londong, 617pp.

Chhangani, A.K. and Mohan, D. (2010). Role of Common Property Resources in the Conservation of Flora and Faunal Diversity in the Thar Desert. Proceeding of National Seminar on Impacts of Climate Change On Biodiversity And Challenges In Thar Desert at Zoological Survey of India, on 9th July 2010 Jodhpur, 229-244pp.

Husain, A. (2010). A Comparative Study of Fish Fauna of Thar Desert and Western Himalaya With Conservation Status of Species. Proceeding of National Seminar on Impacts of Climate Change On Biodiversity And Challenges In Thar Desert at Zoological Survey of India, on 9th July 2010 Jodhpur, 96-117pp.

Jerdon, T.C. (1874). Mammals of India: A Natural History of the Animals Known to Inhabit Continental India. John Wheldon, London, 335pp.

Prakash, I. (1974). The ecology of vertebrates of the Indian desert, pp. 369-420. In: Biogeography and Ecology in India (Ed. M.S. Mani) Dr. Junk B.V. Verlag, The Hague.

Prater, S.H. (2005). The Book of Indian Animals. 12th Ed. Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay, 162pp.

Rajpurohit, L.S. (1988). Note of the attack of Hyaena (Hyaena hyaena) near village Osian, Jodhpur (Rajasthan).

Cheetal 31(3&4): 27-29.

Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to Prof. S.M. Mohnot, Executive Director, The School of Desert Sciences, Jodhpur for regular encouragements. Thanks to Head, Department of Zoology, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur for providing the logistic support.

Announcement : Positions available for research assistants: PROJECT: Gap analysis of the Periyar - Agasthyamalai landscape for arboreal mammal conservation (CEPF-ATREE Western Ghats Grant) Position 1: Research assistant for field surveys for 12 months.

Description: Presence – absence surveys for arboreal mammals will have to be undertaken across various sites in southern Tamilnadu and Kerala. This requires spending long periods of time in the field and the person must be willing to camp in remote areas. Candidates with some prior experience in carrying out surveys and who will be able to work independently in the field are encouraged to apply.

The recruited person has to work under the overall supervision of the Principal Investigator to whom monthly progress reports have to be communicated. Basic computer skills are a requirement.

Position 2: Research assistant for questionnaire surveys for 3 months.

Description: This job requires the candidate to undertake questionnaire based surveys in the field. The candidate is expected to meet Forest Department officials in this landscape, other NGOs who are working in Periyar-Agasthyamalai landscape and local communities to collect data on occurrence of arboreal mammals, threats to them and anthropogenic activities in the landscape. Working knowledge of Malayalam and Tamil is an absolute requirement and a background in social sciences is preferable. He/she has to work under the overall supervision of the Principal Investigator to whom monthly progress reports have to be communicated. Basic computer skills are a requirement.

Interested candidates may send their resumés to: sushma_at_feralindia.org

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Mucor spp infection in captive Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) in National Elephant Conservation Centre Azlan Che’ Amat1*, Mohd Firdaus Ariff Abdul Razak2 and Siti Khairani Bejo3 Case Report Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in Peninsular Malaysia is still widely distributed in the interior of the country in the following states: Pahang, Perak, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Negeri Sembilan, which probably Pahang has the largest population (Choudhury et al., 2008).

Animals in captivity including Asian elephant prone to problems that include poor health, repetitive stereotypic behaviour and breeding difficulties (Clubb and Mason, 2003). National Elephant Conservation Centre, Pahang was established by The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). The centre is a base for the elephant relocation team. The centre also carries out public awareness activities related to the conservation issues of elephants in Malaysia. It also supports research activities on elephant translocation and conservation. The present paper reports the incidence of Mucor spp infection in a 34 year-old female captive Asian elephant in Pahang, Malaysia. It caused a white spot at the hair follicle area on the skin (Figure 1), some area with crusts and some of the fall-off crusty lesion showed volcano-like lesion (Figure 2). The lesion extend from dorsal to lateral part of body bilaterally and upper legs. The elephant had slightly dropped in body condition and appetite as observed by mahout. Deep skin scrapings collected from the affected skin were cultured onto 6.5% Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) plates.

