Zoos Print Magazine December 2011

Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organisation Vol. XXVI No. 12, December 2011

ISSN 0971-6378 (Print); 0973-2543

Small Mammal Field Techniques Training, 10-14 November 2011, Thrissur, Kerala, See Pp. 13-15 for the report

Date of Publication: 21 December 2011

Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organisation Vol. XXVI No. 12, December 2011

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

Contents ‘Language and Technique’ for popular wildlife science (Extracts from a first person account of life and experience) Lala Aswini Kumar Singh, Pp. 1-3 Southern Purple-faced leaf Langur (Semnopithecus vetulus vetulus) – a new colour morph Madura A. De Silva, Nadika C. Hapuarachchi and P.A. Rohan Krishantha, Pp. 4-7 Project MOSI briefing notes (August 2011) An international zoo and wildlife park initiative to monitor the effects of climate change on mosquito species range spread, activity periods and behaviour, Pp. 8-12 Small Mammal Field Techniques Training, Thrissur, Kerala B.A. Daniel and P.O. Nameer, Pp. 13-15

A mini drama performance on rescuing elephants, See Pp. 16-17

Educator Training in Human Elephant Coexistence in Thailand, B.A. Daniel and R. Marimuthu, Pp. 16-17 British Conservationist, Belinda StuartCox, awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire OCB for outstanding service to conservation in Thailand, P. 18 Outings with Hoolock of Delo, Dr. Jikom Panor, Pp. 19-20 Announcements The 1st International Gibbon Husbandry Conference, “The Great Lesser Ape, P. 21 National Level Hands-on Training Workshop on Principles and Practices of Animal Taxonomy, P. 23.

International Conference on Entomology, P. 29 National Conference on 'Biodiversity Assessment, Conservation and Utilization', P. 31 Technical articles Estimation of Zoonotic Tuberculosis in Captive spotted Deer, S.D.Budhe, A.M.Rode, N.P.Dakshinkar, G.R.Bhojane and M.M.Pawade, Pp. 22-23 Chemo-Therapeutic management of foot abscess in female Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), S.K. Tiwari and Deepak Kumar Kashyap, P. 24 Birds of Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Central India, Tharmalingam Ramesh, Natarajan Sridharan, Riddhika Kalle, Pp. 25-29 Hybanthus puberulus M. Gilbert.

(Violaceae) – A new record for India, Sasi, R., Sivalingam, R. and A. Rajendran, Pp. 30-31 Education Reports, Pp. 32-36

Southern Purple-faced leaf Langur - a new colour morph, See Pp. 4-7

Hybanthus puberulus M. Gilbert. (Violaceae) - A new record for India, See Pp. 30-31

‘Language and Technique’ for popular wildlife science (Extracts from a first person account of life and experience) Lala Aswini Kumar Singh* Simple tools and easy interpretations can help a lot for popularizing science, particularly when it is in the kind that is off the main academics. Here are a few experiences, innovations and lessons under Crocodile Conservation Scheme and Project Tiger which are two nation-wide projects for scientific management of wildlife resource.

Field practices in these projects have largely been successful as the science of Wildlife Conservation has been explained and implemented with appropriate range of field-languages and techniques suitable for various levels. It has been done with (a) the staffs at the grass root level who strive to translate theoretical recommendations into field actions, (b) the local people who understand just the simple ways of the nature that has nurtured their character to use and protect the resources for generations, and (c) the students who wish that the Wildlife Science steers them through a meaningful career (d) The remaining public at large and the media are reached with the entire package of approaches.

Wildlife Management prescriptions are strongly directed and improved from experience and lessons learnt in the field. At least three other components which keep changing and interacting on each other also determine the course of management activities. These components are the (a) ecological factors influencing the habitat of wildlife species, (b) the changing or adaptive behaviour of wildlife species, and (c) eco-friendly accommodation of the demand and expectations of various anthropogenic elements. All these components have shaped the growth of the science of wildlife management.

Of late I fear, to a certain extent ‘Wildlife Management Practices’ is digressing away from the realities of requirements in the field. Instead of laying emphasis on indigenous innovations Wildlife Studies and Management are getting studded with experiments and recommendations applicable to wildlife from very different biomes in other parts of the globe. As a result, perhaps the Wildlife Science is heading to become an abstract science that is not a true refection of Indian natural history or wildlife biology. There is an increasing trend for applying techniques that appear to overshadow the management of ‘wild living beings’. Modern gadgets and statistical extrapolations should be used for improving interpretations and not as a matter of convenience to replace field rigours. It is misleading and dangerous to get satisfied with answers to everything out of very little field data.

One of the many reasons for this trend is rooted to a kind of infatuation reflected through dependency and over-use of virtual mathematical models. Computers and remote sensors are able to provide choice for studies without hazardous field camping. Another reason is the administrative and financial ease for experimenting in the field such costly products which are results out of scientific and industrial growth in the electronic sectors. These are fine as supplements that are short-lived enthusiasm for adding luster. These shouldn’t sacrifice the most established and familiar basics in natural history and wildlife biology.

A popular subject easily elicits public cooperation In 1952 the ‘Central Board for Wildlife’ was constituted as conservation of wildlife is an important, popular and widely advocated subject of importance for human survival. Later, the Board was renamed as the Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL) and now it is the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL),

with parallel Boards at the State level. The members of the Board are drawn from a wide range of public and professional profile. These members need to be told in simple terms what is all happening in the wildlife sector.

In accordance with recommendations of the Board we have celebration of the Wildlife Week, coinciding with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. At this time there are publicity through lectures, print and electronic media, film shows, guided nature tours, and essay competitions in schools and colleges. Other activities that popularise and educate different target groups about the Wildlife Science are ‘nature clubs’ in educational institutions, and the subject of environmental conservation in the syllabus adopted by the NCERT (National Council of Education Research and Training). The University Grants Commission (UGC) recommended for setting up of faculties on wildlife education in selected universities but the curriculum appears to have only a few takers. The North Orissa University runs a self-financing M.Sc., course in Wildlife Conservation and Management.

School students are the most receptive to conservation message During 1994-1997 we started to conduct a number of 3days long nature camps in Similipal Tiger Reserve. There were different participant groups,--- the undergraduate students, college faculties, members from the civil society with various professional profiles, and the school students.

The purpose was to give a type of once-in-lifetime exposure in the forest, and demonstrate the various wildlife conservation tools and techniques including studying of tracks and signs. The significant lesson for the management was that the High School children constituted the best target group as these were receptive as well as meaningfully responsive.

The language of interaction and the curriculum of a nature camp were very carefully drawn up. Every part of their time during trekking or discussion gave the participants guided orientation and information. The forest guards, foresters, range officers and watchers were very enthusiastic during those days when they could share their life and experience in the forest with wildlife. The language for communication of the art and science of wildlife conservation was simple, interesting and adventurous for the staff and their audience.

I have seen, some of the children (students) becoming emotional before the staff when it was time for departure from the forest.

Successful conservation and research go hand-inhand ‘Successful conservation and research go hand in hand’.

That was the dictum of approach in crocodile conservation programme launched in 1974-75, and it showed the approach for other wildlife conservation projects. There were two main conservation projects in India during 1970s and 1980s. The approach for handling research was different in the beginning. Fresh pass outs from Universities were selected for crocodile conservation work. But in Tiger Reserves the Field Directors handled research initially.

Later, Research Officers worked under concerned Protected Area managers or the Chief Wildlife Wardens.

* Former Senior (Wildlife) Research Officer, Government of Orissa. laksinghindia@gmail.com

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The scientific personnel involved in crocodile conservation programme, project tiger and other wildlife conservation activities in situ and ex situ have produced the bulk of information and literature available today about the target species and the activities for conservation and management. Administration has come to recognize that research personnel form the assured base for access to information. Most often these research persons carry out most of the interpretation work for a project. Special Projects like that for vulture breeding is awaiting a suitable research person to remain in charge of it.

Grooming authors who work and write My professor from University days, Professor B. K. Behura says research is incomplete without a publication. Yes, unless observations are published, a new researcher joining at some later stage wastes days or years in rediscovering what is already known. At this stage come the aspects like authorship of an article or a research paper, and the choice for a journal.

Considering the actual role of a researcher and the need for sustainability of the pursuit for popularization of scientific research, authorship has to be given due consideration.

Administrators or technocrats who adorn chairs for supervision need to be open hearted in giving credit. A scientist often works just for the shake of recognition!

I was recently writing my reaction in response to a blog about the not very happy experience for authorship status like first, second, third, etc. in a publication. The contention is about who will be the first author, and what order should be followed upto the last author. In scientific laboratories some kind of understanding seems to have prevailed. This is not true in non-research organisations, where the principal or prime researcher normally brings into his fold of confidence as many ‘authors’ as possible. At the end the authorship credit may appear to be a hierarchical testament under the title of the paper.

When it is a management prescription it is, however, a good idea to have that kind of authorship. People who matter get encouraged and also implement its advantages.

Nevertheless, I have also noticed that although I have many coauthors during the course of my 36 years of research, very seldom have they produced a technical publication even in their next posting. I have a notion that publication potential is everywhere and in every posting of a person.

During Post-Graduation it was training and, therefore, customary to follow the hierarchy or age-seniority in a research paper. I have taken the facts in that spirit. Things were different after M.Sc. In this context I must pay my tribute to one person– Dr H. R. Bustard, the FAO Consultant in India for Crocodile Conservation programme. The project started during 1970s, and there I started my professional career. Dr Bustard was the field guide and non-official Ph.D. guide for me. He had issued a circular very early about the principle to be followed for authorship of technical papers.

If it was equal contribution starting from an idea to experimentation or data collection and writing, the authorship was alphabetical, though Dr. Bustard had the alphabetical advantage over me. For other instances, depending on contributions the first authorship was shared among us.

That was a very healthy practice. Other co-researchers were also happy with that. It got flouted when I had to write with (for) others. Yet, I always expected, sometime somewhere somebody should bring my name to the first, or while giving a talk or powerpoint presentation at least used a ‘plural term’ to indicate that the analysis was done with

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others in the administrative set up. Very seldom did it happen, if it ever did. That sometimes hurts a field researcher, and it dampens the spirit of continuing the pursuit of writing for popularization of science!

Where should I publish my work!

The year of start, the international stature of the wildlife project and the locations for my field work were such that most of the observations were new and worth reporting or publishing. Out of over 250 write ups by me only about a dozen may be overseas publications. Others are in Indian journals but with overseas circulation. I always exercised my own choice and option for a journal. I have chosen the journal in such a way that the publication reaches the right audience or the right user.

When I am writing about a new technique which field foresters are to use, I choose Indian Forester which reaches all Divisional Forest offices of India and many desks overseas. When it is a biological note on an Indian species I have chosen the Journal of Bombay Natural History or Hornbill. When the observations or discussions have implications in captive management of animals in India I chose the Zoos’ Print. A very old time journal is Cheetal published by the Wildlife Preservation Society of India, Dehradun. These are very widely circulated and established journals for wildlife matter. The WWF Newsletters, the IUCN Specialist Group Newsletters and Sanctuary-Asia are some of the other publications for submitting write ups.

In those days, there was no ‘impact factor’ of a journal, and there was nothing like internet to browse and search. I had to build my own library. For the last four decades I have been carrying bulks of paper wherever I went. I came to know about impact factor when my daughter started publishing her work on nano medicines and discuss with me issues relating to it while selecting a journal for submission of papers. In modern days the ‘impact factors’ seem to be the basis for judging the scientific status of a scientist.

Inspired, I searched the net for any possible impact factor given to my journals, but no. My journals, although very special in their kind and used by field workers, had nothing like an impact factor. I am not aware, what exactly is the situation today. I cannot comment on medical science research, which has global implications. And the trend is changing in the world of research.

What I drive to say is that present-day wildlife scientists are competing to gather ‘impact factors’ through publication of their data overseas, but its utility is often lost to actual field level users. Therefore, where field research involves natural history or techniques for sanctuary management, one must not worry where the journal is published or what is it’s impact factor; but must think whether the contents of the writing reaches the field staff and field biologist who will benefit from this and shall not spend time in rediscovering what has already been discovered. They should instead carry the work ahead from the point where it is left at that moment. In this respect there should be a mention about the open access journals on the internet these days. These are very good, very quick, available on the net, and perhaps with some impact factors, if someone is bothered about it.

Institution Heads and Administrators who are assessing their wildlife scientists for promotion or a higher scale should not be fussy about the impact factor. Instead mechanisms should be devised to assess usefulness of the research in the field. Unless this is done, wildlife science will have a difficult road for poularisation.

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Field-translation of professional lessons from ingenous masters As a fresher in wildlife research I had the first opportunity to listen to Saroj Raj Choudhury when he explained near a stream along Tikarpada-Purunakote road on how to interpret hooves marks indicating stampede behaviour of a herd of spotted deer. The herd might have heard or sighted a predator, perhaps the tiger. Through that, Choudhury was giving the basic guidance on how a practitioner of wildlife research should remain alert for visual signs as well as smell and sound to make his field studies fruitful and safe.

During my work in the Mahanadi I had nearly six and a half years of field work with the help of Raja Behera and the team comprising his nephew Prafulla and son Amulya. All three were engaged as Gharial Guards at Tikarpada, as a strategy towards demonstrating ‘people’s involvement in crocodile conservation. Many other experienced persons like Narottam and Shiba joined as Gharial Guards later. All of them were boatmen and fishermen by profession. They were able to negotiate their narrow long wooden boat on the waters of Mahanadi along the downstream or upstream or in high flood with as much ease and comfort as they did it during low waters of winter and summer. I had my first lessons of rowing a boat from Prafulla and Amulya.

More important, from Raja and others I also learnt how to spot and confirm the sighting of a crocodile on water surface or on sand banks. Then, there were training sessions by Dr. Bustard on how to eye-estimate the length of crocodiles from a distance.

Those were initiations which kept me water-borne and study crocodiles. Rest of the happenings in my career demonstrated that indeed ‘necessity is the mother of invention’. I wanted to judge the size of the crocodile from just the portion of the head that remained surfacing on water or the various kinds of tale telling spoors of a crocodile that had basked on sand banks. Then I devised the methods for size estimation from body spoor. Similarly, was the invention of the technique to individually identify hundreds of crocodiles from their tail-scute colour pattern.

These are simple field techniques that keep the science accessible, usable and popular.

Field techniques have to be comprehensible in implementation and interpretation One of the major scientific activities in wildlife management is census of wildlife species, at least a few indicator or flagship species, which can indicate the condition or happenings in the entire habitat. The results of census attract the attention of the public, media and the concerned administration. Census results form an easy and direct access to the story of performance of the project on species conservation.

For every occasion of wildlife census in Similipal, about 25 participants from different parts of the state and a few from other states and even overseas join the staffs as non-official volunteers. They all belong to very different walks of life.

They are given orientation training about the method of census and the jungle-etiquettes. They live with Forest Guards or watchers in tree-top machans or Beat-Camps and carry out field work during the entire period of census.

Again, some of them come back for analysis and interpretation of data, and drawing of spatial distribution map of the species counted. For tiger and leopard they become conversant in pugmark tracking method and for elephants it is direct sighting.

A few of these participants have chanced into my office after several years and interacted with me. In these years some of them have reached new heights of career excellence but they continue to be passionate as before. They have expressed that the visit they had to Similipal has left a permanent impression in their mind and action. I feel that the level of interactions with them and the quality of data they handled were responsible for such lasting memory.