Inoculated plates were incubated at room temperature for 4 days. Mucor spp was confirmed by macroscopic observations and pure culture were isolated. The colonies were characterized by the relatively rapid growth of aerial cottony-like mycelia height of several centimetres grayish brown in colour that covered the whole plate in about 4 days (Figure 3).

Figure 1.

Mucor is a filamentous fungus found in soil, plants, decaying fruits, vegetables and dung of many herbivorous animals (Michelle, 2010; Bell, 2005). Mucor spp may cause infections in man, frogs, amphibians, cattle, and swine (Larone, 1995) and well known for its low virulence and for causing disease only in severely immune compromised humans and animals (Ribes et al., 2000). Syndrome of Mucor spp infection is called zygomycosis because the ability to invade blood vessel. The syndrome includes cutaneous and rhinocerebral infections, septic arthritis, dialysis-associated peritonitis, renal infections, gastritis and pulmonary infections (Ribes et al., 2000; Stringer and Ryan, 2000; Adam et al., 1994).

References Choudhury, A., Lahiri Choudhury, D.K., Desai, A., Duckworth, J.W., Easa, P.S., Johnsingh, A.J.T., Fernando, P., Hedges, S., Gunawardena, M., Kurt, F., Karanth, U., Lister, A., Menon, V., Riddle, H., Rübel, A. & Wikramanayake, E. (2008). Elephas maximus. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Version 2010.4. www.iucnredlist.org.

Clubb, R. and Mason, G. (2003). Animal welfare captivity effects on wide-ranging carnivores. Nature 425(6957): 473–474.

Bell A. (2005). An illustrated guide to the coprophilous Ascomycetes of Australia.CBS:Biodiversity Series 3. 173 pp.

Michelle, C. (2010). Mucor sp. Mold of the Month April 2010.

Version 2010. www.qualtestusa.com/files/April_2010__Mucor_sp.pdf.

Larone, D. H. (1995). Medically Important Fungi - A Guide to Identification (3rd ed). ASM Press, Washington, D.C. Adam, R. D., Hunger, G., DiTomasso, J. and Comerci, G. Jr. (1994). Mucormycosis: Emerging prominence of cutaneous infections. Clinical Infection Disease 19: 67-76.

Ribes J.A., Vanover-Sams C.L., Baker D.J. (2000).

Zygomycetes in human disease. Clinical Microbiology Reviews 13: 236-301.

Stringer, S. P., and M. W. Ryan. (2000). Chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis. Otolaryngol Clinics of North America 33: 375-387.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

1

Tutor, Dept. of Vet. Clinical Studies, 3 Associate Prof., Dept. of Vet. Pathology & Microbiology Faculty of Vet. Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. *azlancheamat@gmail.com 2 Veterinarian, Ex-situ Conservation Div., Dep. of WL & Natural Parks Peninsular Malaysia, KM 10 Jalan Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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World Environment Day 2011-Education Reports Regional Museum of Natural History, Mysore conducts Nature Camp during World Environment Day We received ZOO’s WED educational materials and used all the materials for our programmes on World Environment Day 2011. A Special Nature Camp was organised by the NMNH, New Delhi through the Regional Museum of Natural History, Mysore for the children with Hearing Impaired during 4 – 7 June 2011 at the Bannerghata National Park, Bangalore.The Special Nature Camp was inaugurated by Shri Jairam Ramesh, the Honourable Minister of State (independent charge) for Environment & Forests, Government of India on 4.6.2011 at the Institute of Wood Science & Technology. Dr. A. Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP, Shri Hem Pandey I.A.S., Joint Secretary, Dr. G.V. Subramanyam, Adivisor, MoEF, Dr. S.C. Joshi IFS, Director, IWST and Dr. B. Venugopal, Director, NMNH were present.

Honourable Minister Shri Jairam Ramesh at the tree planting session

Twenty-five children with Speech/ Hearing impairment participated in this Special Nature Camp from South India (Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu).

The participants were introduced to various attractions in the Bannerghatta National Park such as zoo, museum, Reptile Park, butterfly park, children’s corner and trekking available in the Park. The camp was arranged with the help of All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysore.

The Regional Museum of Natural History, Mysore observed World Environment Day 5 June 2011 at the Museum Auditorium along with valedictory function of the summer vacation Programme. Dr. Javeed Nayeem, Director, Bibi Ayesha Hospital, Mysore was invited as the Chief Guest and Dr. T. N. Manjunath, Faculty, Government Ayurvedic College, Mysore was invited as a Guest Speaker in this occasion. Green Teens, a Summer Vacation Programme for teenagers was organised in the Museum from 2-12 May 2011. Nearly 15 students were participated in the programme. Also Green Cubs, also a Summer Vacation Programme for Junior children was organised in the Museum from 18-30 May 2011. We acknowledge all the sponsors, who helped to prepare the WED Kit for the children.

Submitted by: C. Rajasundaram, Scientist D, RMNH, Mysore. Email: rmnhmysore@gmail.com

Honourable Minister Shri Jairam Ramesh interacting with students during tree planting

Students participated in World Environment Day programme at Nahan, HP

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and community members conducted at Sagar Island, Sundarbans on 4-5 June 2011 with the materials received from Zoo Outreach Organisation. Students of Class VII & VIII from Phulbari Sitala High School, Phulbari and Vivekanada Vidyaniketan High School, Sibpu, participated in this programme. The primary objective was to find the possibilities of working together on some pilot projects on adaptation to climate change at Sagar Island with a view to achieve ‘Community Development through Schools’ (CDTS).

Immediate objective is to involve the rural students so as to participate in global environmental movements keeping the local needs in mind.

Installation of Solar Led lamp training is given to the students and community people at Sagar Island, WB

Students of P.K.Ray Memorial Rural Study Centre, Sagar Island with illustration depicting environmental hazards

Nahan Forest Division, HP celebrates World Environment Day World Environment Day was celebrated at Nahan, Himachal Pradesh with active cooperation from the Environment Society Nahan, Deputy Commissioner Nahan, SP Nahan and various schools of Nahan District on 5th June 2011. During the week from 4-6-2011 to 10-6-2011 various programmes were organised with active participation of school children.

Declamation contest, Quiz competition, Prabhat pheri, cleaning on water bodies, Environment oath was organised during the week. The materials i.e. Poster, A-Z pamphlet and stickers were highly appreciated by everyone. Pamphlets were also given to school children during various

competitions in the schools. All participants were informed about the sponsors of the education materials.

Everybody praised ZOO, WILD, SAZARC, WAZA and UNEP for providing excellent educational materials and their effort in supporting a noble cause of environmental conservation. We look forward to cooperation from all in future also. Submitted by: Harsh Vardhan Kathuria, DFO, Nahan Forest Division, HP. Email: harshoney@gmail.com World Environment Day celebrated at Sagar Island, Sundarbans by PUPA, Kolkata An activity oriented awareness programme on World Environment Day involving school students, parents

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It is also aimed to select some students who may be designated in the long run as the “YOUNG GREEN CHAMPIONS OF SAGAR ISLAND”. The following activities were conducted; Interaction with students: i) Informed the students about the current environmental problems, particularly Climate Change related issues and motivating them in some local actions ii) Selection of leaders (group of students) who will be motivated and given responsibility of continuing the activities in future. Interaction with the Community members: Interaction was made with the parents (mainly mothers) of the selected students keeping local environmental problems in mind. A drama was staged by the students of the Village Kachuberia (Phulbari Sitala High School), facilitated by Ms. Bipasyee Ghosh, International Climate Champion of BCL, informing the environmental problems of their own village. In drawing competition, a total of 45 Children of P.K.Ray Memorial Rural Study Centre, Sagar island (Class IVVI) were involved. Training and Installation of Solar Led lamp were conducted and it is donated by Rotary Club of Calcutta MidCity. At the end saplings were distributed among the students of STUDY CENTRE, PUPA. Acknowledgements: We are thankful to the following organization for various supports: Zoo Outreach Organisation, Wildlife Information Liaison Development, SAZARC, WAZA, International Climate Champion, British Council, Kolkata, Rotary Club of Calcutta Midcity, Sundarban Gramin Bikash Kendra, Sagar Island, Phulbari Sitala High School and Vivekanada Vidyaniketan High School, Sibpur.