The Science of Wildlife Conservation has to be easy and understandable through simple biological explanations and the application of common logics.

Some lessons and guidelines There is no shortcut in Wildlife Science. It has to be backed with full quota of rigorous field exercises carried out locally in the heat or frost, soiled knees or knee-deep humus.

While popularising Wildlife Science some of the lessons learnt and that may form recommended guidelines are as follows.

• The staffs of the wildlife organization who implement the project in the field must feel themselves a part of the science that is in practice, and should be able to take pride in explaining the subject and the related activities hey are doing. These staffs include grass root level persons like the Forest Guards as well as Research Scholars who join with career ambitions.

• The people who live within the forest or its fringe who have already contributed a great deal of traditional knowledge, should be comfortable with the new tools and participate in various management actions directly or indirectly, with a sense of belongingness.

• The spectra of administrators, intelligentsia in the society, public representatives, media persons and other stakeholding organizations, who too play a substantial role in sustenance of pursuits linked with ‘Wildlife Science’ must understand the language of the science and be able to convincingly explain these to others in apropos of their own activities.

• In order to achieve the above objectives the Wildlife Conservation Project should have effective monitoring mechanisms.

Observing wildlife in natural conditions is not easy because wild animals have learnt to avoid threats or disturbances.

That is their strategy and adaptation for survival. The task is more difficult when ground vegetation is dense and high.

Determining the exact numbers of wild animals is a difficult technical requirement but has to be carried out with man power available within the Forest Department. By conducting the census the staffs get a first hand feel of the status of the animals inhabiting their jurisdiction, and have a sense of belongingness. Therefore, the technique has to be staff-friendly, something which they can understand, implement and interpret.

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Southern Purple-faced leaf Langur (Semnopithecus vetulus vetulus) – a new colour morph Madura A. De Silva, Nadika C. Hapuarachchi and P.A. Rohan Krishantha At one point in time, the Purple-faced leaf Langur had been placed in the genus Trachypithecus but after molecular analysis (Karanth et al.

2008) it was placed in genus Semnopithecus. Trachypithecus now belongs to the genus Semnopithecus.

Trachypithecus corresponds to leaf langurs of South East Asia. There are four subspecies inhabiting four distinct localities. They are Southern purplefaced leaf Langur Semnopithecus vetulus vetulus (Erxleben 1777) Montain purple-faced leaf Langur Semnopithecus vetulus monticola (Kelaart, 1850) Western purple-faced leaf Langur Semnopithecus vetulus nestor (Bennett, 1833) Northern purple-faced leaf Langur Semnopithecus vetulus philbricki (Phillips, 1927) The taxonomy of Purple-faced leaf Langur has been confusing as it was never given an accurate to thorough molecular scrutiny which led to many modifications in generic names.

Karanth et al. (2008) solved the problem by sequencing and analyzing the genetic features from a variety of leaf monkey species. This work supports clustering of Nilgiri and Purple-faced Langur with Hanuman Langur. Leaf Langurs (Trachypithecus) form a unique clade and phylogenetic studies indicate both Purple-faced leaf Langur and Hanuman Langur belong to Genus Semnopithecus. Their taxonomy will be further distinguished by genetic studies within the recognized subspecies and geographical variations in both Hanuman and Leaf Langurs.

Semnopithecus vetulus vetulus (Erxleben, 1777) Size moderately large, head and body about 494-542mm; tail length range 691-734mm, weight 5.5-9kg. Small, rounded head; short, narrow neck; small round and flat ears standing out from head (Phillip 1935). Body and limbs black with rid brown tint and mid-dorsal area slightly frosted white; lower back and sacral region with triangular silver-white rump-patch, sharply defined margins, extending down the tail and sides on thighs down to knees in some instances. Whiskers white or off-white, brownish at tips; throat pure white and hairs about the mouth also white; under-parts black; tail silvery-white on two or three inches adjacent to the sacral patch, the remainder mole-grey, sometimes

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Dist); Wakwella, Rumassala,

Fig. 1 Semnopithecus vetulus vetulus Black colour morph becoming reddish-brown towards the tip. Naked parts of the face, hands, feet pure black, eyes with golden brown iris (Phillip 1935). Among the National Museum primate specimen collection a pale coloured had catalog number 4G 20.11.1923, collected by W.W Philips from Matara District indicating colour diversity among Southern Purple-faced leaf Langur even in early 1900’s.

Southern purple-faced leaf Langurs inhabits both thick jungles and wooded home gardens. Observations made by the research team found the number of individuals in forest troops is lower than the number of individuals found in home gardens. The number of individuals per troop may vary from four to eighteen, living in treetops, descending to ground occasionally to get fallen fruit or to get to trees beyond their movement range. They carry their tails hanging down, instead of over their backs like Grey Langur.

Each troop has a favorite range and stays there mostly.

It has been recorded south of Kalu River to Ranna by Phillips (1935). Its upper inland limits are restricted to nearly 1,000m from sea level. It has been recorded at Akurassa, Kekunadura, Welihena, Dandeniya, Wattahena, Polgahaivalakande, Krindi Mahayayakele, Kalubowitigana, Deniyaya, Diyadawa, Dediyagala, Kanumulderiya, Matara, Weligama, Pitabeddara, and Gongala (Matara

Fig. 2 Semnopithecus vetulus vetulus Galanthus colour morph Baddegama, Unawatuna, Galle Fort, Richmond Hill, Udugama, Yakkalamulla, Galle, Hiyare, Alpitiya, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa, Pitigala, Sinharaja, Kanneiya, Kottawa, Lankagama, and Habraduwa, (Galle district); Masmullah, Matugama, and Anasigalla (Kalutara district); Bambarabotuwa, Delgoda, Delwala, Denihena, Weddagala, Walankanda, Kudawa, Rakwana, Morahela, Hadapan Ella, Suriyakande, Ratnapura, Kribatgala, and Samanala Wewa (Ratnapura district) (Philips 1935; WCSG 2010). (Map 1) The WCS Galle primate research team carried out research on distribution, feeding ecology and behaviour of Southern Purple-faced leaf Langur since 2007. This included tracking and recording distribution using GPS locations, feeding behaviour, food selection and social interactions of the troops. We observed 26 troops from rainforests and home gardens in Galle and Matara Districts during the study.

Our team observed more than 30 primates with unusual white colour morph in 14 troops. During the research all troops were given a troop number (e.g. T7) and all individuals were given an ID consistent with the troop number including a unique number to identify each individual Wildlife Conservation Society – Galle Biodiversity Research and Education Centre, Hiyare Reservoir, Hiyare, Galle Sri Lanka. Email: hapuoo7@yahoo.com

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Conservation Issues Globally a third to half of all primate species are threatened due to habitat destruction and over-exploitation (Mulu 2010). Developments in agriculture and irrigational strategies, along with an increase in human settlements, have caused damage to areas of Sri Lankan rainforest for decades (Erdelen 1988). Consequently, much of the rainforest is fragmented and troops that inhabit home ranges bordering human districts inevitably exploit agricultural land for food sources. Conflict in Southern areas may alter perceptions of the Purple-faced leaf Langur, currently considered as a pest in the more populated Western province, where it is the most common primate (Dela 2007; Rudran 2007) Semnopithecus vetulus vetulus inhabit the same space with humans in periurban and rural areas. They struggle to survive on stolen garden fruits and tree leaves in and surrounding homes.

Map 1. Distribution of troops having the Galanthus colour morphs

Many trees are removed as villages enlarge gardens and larger cultivated areas are expanded. This leave many open areas that have to be crossed over, and the Langurs in that area are highly vulnerable. They then have to travel on the ground or on telephone and electrical wires, both options are often deadly; they are killed by dogs, traffic accident and electrocution (Fig. 7). However, most Sri Lankans are often tolerant owing to religious and cultural beliefs, which respect other forms of life, leaving habitat loss as the most fundamental threat. Although habitat loss is manageable, when whole forests are removed, the species in that habitat will not survive. Fragmentation occurs when forested areas are divided for plantations,

within the troop (e.g. T5I7 is the seventh individual of fifth troop). There is no evidence to suggest full albinism of Galanthus (Etymology: Named for its white body colour, Galanthus = Snow white) forms due to following reasons: - All white individuals had black naked parts of the face.

- None of the white individuals had red eyes.

- All of the white individuals had beige to ashy brown crown hair.

- T4 troop had a white coloured alpha male.

- Face of T3I1 showing the black naked part of the face and the eyes.

Individuals with Galanthus colour morph were observed among 14 troops mainly from rain forest and rain forest associated habitats. The maximum ratio of individuals of the Galanthus morph to the normal morph was 4:6 (Troop ID: T4). This includes adults, juveniles and infants of both sexes. The alpha male of the troop T4 was a Galanthus male. (Fig.4 and 5) Galanthus colour morph Body and limbs white, sometimes with ashy patches, whiskers white or off-white, throat pure white and hairs about the mouth also white; under-parts pinkish to yellowish white, tail white. Naked parts of the face and ears black, hands and feet pinkish yellow with black patches.

Eyes with golden brown iris and beige to ashy brown crown hair.

The number of individuals with a white coloured coat is extraordinary. This can be an indication of the difference between the rain forest troops and the surrounding non-rainforest troops of Purple-faced leaf Langurs. Determination of genetic or taxonomic differences among the sub-species of these Langurs requires molecular and morphological studies, which the primate research team of WCSG is hoping to carry out in the feature.

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Fig. 3 Mother and infant

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roads, industry or urban expansion.

Some individuals will be lost and some will survive in smaller areas but separate from their relatives.

Individuals with Galanthus colour morph were mainly observed among the troops inside rain forest and rain forest associated habitats. Most of these rain forests are adjoining to commercial lowland tea plantations and tea small holders, therefore a major issue related to the Galanthus colour morph is encroachment of rain forest by tea cultivations.

Fig. 4 Adult female

Conservation Measures Although the Purple-faced leaf Langur is protected by Sri Lankan law and categorized as Endangered by IUCN (IUCN Red List 2011) it faces uncertain future if national policies are not actively implemented to ensure the species is protected. Policies and institutions need to ensure protection by fines, research, co-operation with urban planning and strict borders to reserves with surveillance. Forests, wildlife, environment, agriculture, and urban planning all fall into different ministries that rarely cross reference issues of preservation and protection of flora and fauna. Qualitative and quantitative data on existing species is needed for the whole island.

Systematic DNA testing is needed to determine subspecies and form accurate maps of locations and where groups are isolated and gene pools are narrowed. Individual numbers, breeding records, and mortality rate will help determine how stable the populations are and where the greatest efforts are needed to ensure preservation.

Fig. 5 Alpha male

Workshops and regional cooperation will help highlight issues to the general

Fig. 6 School children engaged in plantation

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public and create awareness. The striking white color morph will also hopefully provide an iconic image for the reinforcement of the current conservational strategies employed, heightening awareness of the vast number of endemics on the island.

Village schools need programs to highlight the dangers of removing forests and importance of biodiversity.

Sri Lanka has very high biodiversity within the global picture and this is something people need to be proud of in order to protect and keep their rank as one of the most special places on earth.

Education programmes for schools children and general public Five education programmes were organized for school children and public, highlighting the importance of the Southern purple-faced leaf Monkey.

Local schools, farmers and public were encouraged to plant the food plants of the monkey (Fig. 6). The role of these primates on pollination and seed dispersal were explained to them.

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Dittus, W., S. Molur & A. Nekaris, (2008). Trachypithecus vetulus ssp. vetulus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 31 August 2011.

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European Federation of Primatology, Prague. Folia Primatologica 2008. 79 (5): 324-325.

Erdelen, W. (1988). Forest ecosystems and nature conservation in Sri Lanka. Biol. Conserv. 43: 115–135.

Eschmann, C., P.H. Douglas, L.P. Birkett, A. Gunawardene & K.A.I. Nekaris (2007). A comparison of calling patterns of purple-faced leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus vetulus vetulus and T. nestor) in Sri Lanka’s Wet Zone. European Federation of Primatology, Prague, p 19. Folia Primatologica 2008. 79(5): 326-327.

Eschmann, C., R. Moore & K.A.I. Nekaris (2008). Calling patterns of Western purple-faced Langurs (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidea: Trachypithecus vetulus nestor) in a severely degraded human landscape in Sri Lanka.

Contributions to Zoology 77(2): 57-65.

Hill, W.C.O. (1934) A monograph on the purple-faced leaf monkeys (Pithecus vetulus). Ceylon Journal of Science (Spolia Zeylanica) 19(1): 23 – 88.

Hinton, M.A.C. (1923). The nomenclature and subspecies of the Purple-faced Langur. Annals. Magazine of Natural History. 11: 506-515.

Karanth, K.P., L. Singh, R.V. Collura & C. Stewart (2008). Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of langurs & leaf monkeys of South Asia (Primates: Colobinae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution .46: 683– 694.

Kelaart, E.F. (1850). List of Mammalia observed or collected in Ceylon. Journal Ceylon Branch, Asiatic. Society. 2: 203-207.

Mulu, K.S. (2010). Are the endemic and endangered Tana River primates culprits of crop raiding? Evaluating Human – Nonhuman primate conflict

status around Tana River Primate Reserve, in Kenya. Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya.

Phillips, W.W.A. (1980). Manual of the Mammals of Sri Lanka. 2nd Revised Edition, Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka. pp. 117–127.

Phillips, W.W.A. (1935). Manual of the mammals of Ceylon. Colombo Museum, Ceylon. 373pp.

Phillips, W.W.A. (1927) A new Pithecus monkey from Ceylon. Spolia Zeylanica. 8(14):57-59.

Rudran, R. 2007. A survey of Sri Lanka’s endangered and endemic western purple-faced langur (Trachypithecus vetulas nestor).

Primate Conserv. (22): 139–144.

Note: This is a project report of primate research team, biodiversity research and education centre, Wildlife Conservation Society Galle (WCSG), carried out in the rain forests of southwestern Sri Lanka with the financial support of Nations Trust Bank.

Photo credits: Nadika Hapuarachchi, Rohan Krishantha, Krishan Wewalwala and Karen Conniff

Purple faced leaf Langur using telephone cables to cross the road

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Project MOSI briefing notes (August 2011) An international zoo and wildlife park initiative to monitor the effects of climate change on mosquito species range spread, activity periods and behaviour

Participating ISIS institutions illustrate the monitoring potential of the international zoo community Introducing Project MOSI In October 2010 the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), in concert with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Imperial College, agreed to develop a permanent international mosquito monitoring programme Project MOSI (Mosquito Onset Surveillance Initiative).

Utilising the unique monitoring potential of the world’s zoo and wildlife park networks, the core remit of this initiative is to monitor the effects of climate change on mosquito species range shift, activity periods and behaviour. Good progress has been made establishing new monitoring sites and, over the next 18 months, the programme aims to involve up to 60 zoos, wildlife parks and associated institutions around the world. Background information, involvement rationale and associated details are provided below.

The importance of studying mosquitoes A large number of mosquito species are principle vectors of a wide range of vector-borne diseases (human and avian malaria, dengue, West Nile encephalitis, elephantiasis and so on). All blood-feeding mosquito species use chemicals produced by their vertebrate host to locate them in order to have a blood meal essential for egg production. This “cocktail” of attractive odors produced by the host varies greatly from host species to host species and mosquitoes can be more or less attracted to them depending on their feeding preference (mosquito species can be mammophilic if they’re attracted by mammals; ornithophilic if attracted by birds; batracophilic when attracted by amphibians and so on).