Submitted by Dr. Amales Misra, PUPA, Kolkata, WB. Email: amargram_pupa@rediffmail.com

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Pitchandikulam Forest conducted awareness programmes during WED We conducted awareness programme on the World Environment Day in 9 schools at Nadukuppam Panchayat. All our environment teachers utilised your posters and post cards for these programmes through stories, drama and some local games. Students have learned the importance of conservation, ecosystems, save the water and electricity, not to use the plastic bag etc. Some students planted trees at their home gardens. Thanks for your support to promote the environment awareness programme through your education materials. They are very powerful in the classroom among the children of our village schools. Our teachers are also appreciating your materials.

Particularly this month there is no formal teaching from the Govt side, so we use your materials for all our outreach schools. Submitted by: Mr. Lourdes, Env.Edu. Coordinator, Pitchandikulam Forest, Auroville.

Email: lourdes@auroville.org.in WWF (J & K) World Environment Day Programmes World Environment Day was celebrated on 2 June at Kud Patnitop where more than 25 schools and 200 students from Chennai education zone participated.

On 3 WED was organized at Khoon village in Majalta Tehsil on the theme role of Panchayats in Forest and Environment Protection. About fifty Panchayat members attended the function. Tehsildar Majalta and Chairperson WWF-India delivered lectures. On 5 June, an Environment Rally was organized by the WWF-India and Department of Environment from Stadium ground to Gandhinagar on Cycles and roller skates. Inspector General of Police and Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu were the chief guests. About six schools and 250 students took part in the rally. ZOO education materials were used in these programmes for the students and ecoclub members. In addition, WED posters were given to 13 schools and colleges who organized WED in their school premise and also Chief Education Officers of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts for using in their WED programmes.

WWF-India State office J&K is grateful to Zoo Outreach Organization for supplying resource materials.

Submitted by: Dr. C.M.Seth, Chairperson, WWF (J&K). Email: drcmseth@rediffmail.com

Nadukuppam students are explained about threatened animals on the WED poster

Shangrila HS School, Jammu students with placards and WED posters

Students and citizens of Jammu are participating in Green Rally

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Students are very keen in reading WED posters

Youth Club members performing drama on frog conservation at Mysore Zoo

Special Report on World Environment Day 2011 from Mysore Zoo This zoo has celebrated the World Environment Day on 6/6/2011 and awareness programme in collaboration with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and Tata Docomo were organized. About 6000 members have participated in the rally and the rally was inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner. The rally was culminated near the zoo, and the participants were allowed to visit the zoo. The valedictory function was presided by Sri M. Nanjundaswamy, Chairman, Zoo Authority of Karnataka and Sri Niranjan, Senior Environment Officer, Pollution Control Board, Sri K.B. Markandaiah, the Executive Director of Mysore zoo, and Sri Manjunath represented the Tata Docomo, were on the dais. Sri Niranjan has highlighted the importance of the World Environment Programme, objectives and theme for this year and the importance of creating awareness on this occasion to the gathering. The winners in bird identification, drawing and quiz competitions were given prize.

UNEP World Environment Day related education materials provided by Zoo Outreach Organisation were used to full extent by Youth Club students of 2011-12 batch at the Mysore zoo. A number of topics related to the environment were discussed and debated upon. Frog’s species' vulnerability to extinction and related conservation measures were the highlight of the day. Also very importantly the vitality of the forests to human existence was debated upon and hence enriched was the knowledge of the Youth Club members to a great height with the theme of the World Environment Day 2011 being FORESTS: NATURE AT YOUR SERVICE. Each student was provided with a poster, pamphlet, sticker and the pack of goodies based on W.E.D. The day began with a class on Amphibians and Reptiles - their importance and need for conservation by one of the resource persons. The participants were taken through the world of amphibians and reptiles and got acquainted with their life and existence and the harms to it. They also were acknowledged regarding the various species that exist round the world.