In addition to its intrinsic biodiversity information value, monitoring mosquito species distribution, population abundance, activity periods and behavior (host preference, feeding and oviposition etc.) is essential for better protection of human and wildlife communities. Human, wildlife and disease vector communities establish an equilibrium over centuries of association. What might

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happen when vector species and their associated transmittable diseases experience more favorable conditions and are introduced or spread to new areas? To detect, study and effectively respond to such developments ongoing monitoring is vital.

Mosquitoes in a changing world Human activities have long influenced the distribution and behaviour of many mosquito species. Historically, this has largely been due to a combination of habitat alteration and the movement of goods and people. In addition to these ongoing influences, global warming has emerged as an important contributory factor that, on current trends, is set to become increasingly significant in lengthening activity periods and creating new colonisation opportunities with potentially serious human and wildlife health implications.

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is a good example of a species having its range greatly extended as a result of human activities. This forest-living, dendrophilic species (laying eggs in water-filled tree-holes) has spread around the world (predominately via used tyres and the tropical plant trade). It has established itself in cities where elevated temperatures and humidity and artificial water pools, combined with little or no predation or competition, have enabled it to thrive.

The tiger mosquito can transmit a number of pathogens such as, the West Nile Virus, Yellow fever virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, Dengue fever, and Chikungunya fever. Higher temperatures also allow parasites and diseases to live longer and consequently become more likely to complete their life-cycles (and transmission ability) even in previously inhospitable northern and high elevation regions. The 2007 Chikungunya fever outbreak in Italy demonstrates that the introduction of vector species, such as the tiger mosquito, can be followed by their associated transmissible diseases.

Another example is provided by Anopheles plumbeus. This dendrophilic European species has adapted to breed in a range of artificial breeding sites and as a consequence has

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Worldwide distribution of the tiger mosquito (Ades albopictus) in 2007. Blue denotes the natural range and green shows extent of known colonisation. greatly increased in numbers and area over the last few decades (Becker, 2003). Due to its aggressive biting behaviour and population increase, this mosquito has become a significant nuisance. Although endemic malaria has disappeared from Germany, travellers import approximately 1000 registered cases of malaria every year over the last decade. Two cases of autochthonous Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Germany with evidence for local transmission by indigenous Anopheles plumbeus were recorded in 2001 (KrĂźger, 2001).

Zoos and wildlife parks as valuable monitoring stations Zoos provide unique mosquito monitoring environments with large numbers of exotic host species, micro-habitats and shelters suitable for breeding and overwintering. Such situations provide an incomparable opportunity to study the behavior of mosquitoes offered with multiple choices of hosts and environments.

Exotic species in a zoo environment are exposed to local indigenous fauna, their vectors and diseases. Zoo animals are routinely screened for any sign of illness and new acquisitions are quarantined and monitored. This means that infection routes are invariably from local wild fauna to zoo animals. This makes zoos uniquely valuable local, regional and international health surveillance sites, providing advance warning to wildlife parks and human settlements of non-native mosquitoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s species introductions, population explosions and behavioral changes. Indeed, there is a significant history of valuable zoo based mosquito study and associated monitoring.

Wildlife parks provide remote monitoring areas that without such a surveillance programme would be unlikely to be regularly (if at all) monitored for mosquito species composition and activity patterns. This data can be very valuable for health management of the species in the parks and for nearby human settlements, again, providing advance warning of non-native mosquito species introductions, population explosions and behavioral changes.

The combined regional and global-scale monitoring potential of zoos, wildlife parks and their associated institutions is clearly tremendous. Utilising this potential is key to enabling any initiative of the scale of project MOSI to succeed. This programme will also greatly benefit other mosquito recording schemes and control endeavors.

Principle objectives of Project MOSI 1. Establish an international network of 60 permanent mosquito monitoring sites.

2. Confirm baseline species composition, abundance and activity profiles.

3. Continually monitor for changes in species composition, abundance & activity profiles.

4. Help clarify the impact of climate change on a large number of mosquito species.

5. Provide an early warning network for detecting movement of disease vector species.

6. Help efforts to evaluate and better control mosquito vector disease threats.

7. Help develop improved mosquito attractants and trapping methods.

Pilot study summary From 2005 onwards, monitoring of mosquito populations at ZSL London Zoo, in collaboration with Imperial College, has been undertaken by mosquito specialist Giovanni Quintavalle Pastorino with a focus on species composition, population abundance and seasonal activity profiles.

Different trapping methods have been tested (resting boxes, mosquito Magnet traps, ovitraps, gravid traps and Biogents Mosquitaire traps) to determine their relative suitability.

This has provided sufficient confidence for the cheap and easy to maintain Biogent Mosquitaire traps to be utilised as the standard monitoring trap for Project MOSI. Comparative trials (including the efficacy of different attractants) are continuing as part of the Project MOSI initiative and Giovanni is providing the specialist support role of specimen identification, training and generation of technical reports for the full programme.

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mosquito bites that would benefit from the added protection a trap provides).

• Weekly collection of mosquitoes trapped in the Mosquitaire and storage in a normal fridge (at around 4°C).

• Monthly postage of the collected specimens to ZSL in a labelled plastic tube with the date of collection and trap number.

Biogents Mosquitaire trap near zoo enclosure

Labeled tubes used to post specimens Giovanni Quintavalle Pastorino identifying specimens

Removable capture net at base of trap funnel What participating institutions derive from joining the programme • An additional practical measure to help protect sensitive species.

• Monthly up-date on species composition and population abundance via free identification of the collected samples posted to ZSL. • Real time feed-back on seasonal mosquito activity – enhancing possibility of rapid intervention to reduce population growth (using BTI larvicides for example).

• Integration of data from other surveillance sites to monitor regional and global changes in species distributions and behaviour with opportunities for advance warning of species range shifts and potential deeper investigation (at request of institution’s veterinary department) of local mosquito-vector disease cycles.

• A comprehensive annual report.

• At the discretion of each participating institution, sitespecific data can be either incorporated into wider research findings and collaborative publications or kept confidential.

• At institution’s discretion, support with undertaking the specimen identification role in-house.

• A novel and engaging opportunity for an institution to convey the practical significance of climate change and wider human impacts on disease vector species.

What’s required of participating institutions.

• Placement of a Biogents Mosquitaire mosquito trap in an appropriate site location (In zoos this is often near a bird enclosure or any other animal considered sensitive to

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Safety assurances Some assurances to allay any public relations concerns associated with a zoo or wildlife park participating in the monitoring programme: • Due to the wide range of potential host species, a zoo or wildlife park environment are among the least likely outside environments for people to be bitten by mosquitoes.

• The majority of mosquito species are active at times when these facilities are normally closed but in any case having mosquito traps on site reduces the incidence of being pestered by mosquitoes.

• The majority of mosquito borne diseases that might present in a zoo or wildlife park are non-human related.

• Mosquitoes found in the grounds of a zoo or wildlife park are invariably indicative of a wider local/regional presence. By establishing mosquito monitoring initiatives zoos and wildlife parks provide a valuable surveillance service for the local community and for the region’s effective wildlife health management.

• Participating in such initiatives constitutes an additional practical measure to protect our animals and local communities.

Costs and staff time involved in participating in the monitoring programme Other than the electricity cost of running the trap and monthly postage of specimens to ZSL the only notable costs involved in participating is the initial outlay for the Biogents Mosquitaire trap (approx €150), and replacement ‘sweetscent’ attractants (approx €210 a year per trap). The replacement attractant packs include spare trap nets at no additional cost. For a single trap, staff time involved in trap maintenance and specimen processing averages around 30 minutes a week.

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Sharing information As this permanent monitoring initiative will increasingly be filling significant knowledge gaps on mosquito species range status, activity and behaviour changes, an ongoing remit is to ensure that annual reports and significant developments are communicated to relevant organisations and agencies.

These include the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and IUCN’s Species Survival Commission.

For further information on any aspect of this programme please contact: Paul Pearce-Kelly, Chair WAZA/CBSG Climate Change Task Force (ppk@zsl.org) References and further reading Junhold, J & F. Oberwemmer (2011). How are the animal keeping and conservation philosophy of zoos affected by climate change? Int. Zoo Yb. 45 (1): 99-107 http:// onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.

1748-1090.2010.00130.x/abstract Khela, S & P. Pearce-Kelly (2011). An Iterative Reference List of Climate Change Science, Policy & Related Information. ZSL and WAZA/CBSG Climate Change Task Force. http://www.bioclimate.org/references/3382 Roiz, D., M. Neteler, C. Castellani, D. Arnoldi & A. Rizzoli(2011). Climatic Factors Driving Invasion of the Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) into New Areas of Trentino, Northern Italy.PLoS ONE 6 (4): e14800 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014800 http://www.plosone.org/ article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0014800 Fang, J. (2010). Ecology: A world without mosquitoes.

Nature 466: 432-434. doi:10.1038/466432a http:// www.nature.com/news/2010/100721/full/466432a.html McCarthy, M., M. Best, & R. Betts (2010). Climate change in cities due to global warming and urban effects.

Geophys. Res. Lett. Vol 37 L09705, doi: 10.1029/2010GL042845. http://www.agu.org/pubs/ crossref/2010/2010GL042845.shtml Paaijmans, K.P., S. Blanford, A.S. Bell, J.I. Blanford, A.F. Read & M.B. Thomas (2010). Influence of climate on malaria transmission depends on daily temperature variation. PNAS 107 (34): 15135-15139. http:// www.pnas.org/content/107/34/15135.short Barbosa, A. (2009). The role of zoos and aquariums in research into the effects of climate change on animal health. Int. Zoo Yb. 43 (1): 131 – 135. http:// onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.

1748-1090.2008.00073.x/abstract Chaves, L.F., C.L. Keogh, G.M. Vazquez-Prokopec & U.D. Kitron (2009). Combined sewage overflow enhances oviposition of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in urban areas. J. Medical Entomology 46 (2): 220-226. http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1603/033.046.0206 Bonilauri, P., R. Bellini, M. Calzolari, R. Angelini, L. Venturi, F. Fallacara, P. Cordioli, P. Angelini, C. Venturelli, G. Merialdi & M. Dottori (2008).

Chikungunya virus in Aedes albopictus, Italy. Emerg Infect Dis. 14 (5): 852-4. http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/ 14/5/852.htm Bradshaw, W.E., & C.M. Holzapfel (2008). Genetic response to rapid climate change: it's seasonal timing that matters. Molecular Ecology 17 (1):157 -166. http:// onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-294X. 2007.03509.x/abstract Enserink, M. (2008). A Mosquito goes Global. Science 320 (5878): 864-866. http://www.sciencemag.org/content/ 320/5878/864.summary Global Invasive Species Database (Retrieved 2008-08-21) 100 of the World's Worst Invasive

Alien Species. http://www.issg.org/database/species/ search.asp?st=100ss Kearney, M., W.P. Porter, C.K. Williams, S.A. Ritchie & A.A. Hoffmann (2008). Integrating biophysical models and evolutionary theory to predict climatic impacts on species’ ranges: the dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti in Australia. Functional Ecology 23 (3): 528-538. http:// onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.

1365-2435.2008.01538.x/abstract Pluskota, B., V. Storch, T. Braunbeck, M. Beck & N. Becker (2008). First record of Stegomyia albopicta (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Germany. Eur. Mosq. Bull.

26: S. 1-5. PDF 257 kb Angelini, R., et al. (2007). Chikungunya in north-eastern Italy: a summing up of the outbreak. Euro Surveill.12(47): 3313. http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?

ArticleId=3313 Confalonieri, U., B. Menne, R. Akhtar, K.L. Ebi, M. Hauengue, R.S. Kovats, B. Revich & A. Woodward (2007). Human health. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der Linden and C.E. Hanson, Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 391-431. http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/ wg2/ar4-wg2-chapter8.pdf Cuéllar-Jiménez, M.E. et al. (2007). Detectión de Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) en la ciudad de Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Biomédica 27: 273-279.

ECDC/WHO (2007). Mission Report -Chikungunya in Italy. http://ecdpc.europa.eu/pdf/071030CHK_mission_ITA.pdf Scholte, J.E. & F. Schaffner (2007). Waiting for the tiger: establishment and spread of the Aedes albopictus mosquito in Europe. Emerging pests and vector-borne diseases in Europe. Volume 1, herausgegeben von W. Takken & B. G. J. Knols. Wageningen Academic Publishers.

Tsetsarkin, K.A., D.L. Vanlandingham, C.E. McGee & S. Higgs (2007). A Single Mutation in Chikungunya Virus Affects Vector Specificity and Epidemic Potential. PLoS Pathog 3 (12): e201. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.0030201. http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/ journal.ppat.0030201 Derraik, J.G.B. (2006). A Scenario for Invasion and Dispersal of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in New Zealand. J. Med. Entomol. 43(1): 1-8. http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16506441 Romi, R., F. Severini & L. Toma (2006). Cold acclimation and overwintering of female Aedes albopictus in Roma. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc. 22(1): S. 149-151. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16646341 Devi, N.P. & R.K. Jauhari (2005). Habitat biodiversity of mosquito richness in certain parts of Garhwal (Uttaranchal), India. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 36 (3): 616-22. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16124427 Russell, R.C., C.R. Williams, R.W. Sutherst & S.A. Ritchie(2005). Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus -A Dengue Threat for Southern Australia? Commun. Dis. Intell. 29(3): S. 296-298. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ 16220868 Woodworth, B.L. et al (2005). Host population persistence in the face of introduced vector-borne diseases: Hawaii amakihi and avian malaria. PNAS 102 (5): 1531-1536. http://www.pnas.org/content/102/5/1531.full Derocher, E., Lunn, & I. Stirling (2004). Polar Bears in a Warming Climate. Integr. Comp. Biol. 44, 163-176. http://icb.oxfordjournals.org/content/44/2/163.abstract Gratz, N.G. (2004). Critical review of the vector status of 'Aedes albopictus'. Med. Vet. Entomo.l 18 (3): 215-227. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.0269-283X. 2004.00513.x/pdf

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Kutz, S.J., E.P. Hoberg, J. Nagy, L. Polley & B. Elki (2004). ‘Emerging’ Parasitic Infections in Arctic Ungulates.

Integr. Comp. Biol. 44 (2): 109-118. http:// icb.oxfordjournals.org/content/44/2/109.abstract Sutherst, R.W. (2004). Global Change and Human Vulnerability to Vector-Borne Diseases. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 17 (1): 36-173. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC321469/ Carrieri, M., M. Bacchi, R. Bellini & S. Maini (2003).

On the Competition Occurring Between 'Aedes albopictus' and 'Culex pipiens' (Diptera: Culicidae) in Italy. Environ.

Entomol. 32(6):1313–1321. http://www.bioone.org/doi/ abs/10.1603/0046-225X-32.6.1313 Mylène, W. (2003). Mosquitoes' resistance to insecticides: different species share the same mutation. http://www.cnrs.fr/cw/en/pres/compress/mosquitoes.htm Song, M., B. Wang, J. Liu & N. Gratz (2003). Insect vectors and rodents arriving in China aboard international transport. J. Travel Med. 10 (4): 241-4. http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12946302 Harvell, C.D. et al (2002). Climate Warming and Disease Risks for Terrestrial and Marine Biota. Science 296 (5576): 2158 – 2162. http://www.sciencemag.org/content/ 296/5576/2158.abstract Hay, S.I., J. Cox, D.J. Rogers, S.E. Randolph, D.I. Stern, G.D. Shanks, M.F. Myers & R.W. Snow (2002).

Climate change and the resurgence of malaria in the East African highlands. Nature 415: 905-909. http:// www.nature.com/nature/journal/v415/n6874/full/ 415905a.html Fontenille, D. & J.C. Toto (2001). Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse), a potential new Dengue vector in Southern Cameroon. Emerging Infectious Diseases 7 (6): 1066–1067. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC2631913/ Kovats, R.S. et al (2001). Early effects of climate change: do they include changes in vector-borne disease?

Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London B. 29 (356): 1057-1068. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1088500/ Gratz, N.G. (1999). Emerging and resurging vector-borne diseases, Annu. Rev. Entomol. 44: 51-75. http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9990716 Estrada-Franco, R.G. & G.B. Craig (1995). Biology, disease relationship and control of Aedes albopictus. Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC: Technical Paper No. 42. http://publications.paho.org/product.php? productid=313 Hanson, S.M. & G.B. Craig (1995). Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culcidae) Eggs: Field Survivorship During Northern Indiana Winters. J. Med. Ent. 32(5): 599-604. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7473614 O’Meara, F., L.F. Evans, A.D. Gettman & J.P. Cuda (1995). Spread of 'Aedes albopictus' and decline of 'Ae. aegypti' (Diptera: Culicidae) in Florida. J. Med. Entomol. 32 (4): 554-562. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ 7650719 Thaddeus, K. et al (1995). Avian Malaria Seroprevalence in Jackass Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) in South Africa.

The Journal of Parasitology, 81 (5): 703-707. http:// www.jstor.org/pss/3283958 Graczyk, T.K. et al (1994). Characteristics of Naturally Acquired Avian Malaria Infections in Naive Juvenile African Black-footed Penguins (Spheniscus demersus). Parasit. Res. 80 (8): 634-637. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ 7886030 Graczyk T.K. et al (1994). Maternal Anti-Plasmodium spp. Antibodies in African Black-footed Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) Chicks. J. Wildl. Dis. 30 (3): 365-371. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7933279

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Hornby, J.A. & T.W. Miller (1994). 'Aedes albopictus' distribution, abundance, and colonization in Lee County, Florida, and its effect on 'Aedes aegypti'. J. Am. Mosq.

Control Assoc. 10 (3): 397-402. http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7807083 Nishida, G.M. & J.M. Tenorio (1993). What Bit Me? Identifying Hawai'i's Stinging and Biting Insects and Their Kin. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu.

Clements, A. (1992). The biology of mosquitoes. 1: Development, Nutrition and Reproduction. London: Chapman & Hall.

Savage, H.J.M. et al (1992). First record of breeding populations of Aedes albopictus in continental Africa: Implications for arboviral transmission. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc 8(1): 101-103. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/1583480 CDC [Centers for Disease Control] (1989). Update: Aedes albopictus infestation United States, Mexico. Morb Mort Week Rpt 38: 445–446. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/ preview/mmwrhtml/00001413.htm Hawley, W.H. et al (1989). Overwintering Survival of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) Eggs in Indiana. J. Med. Entomol. 26(2): 122-129 http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2709388 Hawley, W.A. (1988). The biology of Aedes albopictus. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc. (Supplement) 1: 2-39. http:// www.citeulike.org/user/neteler/article/2836765 Forattini, O.P. (1986). Identification of Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) in Brazil. Revista de Saude Publica (Sao Paulo) 20 (3): 244-245. http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3809982 Means, R.G. (1979). Mosquitoes of New York Part I. The genus Aedes Meigen with identification to genera of Culicidae. Bulletin 430a. 221. p. Albany, NY: The State Education Department.

Bohart, R.M. & R.K. Washino (1978). Mosquitoes of California. Div. Agric. Sci. Univ. Calif. Berkeley, CA. Griffitts, T.H.D. & Griffitts, J.J. Mosquitoes Transported by Airplanes: Staining Method Used in Determining Their Importation , Public Health Reports (1896-1970), 46 (47): 2775-2782 Freeborn, S.B. & R.M. Bohart (1951). The mosquitoes of California Bull. Calif. Insect Survey.1 (2). Univ. Calif.

Press Berkeley and Los Angeles.

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Small Mammal Field Techniques Training, Thrissur, Kerala B.A. Daniel1 and P.O. Nameer2 ZOO/WILD and its networks CCINSA and RISCINSA organized five-days hands on training workshop hosted by Department of Wildlife, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University.

Thirty five bat and rodent researchers from India (Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh), Sri Lanka and Nepal attended this programme. Prof.

Paul Racey, Visiting Professor, Department of Exeter in Cornwall, Co chair, Bat Specialist Group of IUCN’s SSC, Dr. Mike Jordan, Senior Conservation Advisor, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Regional Chair IUCN SSC Reintroduction Specialist Group were the lead trainers. Dr. Sanjay Molur, ZOO, Dr. P.O. Nameer and Dr. N. Singaravelan handled sessions. This training was sponsored by Chester Zoo, Knowsley Safari Park, Columbus Zoo and Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, USA. During the inaugural, Dr. Nameer, College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, host of the workshop, welcomed the gathering. He said ‘this is an extremely important exercise, hands on training workshop in small mammals, that we will be having for the next five days. Small mammals are an important group of mammals because they constitute about 60-70% of mammalian diversity of the world. In spite of this, very little is known about them. ZOO is organizing training workshops on this since 2000 and organized training programmes in all south Asian countries and KAU is hosting for the second time. ZOO trained many researchers and they are generating small mammal information from all South Asian countries’.

Dr. Mohan Kumar, Dean, College of Forestry said ‘I hope this training will produce a critical mass of a research workers and Scientist in the area of small mammal conservation to work in South Asia and they carry forward the research for this neglected group of organism”.

Prof. Pushpa Latha, Registrar, KAU while inaugurating the workshop said that the importance of this training is very clear since every creature has a role in its ecosystem. Though small mammals constitute 60-70% of all mammals they are highly neglected.

From the time memorial we are worshiping some rodents eg Shrew, the vehicle of Lord Ganesha but still we

Dignatories on the dias during inaugural

Dr. Paul Racey setting up mistnet have many myths related to bats and rodents. This workshop will help to save the beautiful creature of nature.

Sally Walker, Founder CCINSA / RISCINSA and ZOO during her talk shared the history of these workshop series. She said, this kind of workshop started with the IUCN Red List exercise in India. ZOO was interested in Conservation Assessment and Management Plan workshop which is a creation of Dr. Ullie Seal who was the Chairman of IUCN SSC CBSG. In 1996 Government of India conducted Biodiversity Conservation Prioritization Project BCPP and as a part of it ZOO offered to help assess all the species of India. We divided species assessment

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in to seven workshops and one of the workshops was mammals. I learned that rodents and bats are the most species and actually there were very few experts we could call. Later after CAMP workshops ZOO started networks for lesser known groups and I started a network for Bats and rodents. We combined bat and rodents since bats can be studied during night time and rodents during day. We had this workshop combining Chiroptera and different rodents. Paul and Mike were

1 Scientist, ZOO, Coimbatore. badaniel@zooreach.org 2 Asst. Prof. Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala. nameerpo@gmail.com

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A session on rodent handling and sexing by Dr. Mike Jordan

small mammals, though they account for about 55% of the mammals of the world. Paul Racey, as an introduction to Volant small mammals gave a detailed introduction of bats with classification, general features, taxonomy, distribution ecology, feeding ecology etc. He added that first fossil bat was found 50MYa that belonged to Eocene period that had very long wings developed long ago. They already had echolocation. As on 2010 about 1124 bat species has been reported which accounts about 20% of mammals. There are still more to be described. Chiroptera is classified into Megachiroptera â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1 Family Pteropidae (old world fruit bats) and Microchiroptera â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 17 families. Some recent editors do not use mega and micro instead they use Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera based on molecular genetics data.

Field techniques: For non-volant different types of traps used for the study of rodents was explained.

During the training live and single capture traps of varying dimensions were used. All aspects of Sherman trap was explained including cost and trap maintenance. Other traps generally used for rodent work such as Wire mesh traps, multi-capture traps such as Uglan Traps were also discussed. With regard to Volant mammals different types of nets to survey bats such as mist nets. Harp nets, canopy nets, bat detectors, flick nets were explained. Foraging strategy of bats was explained.

Demo on dry skin preservation techniques by Dr. P.O. Nameer our resource persons for all our workshops. I feel that animals should not be mistreated. Our trainers teach us to treat the animals well. She thanked KAU for hosing this training for the second time.

Paul Racy expressed his happiness to be here after eight years. The last workshop was very successful that generated interest from mammal researchers from all over India. He also said that IUCN has many commissions and SSC is one of the commissions. Bat Specialist group is one of the SG of SSC. Priority of BSG is action planning for conservation priority. Action plans have 20 major recommendations. The current priority of BSG is to revise the action plans. It will be a web based plan and will be updated systematically.

Mike Jordon said it is a pleasure to be back to Kerala. This training has created scientists producing

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information about small mammals in India and South Asia. There is so much to be achieved to save this group of species.

Sanjay thanked Kerala Agricultural University, staff and students for their assistance in organizing the training.

He also thanked Knowsley Safari Park, Chester ZOO and Columbus zoo for their funding support and to CBSG as our mentor.

The programme started with selfintroduction by all participants. Please see annexure 1 for names of participants and their expectations.

As an introduction to small mammals, Mike Jordan spoke about biodiversity of non-volant small mammals of the orders rodentia, insectivora and scandentia. He stressed upon the disparity and the neglect that is being received by the

Demonstration on trap setting and mist nets: Entire evenings of all workshop days were utilized to set up traps or mist nets. The Sherman traps set was monitored periodically and trapped rodents were used to learn handling, species identification, sexing, marking weighing, age determination and breeding conditions of the species.

After marking the species were released back in the same location caught. During trap setting, details about preparation of the baits for setting the traps were discussed. The participants were divided into groups and were taken to the nearby plantation areas for the demonstration of setting of traps. A total of about 40 traps were set at different plantation areas. Similarly mist net setup was demonstrated in orchards with in KAU campus and the participants in groups learned to set up mist nets during evenings. Identification of habitats and sampling methodologies were discussed during demo practice.

Among non-volant mammals, Rattus rattus, Mus booduga, Bandicoota bengalensis, and among Volant

ZOOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

Dry skin preservation of small mammals: Maintaining voucher specimens are of great importance in taxonomy studies. Dry skin preservation help to retain the original colour and shape of the animal for a longer period and also the technique is very simple that require limited equipments like a pair of scissors and borax powder. P.O. Nameer demonstrated the dry skin preservation techniques of rodents (carding) for storage in the museum.

Animal handling: Welfare of animals is a very important component in research who may do not care for welfare.

The trainers explained about the welfare needs of the animal. Underlying principles in animal handling and restrain is that the same should be safe to the human as well as to the animal.

Pollination by rodents and bats: Interaction between animals and plants are mutualistic. Among mammals fruit bats and some mammals are pollinators. Frugivorous and nectarivorous bats pollinate and disperse seeds of hundreds of species of plants. Dr. N. Singaravelan gave a talk on pollination ecology of bats giving examples and case studies reported from different parts of the world. He also gave a demonstration on pollination aspects.

A wildlife researcher handling a bat mammals, Cynopterus sphinx, Hipposideros ater, Hipposideros speoris, Rhinolophus rouxii were caught.

Dr. Sanjay Molur, gave a presentation on methods on population estimation of small mammals based on his thesis work. He also explained about the small mammal networks Chiroptera Conservation and Information Network of South Asia (CCINSA) and Rodentia, Insectivora, Scandentia Conservation and Information Network of South Asia (RISCINSA).

At the end of the workshop the participants committed to contribute for the conservation of small mammals. At the end all participants received a certificate of participation.

As part of practice for identifying the species caught, dichotomous key and character matrix for identification of bats in the field was taught. During the course of bat examination, sexing, the breeding condition of the bats such as lactating females, pregnancy and age estimation.

Marking techniques: During classroom and field sessions different methods of marking the bats such as temporary marking (marker pen, varnish), permanent marking (forearm bands/rings, necklace, tattooing, bleaching the fur) were explained and demonstrated. Study of the foraging behaviour of the bats, radio-tracking studies, use of bat detectors etc were explained by Paul. Mike explained methods of marking of rodents such as Microchipping, ear tagging and fur clipping.

Participants of Small Mammal Field Techniques Training workshop

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Getting along with Elephants, HECx: Educator Training in Human Elephant Coexistence in Thailand R. Marimuthu1 and B.A. Daniel2 Zoo Outreach Organisation (ZOO) in collaboration with Elephant Conservation Network (ECN) organized a series of three “Getting along with Elephants” training workshops in Thailand. This was ZOO’s seventh series of workshops and the previous workshops were held in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia and Nepal.

Totally 20 HECx workshops have been organized and 597 people were trained.

The workshops were held at The Pavilion, Rim Kwai Resort, Kanchanaburi, Thailand from 15-24 August 2011. ECN selected participants representing all sectors of the community. Ninety persons (90) participated from 35 different institutions. They all live near villages of Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park, Erawan National Park, Kui Buri National Park, Sai Yok National Park and Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary, which are major human elephant conflict areas.

They were community leaders & members, teachers, other school staff and management, farmers, forest/ wildlife department staff, NGO representatives, education officials, Sub-district Associate Organisation officers, university students, village head and its staff, women community leaders and volunteers.

US Fish and Wildlife Service under the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund chiefly funded the workshop and other sponsors were Columbus Zoo, USA and Koln Zoo, Germany. The local supporters were Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary, Regional Protected Area Administration Office (Baan Pong)Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plants Conservation, Kanchanaburi Provincial Government and Provincial Education Office, Ministry of Education, Kanchanaburi.

The programme was attended by Ms. Sally Walker, Founder and Director of ZOO and Project Officer of this workshop series, Ms. Belinda StewartCox, Founder and Executive Director of ECN, Mr. Oeb Cheongsaard, Wildlife Director, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant ConservationRegional Protected Area Administration Office, Ban Pong Region and Mr. Khanchit Srinoppawan, Chief of Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary.

Dr. Mattana Srikajang, Senior Researcher, Wildlife Research Division of Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation gave a

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Understanding elephants past and present distribution through a map activity

A participant explaining his illustrations on elephant history presentation in all three workshops on “Asian Elephants-Habitat and Conservation scenarios in Thailand”.

Dr. B.A. Daniel and R. Marimuthu of Zoo Outreach Organisation and Ms. Jittin Ritthirat of ECN were the major trainers and few of ECN staff were intern trainees. Ms. Jittin had been invited to the Nepal HECx workshop in February 2009 as a participant and subsequently she became one of our intern trainees.

The main goals of the training are to bring about attitudinal and behavioral change for people afflicted by elephant visits. They are taught to avoid confrontation and conflict and embrace peaceful coexistence between human and elephant. They learn to understand the cultural and ecological

importance and conservation issues associated with elephants in Thailand.

Active learning techniques were used as they are very effective along with a range of education materials.

Education Materials Teaching Guide: this is the primary tool kit used in the workshops. The training manual contains a variety of active learning modules or techniques to reach a wide range of ages and educational and social levels, including illiterate or non-English speaking persons. It was developed in English and translated into Thai.

1 Education Officer, ZOO, Coimbatore. marimuthu@zooreach.org 2 Scientist ZOO, Coimbatore. badaniel@zooreach.org

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

A mini drama performance on rescuing elephants

Ele-kit education packet: individual “Ele-kits” are developed in both English and Thai. Some 100 packets are given to participants to take back and use for their own teaching to facilitate their organization of education programmes independently in their home place and to practice what they learned in training.