Posters sponsored by DOCOMO released at the Mysore Zoo function

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Later on, the students were asked to go through the information in the material that was provided to them regarding WED. They were enriched with the facts regarding the usage and importance of forests for the ecological balance and very essential and pivotal

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for the inhabitance of humans and their survival and quality of life and thus the need for their conservation and not just forest but the intensity for preserving the flora and fauna.

The students were divided in to three groups and were given the topic of Amphibian Conservation. They had to created a skit directed and choreographed by themselves in accordance to the topic. The outcome was a brilliant performance communicating their ideology and thoughts out to the audience. One team brought out the life process and survival tactics of the frog beautifully making use of the masks and stickers that were provided to them. An explicit display of team work was exhibited by the second team and they brought out the Importance of frogs to human life and well-being and their diversity with the other team reaching out to full extent to the audience on the Conservation aspects of the frogs. The skit proved to be a helpful activity in

bringing out awareness in concern with environment and conservation. To end the programme, students stood in formation, forming a three-dimensional image of "W.E.D" when seen from a height and a pictures were taken of that assembly. In all it was a whole day dedicated to W.E.D that enriched the Youth Club participants in a wide range of ways especially in accordance with environment and the vitality for their conservation. Submitted by: Sri K.B. Markandaiah, Executive Director, Mysore Zoo, Email: zoomysore@gmail.com WED celebrated by Megamix Nature Club, Assam WED 2011 was celebrated by Megamix nature club in three remote locations of Dhakuakahan in Assam in the same day. To run the diverse kind of activities, Megamix nature club deputed 11 seniors to the three locations with educational materials and other accessories to involve the pupil and women. The venues were

Floating venue at Kolakota wetland, K K Girls H S School at Ghilamara and Gondhia High Shool. In the Kolakota wetland, activities related to environmental games, competitions, environmental wall magazine and mass conversations have been carried out by Mr Debojit Phukan, Dr Amal Ch Dutta and Mr Cheniram Baruah. In the 2nd venue popular talk on forest, wildlife and medicinal plants have delivered by Mr Sarbesawr Barua and Mr Digen Hazarika. In the 3rd place Mr Mriganabh Gogoi, Mr Prafulla Chutia and Mr Narendra Nath Dutta were there to begin the day by planting saplings and hoisting a 120 strength [pupil] environmental art competition and to end the day by delivering lectures and conversation on the topic of the WED2011. All the three events were packed with prizes of books, stickers, folders, leaflets and packets of Zoo Outreach Organsation, Coimbatore. Submitted by: Mr Debojit Phukan. Email: phukan.debojit@rediffmail.com

Wildlife Week 2011

Zoo Outreach Organisation’s Educator Network (ZEN) C/o Zoo Outreach Organisation, PO Box 1683, Peelamedu, Coimbatore 641 004 Tamil Nadu, India Phone: 0422 2561087; Fax 0422 2563269; Email: marimuthu@zooreach.org or zooreach@zooreach.org

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Wildlife Week has been celebrated every year in India from 1-7 October for the last 56 years.

For the past 26 years Zoo Outreach Organisation has helped zoos, forest divisions, NGO’s, museums, schools and educational institutions to celebrate this event by providing free educational materials.

This year’s wildlife week is unique because there are so many campaigns. There are three major campaigns, International Year of Forests (2011), Year of the Bat (2011-2012), and the UN Decade on Biodiversity (2011-2020).

In supporting these campaigns, ZOO will provide free educational materials on species of interest to in context with the three campaigns. The materials are designed to be used to support activity based learning. Educational research indicates that people of all ages remember things best if they are not just passively listening or given something to read. They remember if they are having fun, or are participating in a game or other activity, or if an emotional experience is connected with learning. That is why we supply packets with several items to be used in activities, instead of just facts in a booklet or handout.

ZOO and ZOO’s Educator Network (ZEN) can offer you some materials for Wildlife Week with species and conservation themes. Each packet contains items such as posters, booklets, masks, rakhis, etc. You can order up to 50 copies of each packet for a programme, if you send us a proposal indicating what you will do, whom and how many you will call, and how you will relate the contents to the event.