Drama & Finger puppet kits with guidelines of usage: A drama kit contains 17 masks of different characters to play mini dramas pertaining to elephant conflict issues and do’s and don’ts in the elephant areas. Drama guidelines are given to help them create their own drama themes. Special finger puppets kit was also developed and given to participants for their own teaching programmes.

Activities Assessment tools: there are several assessment or evaluation tools in the manual, which are designed to help organizers/educators determine how much and whether participants learned.

to think in new ways and establish priorities. They are challenged to decide what is more important, a sugar cane crop or their life or life of their family. The obvious truth is that you must be careful with your life and person. Only if you are alive and whole, you can replant a crop and rebuild a house. This simple truth eludes villagers who often disobey simple common sense. Many deaths are due to unnecessary careless action; this has been documented.

Our programme attempts to teach people not to take risks with their lives.

List of MANY “Ele Do’s and Ele Don’ts” learned from people living in HEC areas in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Indonesia are included in the Power point presentation as well as in the manual.

Many other activities are carried out some of which include using Elephant Characteristics, Mapping ranges of elephants, History of Asian elephants,

Role playing, understanding different tolerance levels, presentation by guest expert, various energizers involving the theme, role-playing exercise to unravel conflict issues, make believe conference on protection and management of HEC affected areas in Thailand, tips for planning an education programme, a personal commitment, and a post assessment.

Follow-up: Refresher Course A refresher course will be organized for the selected participants within six months of the training. The main objectives of the refresher course will be: to understand the effectiveness of the HECx training programme towards changing the behaviour and attitude of the people who live in HEC areas; to evaluate the educators through questionnaire to understand the utilization of the training; to know their education activities on HECx; to teach additional active teaching/learning tools.

Species information: factual differences between Asian and African elephants are covered as well as more details of Asian elephants which enable people to better understand their behaviour.

Mini-drama: help participants understand the complexities of human and elephant behaviour in the context of HEC/HECx. Country Chapter: a general overview of important elephant habitats is included in the manual to reinforce this a lecture was given by a local elephant expert.

Learning to Live with Giants-HECx: A Power Point presentation takes participants through a logical train of thought about HEC, encouraging them

Ms. Sally Walker distributing certificates and Ele-kit packets

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British Conservationist, Belinda Stuart-Cox, awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire OBE for outstanding service to conservation in Thailand as well as by her Thai colleague, Jittin Ritthirat who is ECN’s programme manager.

Zoo Outreach Organisation came to know ECN as well as Belinda and Jittin several years ago when it was suggested that ZOO’s very successful teaching workshop on human elephant coexistence. ZOO recently conducted 3 workshops in their community. * For information on ECN contact jittin.ritthirat@ecn-thailand.org or belinda@ecn-thailand.org or call +44 70984 801610 or check their Website: www.ecn-thailand.org.

Belinda Stewart-Cox (second left) with her mother Mary, brothers Rupert and Charlie, and colleague Jittin Ritthirat by the steps that lead into the state rooms of Buckingham Palace.

Elephant Conservation Network, with offices located at 37/1 Mu 8 Kaengsian, Muang, Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand, was founded in 1999 by Belinda Stuart-Cox and her colleague Jittin Ritthirat. The Elephant Conservation Network aims to ensure the long-term survival of wild elephants and their ecosystem in Thailand, at present focusing on trying to find sustainable solutions to human-elephant conflict in Kanchanaburi province. Belinda recently was invested with The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire (OBE) for twenty-five years of service to nature conservation in Thailand by none other than H.M. Queen Elizabeth II on 6 December 2011.

Belinda is Executive-Director of the Elephant Conservation Network (ECN) and Jittin is ECN Programme Manager.

Last year Jittin received the prestigious Whitley Award.

Belinda went to Thailand in 1986 to study green peafowl in the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. She joined the Thai campaign a Hydro-Electric Dam in a local Wildlife Sanctuary and

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another campaign against a legislative change that would have allowed loggers into the sanctuary. Later she helded her mentor and colleague, Seub Nakhasathien, write Thailand’s nomination for Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng to become a UNESCO natural world heritage site and helped field the nomination successfully through the long approval process. She was a founder and trustee of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation for 9 years, until the founding of ECN. Belinda described the ECN mandate “to assist Thailand’s most important conservation area for elephants and other large mammals. If we can find ways to help farmers and other villagers co-exist comfortably with elephants, we will make a useful contribution to ensuring their overall conservation in Thailand. More importantly, we will help safeguard the ecosystem that sustains so many lives and livelihoods in this region”.

Belinda was accompanied to Buckingham Palace to receive her award by her mother and two brothers

Belinda Stewart-Cox holding her OBE award, and Jittin Ritthirat providing more colour in her traditional Thai outfit than any other guest at Buckingham Palace that day.

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Outings with Hoolock of Delo Dr. Jikom Panor* Delo is small and a sleepy village under Kronu circle of Lower Dibang Valley district, Arunachal Pradesh. The area is inhabited by Mishmis.

tranquilizing equipment, other necessary medicine and appliances and left for Delo with my driver and one animal keeper.

Unlike most tribes of the state, people of this area usually do not hunt Hoolock gibbon. As per the oral mythology of the Mishmi tribe, hoolocks are descendents of the same ancestors as human beings and are regarded to be the elder brother. Therefore killing of hoolock is forbidden in their society.

My journey expenditure was contributed

by Hiba Taji, Curator Biological Park, Itanagar and Chukhu Loma. The food and lodging was arranged Nani Sha, DFO Mihao Wildlife Sanctuary and subsequently by Tana Tapi. At that time there were about 200 hoolocks (by head count) within 28 sq km of area which was subsequently reduced to 80 by the month of March 2009, my last visit to the area. The reductions in the number are attributed mostly to dog biting and worm infestation.

Hoolock gibbon was abundant in Dibang Valley District until the 1950 earth quake. Unfortunately, after this devastating quake, people from the hilly terrain migrated to low-lying fertile land of the district. The consequence of clearing the forest cover for settlement, cultivation, etc., destroyed the habitat of hoolock, leading to its complete extinction starting right from Sodia to Roing town. Fortunately due to the mythological belief of the Mishmi tribe, the hoolocks still occur in Delo and Koronu area.

Hoolock gibbon, Endangered (EN) and listed in the IUCN Red List and schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The only ape found in India, it is distributed in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya. The IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group has estimated that there are about 600-700 hoolocks sparsely distributed in 133 localities in North East India. It was also listed in the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25 most Endangered Primates for four years. There are two sub-species of hoolock gibbon, e.g., Eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconydes) and Western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock). Eastern hoolock gibbon is found only in Arunachal Pradesh (Dibang Valley, Lohit and some part of Changlang), Myanmar and China. Whereas, Western hoolock is found in Assam Arunachal (Changlang and Tirap), Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Bangladesh.

Hoolock gibbon is facing serious anthropogenic disturbances such as hunting, poaching and habitat destruction and fragmentation in Arunachal Pradesh as well as other parts of northeastern region. Decreasing in an area by about one third in last 10 years because of habitat loss and encroachment, quality of habitats, loss of fruiting & sleeping trees and increase in canopy gaps, the natural population of gibbon has been reduced. In addition, trade for blood, bones, fur, and meat as a supplementary food and medicine are other causes for its decline.

For the hoolock of Delo, the main threat are conflict with dog, worm infestation and habitat destruction due to agriculture, horticulture and tea plantation. I stumbled across this problem during 2005, in one of my tour programmes relating to microchip implantation on elephants under project elephant.

As directed by Chukhu Loma, Deputy Chief Wildlife warden Naharlagun, I was doing rough assessment of hoolock population of the state along with my microchip duty. After going through my report, he obtained a permission from PCCF (Wildlife) for rescue of those hoolocks.

The first ever rescue operation on the species was attempted during the month of June 2006. There was no literature or expert to consult at that point of time.

Although some scientists were working on the species, those were only preliminary and mostly their biological and habitat study. No record on their anatomy, physiology, treatment and tranquilization were available. I packed my

First day was spent in survey of the area. Second day passed without any success, but by the third day evening, we managed to rescue one female with baby from the mouth of a dog and brought them back to Itanagar Zoo. Again, during March 2007, we managed to rescue five more animals from the area. During the same month, there was a national level conference on conservation breeding of wild animals at Guwahati, which was attended

by Chukhu Loma. He managed to convince the Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority for establishment of conservation breeding centre at the Biological Park, Itanagar. There were many competiors for the species including Delhi zoo, Assam state zoo, Tripura zoo and Aizwal zoo.

To start the breeding centre we still needed some more animals as parent stock. On December 2007, I went to Delo again with my team. After two days of hectic schedule, we could rescue four animals. Pasang, my animal keeper and an expert climber who was with me throughout the rescue operation was badly injured by one of the animal. After first aid, we were retuning via Dambuk- Mebo Road, when on the way one female hoolock, injured during the rescue operation, died. We buried her and offered a brief prayer for the departed soul.

On reaching the bank of river Siang, our vehicle got stuck in a small stream. We tried to pull out the vehicle without success. Tana Tapi now DFO Pakke wildlife sanctuary fell in the water while pushing the vehicle. We used to call him Mokhna- the solitary male elephant because of his daredevil character while discharging his duty to protect animals.

However, here the Mokhna was shivering in cold and groaning with pains, and was totally helpless.

Pasang was sitting over a rock holding his injured hand, looking very small and in need of some motivation. It was more of a psychological problem we had at hand. Sensing it I collected some straw, wood, and managed to start a fire.

Being near the fire, we regained our courage. Finally, we *

Itanagar Zoo, Arunachal Pradesh. jikomp@yahoo.co.in

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succeeded in pulling out our vehicle. It took us five hours and it was already midnight.

I managed to call my brother Talang Panor and my brother in-law Dr. Tagum Tamut for help. At 2 AM, both of them along with Onyok Tamuk the owner of the ferry, came to our rescue.

On the fourth day, I got sick with unexplainable symptoms.

I was taken to hospital and treated for lack of glucose in the body. It did not help. I could not sleep the whole night.

There was feeling of hollowness and helplessness. Something was really going wrong inside my body. I thought I was going to die. I thought of my wife and children and felt sorry for them.

Finally, on 5th Aug 2008, our hard work paid off. A female baby hoolock was born in the zoo and the news took the wildlife world by storm. Earlier the animal was believed to be unbreedable species in captivity. Thereafter, within a span of three years, the zoo saw four more hoolock babies.

Next morning I was taken to a local priest. We had not told him anything but after examining me he started laughing and diagnosed that my problem was because I had captured monkeys! Immediately after some rituals, I became all right. But after five months the symptoms reappeared.

Now the zoo is proudly leading the conservation breeding of the species in the country.

I went to CMC Vellore for a thorough medical check-up.

After staying there for one month, I came back with perfectly healthy medical certificate. However, not satisfied with the report, I went to AIIMS Delhi. Except for irritable bowel syndrome, there was no significant diagnosis. With no choice left, I went to a local priest again.

Again on 2009, I left for Delo with a team comprising of Tana Tapi, Alok Kr. Singh Ipra, Sunil and his WTI (Wildlife Trust of India) and Riba DFO Wildlife Roing and their team.

This time our project was to rescue and translocate those stranded hoolocks from Delo to Mihao Wildlife Sanctuary.

After four days of hard work, we could capture only one animal.

My life is limping back to normalcy after performing rituals to ward away the monkey ghosts! I hope to recover for good very soon. However, my idea of rescue and translocation of stranded hoolocks of Delo remains a distant dream.

MOVING

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re moving to a new place.

Our New Address Zoo Outreach Organisation / Wildlife Information Liaison Development No. 96, Kumudham Nagar Vilankurichi Road, Coimbatore 641035 We will let you know our new Landline numbers when it is transferred to the new address. Until then you are requested to contact us either by email or by our mobile number.

Email: zooreach@zooreach.org Mobile: +91 9363104324

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ZOOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

The 1st International Gibbon Husbandry Conference, “The Great Lesser Ape” will take place June 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2012 and will be hosted by The Natural Science Center and Animal Discovery of Greensboro, North Carolina. The conference will focus on captive gibbon husbandry and management practices, but will also encompass topics within gibbon conservation and biology relevant to the messages we want to share with visitors to zoos and conservation centers. The conference is open to all those directly involved with captive gibbon husbandry and management, as well as those working in gibbon conservation and research around the globe.

This conference is dedicated to Alan Mootnick, who passed away November 5th, 2011-probably the greatest friend to The Great Lesser Ape. We have all been inspired by his work and passion. He will be with us at the conference in spirit and in all that we will accomplish and share.

The conference will be held in conjunction with a Gibbon SSP® Siamang Master Planning meeting, which will take place on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 at the Natural Science Center of Greensboro.

Host institution Natural Science Center & Animal Discovery of Greensboro, North Carolina INSPIRING PASSION FOR LIFE AND SCIENCE AZA and AAM Accredited Animal Discovery is a progressive AZA accredited zoo dedicated to high animal care standards and sharing impactive conservation messages with visitors. Themed on the “Science of Survival,” the zoo focuses on the unique and fascinating adaptations of diverse species, while engaging visitors with up-close creature encounters and visitor-staff interactions.

In 2009, the Greensboro community voted YES to a 20 million dollar expansion bond that will add, among other things, a one-of-a-kind SciQuarium, an Animal Discovery expansion, and many museum updates to the Natural Science Center of Greensboro. The Carolina SciQuarium is currently under construction and is set to open early 2013.

Animal Discovery is home to two white-handed gibbons.

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Estimation of Zoonotic Tuberculosis in Captive spotted Deer S.D. Budhe1, A.M. Rode2, N.P. Dakshinkar3, G.R. Bhojane4 and M.M. Pawade5 Abstract Tuberculosis is one of the chronic infectious diseases of a great public health concern and of economic and historical significance. The ease and frequency of spread of tuberculosis from animal to human and vice versa is uncontrolled. The present study was undertaken on 48 captive wild deer from different zoo’s/ parks of Maharashtra and of workers who come in contact with the animals. The screening of captive spotted deer and personnel in contact showed an important zoonotic role of tuberculosis because most deer were noted to be infected with M. tuberculosis of human strains and in contact workers tested positive.

Introduction Wild animals suffer from various diseases, few of them being highly zoonotic. Tuberculosis is one of the chronic infectious diseases of a great public health concern and of economic and historical significance (Rathore and Khera 1983). In India the disease was reported as early as 4000 years ago.

Dawn of the 20th century heralded extensive investigation on tuberculosis in man and animals, which further advanced the knowledge about susceptible wild animal hosts. The ease and frequency of the spread of tuberculosis from animal to human and from human to animals in an uncontrolled environment makes this an important zoonosis. Tuberculosis is one of the major infectious zoonotic disease, which is still of global concern (Upadhaya et.al., 1986, Garg et.al., 1990 & Singh et al., 1991).

Materials and Methods The present study was undertaken on the 48 captive spotted deer (Axis axis) from different zoo’s / parks of Maharashtra and in contact workers.

The requisite samples were collected and tested from four different centers viz., Maharajbagh Zoo, Nagpur (M. Zoo Ngp), Seminary Hills Deer Park, Nagpur (SHDP Ngp.) Veer Mata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, Byculla, Mumbai, VJBU, Mumbai and Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Center, Katraj, Pune (RGZP, Pune).

Blood samples were collected from each deer after chemical restraint using Xylazine and Ketamine. Passive haemagglutination (PHA) test was performed with harvested serum as per the method described by Jagannath and Sengupta (1983) with slight modification, sheep red blood cells stabilized with tanic acid and sensitized with purified protein derivative (PPD)

22

of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The haemagglutination readings were recorded as suggested by Stavitsky (1984). The in-contact workers from centers under study were screened by Mantoux test (Abrahams and Harlad, 1967).

In the present study it has been observed that 20% contact workers were positive at Maharajbagh Zoo Nagpur, 23.52% at Seminary Hills Deer Park Nagpur and 25% at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, Mumbai for tuberculosis by Mantoux test.

Results and Discussion The Prevalence of tuberculosis in captive wild deer and in-contact worker was studied and evaluated. A total of 48 deer were selected comprising 12 animals from each center and all in contact workers. The overall prevalence of tuberculosis in deer was found out to be 10.41% Table 1.

Chakraborty et.al (1993) also reported 9.6% incidence of tuberculosis in wild herbivores. These findings are supported Barrat et al (1988) who also documented 17.6% prevalence.

Surmiak (1970) stated that there were reasons to believe that the infection to animals which were observed positive reactors for tuberculosis must have been introduced by an animal attendant or visitors harbouring the Tuberculosis infection. Similar findings were also reported by Krishnaswami & Mani (1983), Thakuria (1996), Garg et.al (1990) & Upadhyay et.al (1986).

Similar findings were observed in the present study.

References Abrahams, E.W. & R.D. Harland (1967). Sensitivity to avian and human PPD in Brisbane School children Tubercle.

48:79-94.

Barrat, J., Y. Gerrard, A. Schwers, E. Thiry, J.R. Dubuisson & J. Blancou (1988). Serological survey in free living red deer (Cervus elaphus) in france.

Management and health of farmed deer.

Current topics in Veterinary Medicine, 48.

A seminar in the Commission of the European Communities programme of coordination of research in animal husdandry held in Edinburgh, Dec. 1987-1988:123-127.

The estimated prevalence of tuberculosis due to M. tuberculosis was 8.33% and M. bovis was 2.08%. The highest prevalence of tuberculosis caused by M. tuberculosis was 25% at VJBU Mumbai, followed by 8.33% at SHDP, Nagpur and by M. bovis 8.33% at VJMU Mumbai.

Overall prevalence of tuberculosis of contact workers was 26.46% at different zoo’s of Maharashtra.

Zoowise prevalence of tuberculosis in contact workers is presented in Table 2.

Table 1: Prevalence of tuberculosis in Captive Deer Sr. No.

Center

No. of Deer Tested

Deer found positive reactors M.bovis M.tuberculosis Total No. % No. % No. % -

1

M. Zoo, Nagpur

12

2 3

SHDP, Nagpur VJBU, Mumbai

12 12

1

8.33

1 3

8.33 25

1 4

8.33 33.33

4

RGZP, Pune

12

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total

48

1

2.08

4

8.33

5

10.41

Table 2 : Prevalence of tuberculosis in contact workers Sr. No.

Place

No. of workers tested

1 2 3 4

M. Zoo, Nagpur SHDP, Nagpur VJBU, Mumbai RGZP, Pune

10 17 4 3

2 4 1 -

20 23.53 25 -

34

7

20.58

Total

Positive reactors by Mantoux test No. %

1 Livestock Development Officer, Vet. Dispensary Grade 1, Hingna, Tal. Hingna Dist.

Nagpur. drsbudhe@rediffmail.com 2 Asst. Prof., 3 Associate Prof., 4 Asst. Prof., Dept. of Vet. Medicine, Nagpur Vet. College, Seminary Hills, Nagpur.

5 c/o P.B.Dange, Plot No. 67/B, Jaibajarang Society, Manavsevanagar, Seminary Hills, Nagpur.

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

Chakraborty, A., D.K. Sharma & B. Choudhary (1983). Tuberculosis in white spotted deer (Axis axis). Zoo’s Print, 5 (11): 12.

Garg, U.K., A.G.R. Pillai, V.S. Richharia & A.K.Pal (1990).

Tuberculosis in white spotted deer (Axis axis). Zoo’s Print, 5 (11): 12.

Jagannath, C. & D.N. Sengupta (1983). Serology of Tuberculosis.

Standardization of passive haemagglutination test for the measurement of antibodies to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tubercle, 64:193-200.

Krishnaswami, K.V. & K.R. Mani (1983). Mycobacterium tuberculosis

humanis carrying zoonotic tuberculosis among cattle. Indian Journal of Public Health, 27 (2) : 60-63.

Rathore, B.S. & S.S. Khera (1983).

Infectious and parasitic diseases recorded in wild animals in captivity and free living state. Indian Journal of Animal Health, 22 (6):5.

Singh, K.C.P., B.K. Sinha, C.B. Prasad, M.N. Sinha, C.R. Prasad & B.N.Prasad (1991). Tuberculosis in zoo animals.

Cherion, 20(2) : 73-74.

Stavitsky Abram B. (1954).

Micromethods for the study of proteins and antibodies. I. Procedure and general applications of haemagglutination and haemagglutination inhibition reaction with

tannic acid and protein treated red blood cells. Journal Immunol.,72 : 360.

Suramaik,B.(1970). The results of tuberculin tests over a period in a herd infected with human type Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Medycyna Wet.,26 : 8-10.

Thakuria, D.(1996). Prevalence, Transmission, Diagnosis and control of Tuberculosis in Assam State Zoo; A review. Zoo’s Print,11 (3) : 6-11.

Upadhyaya, T.N., H. Rahman, D.C. Pathak, D.K. Bauah & G.K. Baruah (1986). Tuberculosis in captive deers.

Indian Veterinary Journal.,63(10) : 865-866.

About the workshop A one week National Level Hands-on Training Workshop on Principles and Practices of Animal Taxonomy with special reference to Insects is being organized by Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre, Calicut, Kerala. The one week residential workshop is intended to educate and popularize Animal Taxonomy – the science of discovering, naming and classifying animals. To demonstrate and communicate the underlying concepts in taxonomy, the workshop will focus on standard techniques and procedures practiced in the science of Entomology. The subject area specialists of repute will deliver presentations/lectures and also impart hands-on training on collection, preservation, curation and identification techniques, with regard to significant insect groups like Lepidoptera (butterflies & moths), Odonata (dragon flies & damselflies), Mantodea (Praying mantids), Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps), Coleoptera (beetles), Diptera (flies), Orthoptera (Grass-hoppers) and Aquatic insects (including Hemiptera). A one- day field visit will be organized to Vanaparvam Biodiversity Conservation Park, Kakkavayal, Calicut, to get acquainted with the procedures and techniques related to inventorying insects. Modern trends in insect taxonomy like molecular systematics will also be dealt with. The medium of instructions will be English.

Broad objectives The workshop aims: · To introduce the Principles, Practices and Scope of Animal Taxonomy· To Impart practical/ hands-on training in standard Taxonomic Procedures· To develop basic skills in Identifying the Insect fauna Target Groups: Post graduates and young researchers in the field of Zoology, Wildlife Biology and Life Sciences.

Venue and Dates: The workshop will be conducted at Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Western Ghat Regional Centre (WGRC), Calicut-6, Kerala, from 27th February – March 3rd, 2012.

Eligibility Criteria* : 1. Age: Applicants should be below 35 years as on 1.1.2012. 2. Educational Qualifications and Experience: Post Graduates in Zoology, Wildlife Biology and Life Sciences. At least one year research experience desirable *Ph. D holders are not encouraged to apply. A total of 25 participants will be selected on all-India basis, according to the above criteria. Selected participants will be asked to submit copies of their Certificates.

Travel, Boarding and Lodging for the participants: The participants will be provided a second class to and fro fare by train and the free dormitory accommodation.

How to Apply: Application form that is to be filled and submitted can be downloaded from http://zsi.gov.in/ right_menu/29.11.11/ZSI/Index.html. The duly filled application form should reach the Course coordinator on or before 10th January 2012, by email only.

Contact: The Course Coordinator, National Workshop on Animal Taxonomy, Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghat Regional Centre, P.O. Eranhipalam, Calicut-673006, Kerala, India, Ph. 0495-2770101 Ext. 211; Fax: 04952771929. Email: workshop.zsi@gmail.com

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

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Chemo-Therapeutic management of foot abscess in female Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) S.K. Tiwari and Deepak Kumar Kashyap* Indian elephants (Elephas maximus) are commonly used for timber logging, transportation of material and for religious purpose in Indian temples (Arunacalam et al., 2007). Like other domestic animals the elephants are also exposed to many of the foreign bodies like sharp stones, nails, wires etc. The animal needs an emergency and critical care for its prevention of secondary infection and normal motion. In this report the case of foot abscess in female Asian elephant has been presented. A female, Asian elephant of 58 years age and approximately 5000-6000kg body weight was reported to the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Durg, (C.G.) with the complaint of traumatic injury and inability to bear weight on its right hind limb. Clinical examination of the foot revealed pain, swelling, abnormal motion (moving slowly) and drainage of pus with foul smell was noted. Based on the history and clinical examination, tentative diagnosis of the case was made as foot abscess.

The wound was suspected to be two weeks old. Wound was examined for presence of any foreign body. No metallic object was noted. Then the wound was cauterized with 2% copper sulphate solution and dressed with hydrogen peroxide and turpentine oil. The wound cavity was irrigated with 5% povidone-iodine lotion and painted with silver sulphadiazine ointment. Other medicines administered were Intacef- Tazo® 5 gm, Melonex® - 30ml and Isoflud® - 10 ml. intramuscularly at different sites for 5 days. It was reported that the animal continued to improve and became much brighter and active over next 25 days.

Fig. 1 The foot abscess with drainage of pus

Singh et al., (2010) reported the frequency distribution of the foot ailments in camp elephants to be 62%, 25% and 12.5% for split nails, foot abscess and crack-sole and recovered after 20-25, 15-20 and 30 days of treatment respectively. Many workers (Olivet et al., 2003; Wayne et al., 2008) have managed various foot ailments in elephants by the use of different drugs but with variable success rates.

Kay (2003) observed foot affection more in domestic elephants than free ranging wild elephants. Asian elephants in captivity generally needs more foot care than African elephants (Singh et al., 2010). Thus it is concluded that foot abscess can be comfortably managed by medicinal therapy in Elephants.

References Arunacalum, K., M. Raman & T.J. Harikrishnan (2007).

Incidence of helminth ova in Indian Elephants Elephas maximus at Theppakadu, Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu. Zoo’s Print Journal 22(11): 2898-2899.

Kay, G.M. (2003). The Elephant’s foot : Prevention and Care of Foot Conditions in Captive Asian and African Elephants. Canadian Vet. J 44 : 591.

Ollivet, C.F., A. Lecu, R.A. Yates & L.H. Spleman (2003). A Retrospective study of Elephant Wound. J. Zoo Wildlife Med. 34 : 292.

Singh, A., A.K. Das, M. Patel & A.K. Thathoo (2010).

Management of Foot Affections In Asian Elephants. Indian Vet. J. 87 : 201.

Wayne, S.J.B., J.H. Richard, H. Sherri, L. Michael, R. Andrea & M. Cree (2008). The Elephant in Ancient War, Bechert lowa State University Press. 323pp.

Fig. 2 The foot abscess after treatment

Dept. of Vet. Surgery & Radiology, College of Veterinary Science & A. H. Anjora, Durg (C.G.) 491001 * Corresponding author deepakkashyap31@gmail.com

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Birds of Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Central India Tharmalingam Ramesh*, Natarajan Sridharan and Riddhika Kalle Birds are ideal bio-indicators and useful models for studying a variety of environmental problems and the importance of local landscapes for avian conservation can only be understood by knowing the structure of the bird community of that region (Kattan & Franco 2004). As far as bird diversity is concerned, India has more than 1200 species which is over 13 percent of the world’s bird species out of which 488 species are reported from Central India, Madhya Pradesh (Chandra & Singh 2004). Apparently many of the Indian bird population have been dwindling due to direct or indirect impacts of the increasing human population. Several threats including habitat loss, fragmentation, and severe biotic pressure necessitated the documentation of the current composition and status of bird species for future monitoring and its conservation. Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) is a dry deciduous forest and forms part of the northern region of Vindhyan hill range, Central India.

Scarcity of information is available on avifaunal status in the past. In order to fill up the lacunae, a short term survey was carried out to document the avifaunal status in the sanctuary.

Methodolog (KWLS) is located in the North of Madhya Pradesh between the coordinates 25° 30'-25° 53' N and 77° 07'-77° 28' E encompasses an area of about 345 km2. According to Champion and Seth (1968) Kuno has Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous forest, Northern Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous forest, Anogeissus pendula forest and Boswellia forest. Apart from these, the recently relocated villages of KWLS are developing slowly into grasslands.

Kuno is rich in its faunal diversity. It has a moderate climatic regime which is slightly arid in nature. The annual average precipitation is 760mm, most of which precipitates between the end of June till September. During December and January, the minimum recorded temperature is about 6.3°C and soars upto 45°C in summer (Sharma 2007).

We recorded opportunistic sightings of bird species in KWLS from December 2006 to April 2007, as part of an all India monitoring of tiger, co-predators and its prey base study. While conducting sign surveys, camera trapping and line transect walks, whenever bird species was sighted at a particular location, further identified with the help of the standard field guide Grimmett et al. (1999). In

Fig. 1 Location of intensive study area in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Central India (modified after Johnsingh et al., 2007). addition, opportunistic efforts were also made to record bird species. All observations were made from morning 06:00hrs to 10:00hrs and evening from 16:00 to 19:00hrs with the help of bushnell 8X42 binoculars. Status of the observed bird species were assessed on the basis of standard methods outlined by Khan (1980). The status categories are: Common – bird species which were recorded on 80-100% of the field visits; Occasional – species that were observed on 50-79% of the field visits; Rare –

species that were sighted on less than 50% of the visits. Resident, winter visitor, summer visitor and local migrant were recognized by consulting old records and through our observations.

Results and Discussion A total of 129 species, belonging to 56 families were recorded during the study period (Table 1.). The Accipitridae family showed the highest number of species observed during the survey (14 species), followed by

Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, P.O. Box 18, Dehra Dun 248 001, Uttarakhand, *Corresponding author: ramesh81ngl@gmail.com

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

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Phasianidae (9), Motacicillidae, Columbidae, Sturnidae (6 species each), Cuculidae, Muscicapidae (5 species each), Cisticolidae (4), Apodidae, Ardeidae, Caprimulgidae, Corvidae, Laniidae, Psittacidae, Strigidae and Timaliidae (three species each) and so on. Of these species 72.87% (n=94) were resident, 19.38% (n=25) winter visitor, 3.10% (n=4) summer visitor and 4.65% (n=6) local migrant. In terms of frequency of observation, majority of species were found to be common (n=85, 66%) followed by occasional (n=35, 27%) and rare (n=9, 7%). During the study period three Critically Endangered Indian white-backed vultures (Gyps bengalensis), long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus), red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) and one Endangered species (EN) Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) were recorded. Many live white–backed vultures and red-headed vulture nests were located along the riverside on rocky grieves.