We will supply the material at no cost but you must reimburse us for postage and packing. Send us the filled in order form by 1 September 2011 using Speed post, Fax or email only. Please contact us at zooreach@zooreach.org for the order form. We look forward to your participation in the Wildlife Week celebration.

Sally Walker, R. Marimuthu and the ZOO Crew Zoo Outreach Organisation, ZOO

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Van Mahotsav at Kanpur Zoological Park K. Praveen Rao, IFS It is a festival of planting organised in the first week of July every year.

During this week several lakhs of saplings are planted all over India to mark the arrival of monsoon and make the people conscious regarding the environment. During the week importance of planting the trees is explained in detail to the audience at public places and forums. The trees are better known for the way they control soil erosion, improve ground water table, improve fertility of the soil, provide food, fruits fodder, timber, fire wood. The trees help in purifying the air and provide us the much needed oxygen and soak the green house gas like carbon dioxide. Many trees have medicinal values and also act as habitats for wild animals.

The first national level attempt for making people conscious regarding afforestation was undertaken by national leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Abdul Kalam Azad and along with many others in July 1947 in Delhi. In the early 50's this movement was renamed by late Shri K. M. Munshi, noted educationist and nature lover, during his tenure as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. Massive tree plantation drives were conducted with active involvement of the local population. With growingawareness of concepts of environment and ecological balance and environmental education introduced in school curriculum the Van mahotsav spread in to villages and towns. It is organised not just as a ritual is incorporated into daily protection of the saplings is done even afterwards.

In Kanpur Zoological Park Kanpur, Van Mahotsav is organised every year in the first week of July and this year on 3rd July, the van Mahotsav was organised in the zoo campus. The function was jointly organised by Kanpur Zoological park and Social forestry division, Kanpur. The function started with arrival of dignitaries and then NCC Cadets of 55 batallion UP gave warm welcome. P.K. Mohanty, has planted a Pipal (Ficus religiosa) sapling, Mr.Manoj sinha, has planted neem tree, and K.Praveen Rao has planted Pipal tree. Later the students, NCC Cadets, morning walkers, staff, media and other public moved to Chakor auditorium .The function started with Saraswati vandana with respects paid to goddess of vidya and gyan. Zoo Director welcomed the august gathering and he has thrown light on various activities that were taken up in the zoo in the last few years which fetched more turn out of

Mr. Praveen Rao, Director, Kanpur Zoological Park planting sapling

National Cadet Corps and other students participated in Vanmahotsav Day

public to the zoo. All are due to increase in green spaces in the zoo.

During the year 10-11 the public turnout was more than 5.3 laks.

Mr.Manoj Sinha, Chief Conservator of forests in his address stressed need of afforestation. Mr. P.K. Mohanty lauded the role of NGOs in spreading

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Number 8, August 2011

environmental consciousness. After the function came to an end but the

Conservator/Director, Kanpur Zoological Park, Kanpur, U.P. Email: kanpurzoo@gmail.com

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Debate competition as a Tool for Zoo Education at Dhaka Zoo: For the first time Dr. R. MD. Shakif-Ul-Azam Debate is a formal method of presenting arguments in support and against a given issue (expressed in a form of a debate topic) in which debaters present reasons and evidence to persuade an audience or a group of judges.

Like the other Zoo’s of the world, Zoo & Education center of Dhaka Zoo try to organizes various outreach programmes involving children, students, local peoples and visitors to create awareness towards wildlife conservation.. The main objectives of such outreach programmes help in sensitizing the students as well as the visitors towards environment, forest and wildlife conservation issues.

After the successful completion of the last program held on 10th December 2010 entitled “Banning polybags inside the zoo will help keep our wild animals safe”. Dhaka Zoo for the first time organized a debate competition. The programme started with a rally from Curator’s office. The Rally went round through out the Zoo with banner and announced the importance of healthy Nature, how it disturb, what its affects on wild animals & what initiative immedeatly needed to stop such distruction. The rally was presided over

by Dr. A. B. M. Shahid Ullah, Curator, Dhaka Zoo. Zoo Officers, journalist and Intern students from Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) and Hajje Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) worked together collaboratively for the programme.

For the debate competition Dhaka Zoo selected the following Topics: “Prakitik Biporjoy’e Bonnoprani Biluptir Akmattro Karon” (Natural disaster is solely responsible for the extinction of wild animals). As it was known that, choosing a good debate topic is one of the most important and yet also one of the most difficult tasks for debate organizers. A topic that will motive the audience to come to the debate.

According to Public debate toolkit, for selecting and wording a debate topic following criteria are importance: a) It should provide enough disagreement or pose a problem with many potential solutions. B) It should provide enough arguments and evidence for both sides in debate- the affirmative and negative. Most of the participants in the debate competition emphasized on the fact that how, why and what process the environment for the animals are destroyed and what are the harmful affects for such destruction in future.

Bibekananda Choudhury, Chief Judge of the debate giving his final remarks

Chief guest distributing prizes to the debate team members

Participants of the Debate Competition

MD. Shakif-Ul-Azam. Dhaka Zoo, Bangladesh. Email: shakif78@gmail.com

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Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organisation ZOO’s PRINT Publication Guidelines

Publication Information

We welcome articles from the conservation community of all SAARC countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other tropical countries if relevant to SAARC countries’ problems and potential.

ZOO’s PRINT, ISSN 0973-2543 Published at: Coimbatore Owner: Zoo Outreach Organisation, 9A Lal Bahadur Colony, Peelamedu, CBE 4

Type — Articles of semi-scientific or technical nature.

News, notes, announcements of interest to conservation community and personal opinion pieces.

Editor: Sally R. Walker Associate Editor: R.V. Sanjay Molur and Daniel B. Ayyachamy Managing Editor: Latha G. Ravikumar Editorial Assistant: R. Marimuthu

Feature articles — articles of a conjectural nature — opinions, theoretical, subjective.

Case reports: case studies or notes, short factual reports and descriptions.

News and announcements — short items of news or announcements of interest to zoo and wildlife community Cartoons, puzzles, crossword and stories Subject matter: captive breeding, (wild) animal husbandry and management, wildlife management, field notes, conservation biology, population dynamics, population genetics, conservation education and interpretation, wild animal welfare, conservation of flora, natural history and history of zoos. Articles on rare breeds of domestic animals are also considered.

Source: zoos, breeding facilities, holding facilities, rescue centres, research institutes, wildlife departments, wildlife protected areas, bioparks, conservation centres, botanic gardens, museums, universities, etc. Individuals interested in conservation with information and opinions to share can submit articles ZOOS’ PRINT magazine.

Manuscript requirements: Articles should by typed into a Word format and emailed to zooreach@zooreach.org. Avoid indents, all caps or any other fancy typesetting. You may send photos, illustrations, tables.

Articles which should contain citations should follow this guideline: a bibliography organized alphabetically and contain ing all details referred in the following style : surname, initial(s), year, title of the article, name of journal, volume, number, pages.

Editorial details: Articles will be edited without consultation unless previously requested by the authors in writing. Authors should inform editors if the article has been published or submitted elsewhere for publication.

Zoo Outreach Organisation Trust Committee and Sr. Staff Managing Trustee: Sally R. Walker Chairman Trustee: R. Nandini Executive Director Trustee: R.V. Sanjay Molur Finance Director Trustee: Latha G. Ravikumar Scientist: B.A. Daniel Researcher: R. Marimuthu Other staff: B. Ravichandran, R. Pravin Kumar, K. Geetha, S. Radhika, Arul Jagadish, K. Raveendran, S. Sarojamma ZOOs’ PRINT magazine is informal and newsy as opposed to a scientific publication. ZOOS’ PRINT magazine sometimes includes semi-scientific and technical articles which are reviewed only for factual errors, not peer-reviewed.

Address: Zoo Outreach Organisation Post Box 1683, Peelamedu Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 004, India Phone: +91 422 256108 Fax: +91 422 2563269 E-mail: zooreach@zooreach.org Website: www.zooreach.org, www.zoosprint.org