Bird distribution and abundance vary habitat to habitat (Jayapal et al. 2007) and depends on climatic condition, food resources and evolutionary history of the area (Jayson 1994). The bird families Accipitridae, Phasianidae, Motacillidae, Columbidae, Sturnidae and Cuculidae are sufficiently abundant considered to be characteristic of resource availability in the region. Live nesting of vultures indicated breeding and occurrence of more winter visitors stressing conservation importance for

this study site. Habitat loss from anthropogenic pressure is the greatest threat to most of the Indian birds (Rahmani 2008). Reduction of anthropogenic pressure is an important concern to this region (Johnsingh et al.

2007). We recommend further extensive studies required in restoring bird species diversity in this landscape.

Acknowledgements We thank the Director, Wildlife Institute of India and Principal Investigators, All India tiger monitoring program for giving the permission to work in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary. We are indebted to our field assistants and forest department staff for their help in the field.

References Champion, H.G. & S.K. Seth (1968).

A Revised Survey of the Forest Types of India. Government of India Publication: New Delhi.

Chandra, K. & R.K. Singh (2004).

Avifauna of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Zoos’ print Journal 19 (7): 1534-1539.

Grimmett R., C. Inskipp & T. Inskipp (1999). Pocket Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent.

Oxford University Press, 384 pp.

Jayson, E.A. (1994). Synecology and behavioural studies on the forest birds of Kerala. Ph.D Thesis, University of Calicut, 314 pp.

Johnsingh, A.J.T., S.P. Goyal & Q. Qureshi (2007). Preparations for the reintroduction of Asiatic lion Panthera leo persica into Kuno Wildlife

Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Oryx 41(1): 93–96.

Kattan, G.H. & P. Franco (2004).

Bird diversity along elevational gradients in the Andes of Colombia: area and mass effects. Global Ecology and Biogeography 13: 451–458.

Khan, M.A.R. (1980). A Comparative account of the avifauna of the shoals and the neighbouring plantation in the Nilgiri. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society 75(3): 1028-1035.

Sharma, K. (2007). Brief profile of Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Shoepur (MP)An outstanding forest. Zoos’ Print 22 (7): 20-21.

Jayapal, R., Q. Qureshi & R. Chellam (2007). Developing a spatial conservation protocol for Central Indian Highlands through a biogeographical analysis of birds and existing Protected Area network: A Geographical Information Systems approach. Research Report, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 200 pp.

Rahmani A.R. (2008). Flight to extinction.Spectrum, The Tribune.

Retrieved June 8, 2008, from http:// www.tribuneindia.com/ 2008/20080608/spectrum/.

Table 1: List of observed birds in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, Central India S.No.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

26

Family/Species common name Phalacrocoracidae Little Cormorant Great Cormorant Ardeidae Grey Heron Cattle Egret Little Green Heron Ciconiidae White-necked Stork Accipitridae Egyptian Vulture Indian White-backed Vulture Long-billed Vulture Red-headed Vulture Short-toed Snake-Eagle Crested Serpent-Eagle Western Marsh-Harrier Pied Harrier Shikra Montagous Harrier White-eyed Buzzard Bonelli’s Eagle Changeable Hawk-Eagle

Scientific name

Season

Frequency of observation

Phalacrocorax niger Phalacrocorax carbo

R LM

C O

Ardea cinerea Bubulcus ibis Butorides striatus

LM R R

C C O

Ciconia episcopus

R

O

Neophron percnopterus Gyps bengalensis Gyps indicus Sarcogyps calvus Circaetus gallicus Spilornis cheela Circus aeruginosus Circus melanoleucos Accipiter badius Circus pygargus Butastur teesa Hieraaetus fasciatus Spizaetus cirrhatus

R R R R R R W W R W R R R

X O C C O C O X C O O O C

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S.No. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66

Family/Species common name Steppe Eagle Pandionidae Osprey Falconidae Common Kestrel Phasianidae Painted Francolin Grey Francolin Jungle Bush-Quail Red Spurfowl Painted Spurfowl Indian Peafowl Rain Quail Common Quail Blue Breasted Quail Turnicidae Small Button Quail Barred Button quail Rallidae White-breasted Waterhen Common Coot Charadriidae Yellow-wattled Lapwing River Lapwing Scolopacidae Common Sandpiper Sternidae River Tern Pteroclididae Painted Sandgrouse Columbidae Blue Rock Pigeon Oriental Turtle-Dove Little Brown Dove Spotted Dove Eurasian Collared Dove Yellow-legged Green-Pigeon Psittacidae Alexandrine Parakeet Rose-ringed Parakeet Plum-headed Parakeet Pied Crested Cuckoo Cuculidae Brain fever Bird Asian Koel Sirkeer Malkoha Greater Coucal Strigidae Brown Fish-Owl Spotted Owlet Short-eared Owl Caprimulgidae Indian Jungle Nightjar Common Indian Nightjar Eurasian Nightjar White-rumped Needle tail-Swift Asian Palm-Swift House Swift Hemiprocnidae Crested Tree-Swift Alcedinidae Small Blue Kingfisher Halcyonidae Stork-billed Kingfisher

Scientific name

Season

Frequency of observation

Aquila nipalensis

W

X

Pandion haliaetus

W

O

Falco tinnunculus

W

C

Francolinus pictus Francolinus pondicerianus Perdicula asiatica Galloperdix spadicea Galloperdix lunulata Pavo cristatus Coturnix coromandelica Coturnix coturnix Coturnix chinensis

R R R R R R R W R

C C C C C C C C O

Turnix sylvatica Turnix suscitator

R R

C C

R LM

C C

Vanellus malabaricus Vanellus duvaucelii

R R

C C

Actitis hypoleucos

W

C

Sterna aurantia

R

O

Pterocles indicus

R

C

Columba livia Streptopelia orientalis Streptopelia senegalensis Streptopelia chinensis Streptopelia decaocto Treron phoenicoptera

R R R R R R

C O C C C C

Psittacula eupatria Psittacula krameri Psittacula cyanocephala Clamator jacobinus

R R R S

C C C C

Hierococcyx varius Eudynamys scolopacea Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii Centropus sinensis

R R R R

C C O C

Ketupa zeylonensis Athene brama Asio flammeus

R R W

O C X

Caprimulgus indicus Caprimulgus asiaticus Caprimulgus europaeus Zoonavena sylvatica Cypsiurus balasiensis Apus affinis

R R S R R R

C C O O O C

Hemiprocne coronata

R

C

R

C

R

O

Amaurornis phoenicurus Fulica atra

Alcedo atthis Halcyon capensis

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S.No.

Family/Species common name

67

White-breasted Kingfisher Cerylidae Lesser Pied Kingfisher Meropidae Small Bee-eater Coraciidae Indian Roller Upupidae Common Hoopoe Picidae Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker Pittidae Indian Pitta Hirundinidae Dusky Crag Martin Red-rumped Swallow Motacillidae White Wagtail Large Pied Wagtail Yellow Wagtail Grey Wagtail Paddy field Pipit Eurasian Tree Pipit Campephagidae Small Minivet Pycnonotidae Red-vented Bulbul Aegithinidae Common Iora Laniidae Bay-backed Shrike Rufous-backed Shrike Southern Grey Shrike Muscicapidae Oriental Magpie-Robin Indian Robin Black Redstart Rufous tailed Wheatear Pied Bushchat Sylviidae Yellow-eyed Babbler Common Lesser Whitethroat Timaliidae Common Babbler Large Grey Babbler Jungle Babbler Cisticolidae Rufous-fronted Prinia Jungle Prinia Ashy Prinia Acrocephalidae Blythâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reed Warbler Phylloscopidae Tickell's leaf warbler Greenish Leaf-Warbler Cisticolidae Common Tailorbird Stenostiridae Grey-headed Flycatcher Monarchidae Asian Paradise-Flycatcher Rhipiduridae White-browed Fantail

68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108

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Scientific name

Season

Frequency of observation

Halcyon smyrnensis

R

C

Ceryle rudis

R

C

Merops orientalis

R

C

Coracias benghalensis

R

C

Upupa epops

R

C

Dendrocopos nanus Dinopium benghalense

R R

C C

Pitta brachyura

S

C

Hirundo concolor Hirundo daurica

R W

C C

Motacilla alba Motacilla maderaspatensis Motacilla flava Motacilla cinerea Anthus rufulus Anthus trivialis

W R W W R W

C C O C C O

Pericrocotus cinnamomeus

R

C

Pycnonotus cafer

R

C

Aegithina tiphia

R

C

Lanius vittatus Lanius schach Lanius meridionalis

R R LM

O C O

Copsychus saularis Saxicoloides fulicata Phoenicurus ochruros Oenanthe xanthoprymna Saxicola caprata

R R W W LM

C C C O O

Chrysomma sinense Sylvia curruca

R W

C C

Turdoides caudatus Turdoides malcolmi Turdoides striatus

R R R

C O C

Prinia buchanani Prinia sylvatica Prinia socialis

R R R

X C C

Acrocephalus dumetorum

W

C

Phylloscopus affinis Phylloscopus trochiloides

W W

C C

Orthotomus sutorius

R

C

Culicicapa ceylonensis

W

O

Terpsiphone paradisi

S

C

R

C

Rhipidura aureola

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S.No.

109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129

Family/Species common name Paridae Great Tit Dicaeidae Tickellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flowerpecker Nectariniidae Purple Sunbird Zosteropidae Oriental White-eye Emberizidae Crested Bunting Estrildidae Red Munia Passeridae House Sparrow Ploceidae Baya Weaver Sturnidae Grey-headed Starling Brahminy Starling Common Starling Asian Pied Starling Common Myna Bank Myna Oriolidae Eurasian Golden Oriole Dicruridae Black Drongo Corvidae Indian Treepie House Crow Jungle Crow Gruidae Demoiselle crane Common crane

Scientific name

Season

Frequency of observation

Parus major

R

C

Dicaeum erythrorhynchos

R

O

Nectarinia asiatica

R

C

Zosterops palpebrosus

R

C

Melophus lathami

W

X

Amandava amandava

R

O

Passer domesticus

R

C

Ploceus philippinus

LM

O

Sturnus malabaricus Sturnus pagodarum Sturnus vulgaris Sturnus contra Acridotheres tristis Acridotheres ginginianus

R R W R R R

O C O O C O

Oriolus oriolus

R

O

Dicrurus macrocercus

R

C

Dendrocitta vagabunda Corvus splendens Corvus macrorhynchos

R R R

C X C

Grus virgo Grus grus

W W

X X

C-Common; O-Occasional; X-Rare; R-Resident; W-Winter visitor; S-Summer visitor; LM-Local migrant.

Announcement International Conference on Entomology February 17-19, 2012

Venue: Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences Punjabi University, Patiala 147 002 Punjab, India On behalf of the organizing committee we are pleased to welcome you to the International Conference on Entomology scheduled to be held in the Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala from February 17-19, 2012. This three day event has been specially designed for scientists, agricultural experts, public health workers, professional, policy makers and community leaders involved in insect diversity, pest control management, various vectors, and vector borne diseases and other areas of agricultural and medical entomology. This conference will feature plenary lectures, invited lectures, and contributed papers presentations (both Oral and Posters). The aim of the conference will be to promote discussion and exchange of information on the said issues.

For all correspondence contact: Prof. (Dr.) Jagbir Singh Organising secretary, International Conference on Entomology Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences Punjabi University, Patiala 147 002 Punjab, India Ph: +91 175 3046334, 3046335 Email: jagbirsinghkirti@rediffmail.com

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Hybanthus puberulus M. Gilbert. (Violaceae) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A new record for India R. Sasi, R. Sivalingam and A. Rajendran Introduction The genus Hybanthus Jacq. has about 100 species distributed throughout tropics (Mabberley 2008). In India four species were reported; two of them namely, H. enneaspermus (L.) F. Muell. and H. travancoricus Melch. were included in the Flora of India (Banerjee & Pramanik 1993). Among the other two, H. vatsavayii C.S. Reddy was described as a new species and addition to the Indian flora (Reddy, 2001) and H. stellarioides (Domin) P.I. Forst., was collected from Hyderabad and described as a new distributional record to India by Venkat Ramana et al. (2011). Recently, a species of Hybanthus was collected during the floristic studies of Maruthamalai hills of the Southern Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. On critical examination and perusal of literature concerning the genus Hybanthus, it was identified as Hybanthus puberulus M. Gilbert, so far known to occur only in Ethiopia (Gilbert, 1992). The present collection of Hybanthus puberulus, therefore forms a new distributional record for India. A short description of the plant is given along with illustration below.

Hybanthus puberulus M. Gilbert in Nord. J. Bot. 12(6): 689 - 693. 1992.

Herbaceous shrubs, much branched, 17 - 30cm high; stem green when young, base pinkish woody, hairy.

Leaves green above and slightly paler beneath, simple, alternate, clustered at apex, linear to lanceolate, obscurely crenate, mucronate at apex, attenuate at base, hairy, 25 - 35 X 3 - 5mm; stipules linear - lanceolate, densely hairy, gland tipped, ca 2mm long.

Flowers pinkish with darker patterns, solitary, axillary inflorescence; peduncle slender, densely short pubescent, 8 - 10mm long; pedicel short, slender, pubescent, 5 - 7mm long; bracts triangular, densely pubescent, margins ciliate, ca 1mm long; sepals 5, unequal, ovate lanceolate, pubescent, ca 2mm long; petals 5, unequal, upper pale pink, oblong, 4 - 5mm long, lateral petals pale pink, oblong ending in a sharp acute apex, ca 3mm long; lower petals pinkish with darker patterns, enlarged, oblong- elliptic, shortly cuspidate, 10 x 6 - 7mm along with a limb; stamens 5, filaments free, the anterior 2 filaments with hairy appendages, anthers villous, the posterior 3 filaments and stamens glabrous; pistil 3mm long, style erect and stigma flat. Capsules 3- angled, short pubescent ca 6mm long; seeds pale yellow, ellipsoid, ribbed, glabrous, ca 3mm long.

30

Fig: 1 Hybanthus puberulus M. Gilbert.

A. Habit, B. Flower, C. Stipule, D. Bract, E. Calyx, F. Lower petal, G. Upper petals, H. Lateral petals, I-J Stamens, K. Pistil, L. Capsule, M. Seed

Flower

Capsule Habit Fig: 2 Hybanthus puberulus M. Gilbert.

Dept. of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore E mail: drsivar@gmail.com

ZOOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

Flowering and fruiting: JulyOctober.

Ecology: Growing along the footpath, especially under bushes, between 430 - 480m altitudes on Maruthamalai hills, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India.

Distribution: Ethiopia (Sidamo region), probably recently introduced into India in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Specimen examined: India: Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore District, Maruthamalai. Sasi, Sivalingam & Rajendran, 006154 (BH).

Conclusion: Hybanthus puberulus is closely allied to H. ennaespermaus but it differs by its dense very short indumentum, which covers all the parts including capsule. In H. enneaspermus the indumentum is much laxer, usually

longer and the capsule is always glabrous. The Hybanthus puberulus grows intermingled with H. enneaspermus and gives the similar appearance, probably due to this, it might have been overlooked and could not be listed by the earlier workers.

Reddy, C.S. (2001). Hybanthus vatsavayii (Violaceae): A new species from Andhra Pradesh, India. J. Econ.

Taxon. Bot. 25: 219 - 220.

Venkat Ramana, M., P.V. Prasanna, & P. Venu. (2011). Hybanthus stellarioides (Violaceae), a new record for India, Rheedea, 21 (1): 10 - 12.

References Banerjee, S.P. & B.B. Pramanik (1993). Violaceae. In: Sharma, B.D. & N.P. Balakrishnan (Ed.), Flora of India.

Vol. 1. Papaveraceae Caryophyllaceae. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta. Pp. 343 - 345.

Gilbert, M.G. (1992). Notes on Violaceae from Ethiopia. Nord. J. Bot. 12: 689 - 693.

Mabberley, D.J. (2008). Mabberleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Plant- Book, A portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses.

Third Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Announcement National Conference on 'Biodiversity Assessment, Conservation and Utilization' during 9-11 Feb 2012 Department of Biodiversity, Abasaheb Garware College, Pune is organizing a National Conference on 'Biodiversity Assessment, Conservation and Utilization' during 9-11 Feb 2012 under the chairmanship of renowned ecologist Prof. Madhav Gadgil. In connection with this a theme based nature photography competition and exhibition named 'Wild Reflections' has also been organized.

The conference will be a treat for all biology lovers as it will feature invited talks by eminent speakers like Prof. K.N.Ganeshaiah, Prof.

R. Umashaanker, Dr. R.J.Ranjit Daniels, Dr. Darshan Shankar etc. and provides opportunity to share ideas, interact and establish links.

Further details about the 'themes, registration etc.', can be found on departmental website (www.mesbiodiversity.in) Please note that the deadline for submission of abstracts is rescheduled to 30 December, 2011.

Contact: Ankur Patwardhan, M.Sc. Ph.D., Organizing Secretary and Head Dept. of Biodiversity, Abasaheb Garware College, Karve Road Pune - 411004 URL : www.mesbiodiversity.in Mail : biodiversityconference2012@gmail.com Phone : +91-20-41038236/7 Fax : +91-20-41038233

ZOOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

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Education Reports Wildlife Week celebrated by Wildlife SOS at Bannerghatta Biological Park We conducted a programme on 5 October 2011 at Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore, organized

by Wildlife SOS Staff and a few other volunteers. The objective of our programme was to increase awareness of wildlife in children. The first programme was "Bear Awareness" in front of the bear enclosure in the zoo. Wildlife SOS team and volunteers went across the zoo and spread the word of the programme to many visitors, especially children, and brought them before the bear enclosure. Dr. Arun V. Sha shared many facts about bears with the children. Then we issued ZOO’s new Bear Kit to all participants and both parents and children were happy to learn more about bears. A drama was conducted by the children about "Dancing Bears" at the end of the bear awareness programme.

Dr. Arun V. Sha sharing bear facts

Our next programme featured Primates and it was conducted in front of the primate enclosures in the zoo.

We shared much information such as ecological balance, survival threats, and habitat of primates especially Lion-tailed Macaque, ending the program by distributing attractive posters of LTM. After lunch break, we conducted programs on amphibians and bats and took the program also to the play area. We told about different frogs and their part in environment ecology and issued the "Amphibian Kit and Amphibian posters" to the children.

Then we instructed them to act like frogs, wearing the mask and jump like frogs. They did it very well and their parents as well as other zoo visitors enjoyed their antics.

The last awareness programme was on bats, given to a final batch of children and other participants. We told them about varieties of bats and their ecological role. We announced the United Nations and Bat Conservation International “International Year of Bats”. Children were very eager to know about bats and they asked various questions about them. Then we issued the "Bat kit" to the children so they could find many of the answers to their questions in the "Bat Kit". At

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Bear awareness programme is being conducted in front of Bear enclosure the end of programme all children and other participants took pledge to save wildlife and conserving nature.

Children and their parents appreciated the programme organized in a zoo, which they never experienced in their previous visits. All the credit goes to Zoo Outreach Organisation and the sponsors of the program kits and their continuous support to the wildlife volunteers. We wish ZOO to bring out more educational material to save wildlife in future also. Our special thanks are to Wildlife SOS & Staffs, Volunteers and Bannerghatta Biological Park Management. Submitted by Gopi Janarthanan, Wildlife SOS Volunteer, Bangalore, Karnataka. gopi.janarthanan@gmail.com

GEER Foundation, Gujarat and their special event during Wildlife Week Wildlife Week is an opportunity to reach many, many people during the first week of October. It is the most participatory wildlife event in India. All types of institutions throughout India celebrate and an\enormous number of people of all ages attend specially arranged events. We, as an institute with the basic motto of ecological education, have also arranged special activities and events during the Wildlife Week 2011.

This year in association with Zoo Outreach Organization (ZOO), Wildlife Information Liaison Development, (WILD) Society, Chester Zoo, UK,

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, USA, CCINSA, Alertis – Fund for Bear and Nature Conservation, GEER Foundation had organized a special event “Understanding Biodiversity”

Participants learning about biodiversity at Indroda Nature Park

Eco Ambassadors interacting with Indroda Nature park visitors

Young Eco Ambassadors with dignitaries

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

during the Wildlife Week 2011 celebration at Indroda Nature Park, Gandhinagar. In this event Young Eco Ambassadors of Gujarat were given education packets containing education materials about biodiversity, biodiversity loss, climate change, human over-use of natural resources and other materials like rakhi, face mask with the message of Biodiversity is Life – our lives and wildlife’ during a specially designed workshop for Young Eco Ambassadors, organized at GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar. There were three different educational packets i.e.

Amphibians, Bats and Bears.

After the distribution of educational packets, we explained the importance of Biodiversity Conservation by Shri S.P. Patel, Dy. Director, GEER Foundation in first session, emphasizing equilibrium of humanity and natural biodiversity. Children put on different masks they got from the packets. In session two, the children explored Indroda Nature Park with the aim of conserving biodiversity. They also interacted with the visitors of the Park to make them aware of biodiversity and its importance. They accompanied the visitors during their visit to the park and told them what they had learned about the importance of wildlife. All participants highly appreciated the educational materials kits supplied by Zoo Outreach Organization. Submitted by S.P. Patel, Dy. Director (E.E), GEER Foundation, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. dydir-geer@gujarat.gov.in

Amphibians Conservation Awareness programme at ARRS, Karnataka ‘Amphibians’ was held on the 6 November 2011 at the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station. The programme was targeted at the 8-9 std students of the Agumbe English medium school. The programme was a success during which twenty-two selected students were exposed to a broad introduction of amphibian ecology with a detailed focus on frog biology. The programme began with a classroom introduction to Wildlife Week and the programme selection process.

A questionnaire was distributed to all students and it addressed general wildlife terms, human-animal conflict issues and deforestation in an objective type format. One essay type question addressing human dependency on forests was included for final

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selections. Since students were on vacation for Diwali the school staff was requested to accompany the selected students to the programme venue on their return. Of the twenty-five selected students, twenty-two along with three staff members attended the program. The programme began with an interactive presentation on Amphibians with a primary focus on frogs. The backbone of the presentation was created using the ‘Frogs are a part of our biodiversity’ package sent to us by the Zoo Outreach Organization. Also included in the presentation was: a talk and video clip on the “United Nations Decade on Biodiversity”; types of amphibians; an introduction to frogs, their importance and their current status in South Asia; possible conservation strategies and their implementation; a basic checklist of common found frogs and toads in Agumbe along with video clips and pictures of them.

The next phase of the programme was an interactive session with the students wherein students were encouraged to express their experiences with amphibians.

Concepts such as habitat loss, climate change, biodiversity and endemism were brought up in an interactive manner. Focus was given to frogs in explaining the importance of food chains and food webs, the uses of frogs as bio indicators to detect the health of ecosystems was thoroughly presented. Prior to lunch a field exposure to frogs was conducted.

Students were trained in identifying frogs to genus level and some to species level in addition to safety protocols. On their request, a challenge of sighting 13 of the common found species in one hour was taken up. The site selected was optimum for practical exposure to differential habitat use of different species of frogs. All frogs found and their numbers were noted down by the students. Seven of the 13 listed species of frogs were found which then raised a conversation on nocturnal and diurnal lifestyles in animals.

The programme ended with a talk on the importance of wildlife education and how every single person can contribute in his or her own way to protecting forests. Students and faculty members were given the education packages and instructed in ways of involving and educating their

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Students, teachers and ARRS staff with amphibian education kit

South Asia Amphibian poster being introduced to the students

Students looking at a Cacelian which was found during field exposure

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

Mrs. Aruna Negi teaching the concepts of biodiversity

classmates in what they had learnt through the day. The group dispersed after lunch wearing the materials provided in the education packages, they walk back to the Agumbe School formed a small procession through the Agumbe town. The program was a big success and the students were very involved and interested in discussions.

ARRS would like to acknowledge all sponsors and resource persons: IUCN/ SSC Conservation breeding specialist group (CBSG), World association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), IUCN/ SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG), Sally Walker and Sanjay Molur, Amphibian Ark, Zoo Outreach Organization and Wildlife Information Liaison Development. Submitted by Naren Sreenivasan, Education Officer, ARRS, Karnataka. naren.arrs@gmail.com

Celebration of Wildlife Week 2011 by Conservation Himalayas, Chandigarh.

Himalayan public school students celebrating wildlife week with zeal

Students taking a rally insisting anti-poaching of Bears

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

Conservation Himalayas celebrated the Wildlife Week with students and teachers of the Himalayan Public School (HPS) at Reckong Peo in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

On 1 October 2011, the students of 4-10 standard and teachers joined the team of the Conservation Himalayas in a small gathering to celebrate the Wildlife Week enthusiastically.

Conservation Himalayas is indebted to the Zoo Outreach Organization for supplying WLW educational resource materials for this programme.

The theme of the programme was ‘Understanding and Saving Biodiversity’. Mrs. Aruna Negi, the field programme officer of the Conservation Himalayas taught the kids about the basic concept of biodiversity by a play way method in which a few students played the role of wild animals wearing paper masks of a variety of wildlife. Thirteen students participated in this role-play activity to understand and make the audience to understand the meaning of biodiversity. With the help of this play way method the students were taught how living organisms in an ecosystem depend on each other for survival.

Aruna Negi explained to the students the role of frogs and bats in the environment. The ZOO kits on Amphibians and Bats were used to teach the facts about the frogs and bats and their ecological roles in the environment. In another session,

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Santosh Sahoo taught the participating students about the Bears and the threats they face due to humaninduced damage to their natural habitats. Examples of Human-Bear conflicts in the black bear ranging areas in Shimla district were illustrated to explain why bears enter into human habitation areas and pose serious threats to the human lives and crops.

A game activity on “Threats to Bears” was conducted in which some of the students participated in a role-play to display how Himalayan black bears and human beings are in conflict due to gradual destruction to their natural habitats by the human beings. At the end of this play, the participants went on a rally insisting audience to give habitat protection and support bear anti-poaching. At the end of the programme, ZOO educational resource materials on amphibians, bats and bears were distributed to all the teachers and students and the contents were explained in detail.

Conservation Himalayas is especially thankful to the ZOO Outreach Organization for the resource materials. We are also thankful to the Principal of the Himalayan Public School for giving permission to the students. Submitted by Santhosh Kumar Sahoo, Conservation Himalayas, Chandigarh. chimalayas@yahoo.com

Students committing their support for the conservation of amphibian

Wildlife Week Celebrations at the American College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu The Department of Zoology, The American College has organized Wildlife Week Celebrations on 4.10.2011 to commemorate the culmination of United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (2011-2020), International Year of Forests (2011), World Animal Welfare Day (Oct.4th) and Wildlife Week Celebrations (Oct.1-7).

More than 200 students belonging to various Departments of the college participated. Various interdepartmental competitions like essay writing, pencil sketching and slogan writing were conducted on the theme of Wildlife Conservation. Dr. A. Joseph Thatheyus, Asst. Professor of Zoology department welcomed the gathering.

Acting Principal & Secretary Dr. R. Mohan presided over the function.

Dr. M. Davamani Christober, Bursar elaborates about the India’s wildlife resources and list out the species

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On the spot pencil sketching competition is going on.... found only in India and the importance of conservation in his felicitation.

Dr. C.M. Jeyachandra, Head (Incharge), Zoology Department introduced the chief guest. District Forest Officer Thiru. Rakesh Kumar Jagenia, I.F.S., Chief Guest of the function emphasized the importance of conserving Wildlife and aim & significance of these celebrations. He also distributed the prizes and certificates to the winners of various competitions. Zoo Outreach Organization distributed the materials for Wildlife Week with species and conservation themes. Students were benefitted by the materials.

Dr. P. Velladurai, Assistant Professor administered the wildlife protection pledge. Ms. J. Judith Caroline, Convener proposed the vote of thanks.

Prof. M. Rajesh distributed the materials sent by the Zoo Outreach Organization to the students and instruct them to take pledge to protect the animals after wearing the mask and rakhis. Submitted by M.Rajesh, American College, Madurai, TN. lillyrajesh@yahoo.com.

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVI, Issue 12, December 2011

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 Editors: 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 containing 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 2561087 Fax: +91 422 2563269 E-mail: zooreach@zooreach.org Website: www.zooreach.org, www.zoosprint.org

ANNOUNCEMENT: UFAW Animal Welfare Conference “Recent advances in animal welfare science III” 21st June 2012 Animal welfare is a cross-disciplinary area of science that is attracting increasing interest and funding and is being widely employed to guide and inform legislation and practice relating to the use of animals. Much, however, still remains to be understood. As part of its commitment to improving the way we understand and care for animals, the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare is holding the third of a series of one-day conferences on ‘Recent advances in animal welfare science’ on 21st June 2012.

Programme details: The following speakers will be contributing talks to the conference: • Lambton SL, CJ Nicol, JL McKinstry, M Friel, J Walton and CA Weeks (University of Bristol, UK) -- Testing a • •

• • •

• • • • •

• •

management package designed to reduce injurious pecking in loose-housed commercial laying hen flocks Baker SE and DW Macdonald (University of Oxford, UK) -- Assessing the relative humaneness of vertebrate pest control methods in the UK Smulders TV, BA Robertson, O Rhys, L Holmes, MS Turner, RB D’Eath, PW Wilson, IC Dunn and T Boswell (University of Newcastle, Scottish Agricultural College and University of Edinburgh, UK) -- Food-restricted broiler breeders: Does chronic hunger lead to chronic stress?

Rowan AN and M Jones (Humane Society International, USA and UK) -- Developing benchmarks for assessing the success of dog management approaches around the world Ellwood SA, RPD Atkinson, DW Macdonald and SE Baker (University of Oxford, UK and The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, USA) -- The mechanical performance of currently unregulated spring-traps for use with rats, mice and moles Part C, J Kiddie, W Hayes, D Mills, DB Morton and LM Collins (Queen’s University Belfast, Royal Veterinary College, University of Lincoln and University of Birmingham, UK) -- Dogs at home: A comparison of welfare physiology and behaviour at home and in a boarding kennel environment de Haas EN, TB Rodenburg, J ten Napel and B Kemp (Wageningen University, The Netherlands) -- Behavioural development of feather pecking in commercial laying hens – the past or the present?

Bateson M, G Feenders and K Klaus (University of Newcastle, UK) -- Effects of hand-rearing on the cognition and behaviour of caged European starlings Leach MC, K Klaus, AL Miller, M Scotto di Perrotolo, SG Sotocinal and PA Flecknell (University of Newcastle, UK and McGill University, Canada) -- The assessment of post-vasectomy pain in mice using behaviour and the Mouse Grimace Scale Viitasaari E, L Hänninen, M Heinonen, M Raekallio and A Valros (University of Helsinki, Finland) -- The benefits of ketoprofen administered intramuscularly 3 days post partum in sows Packer RMA, A Hendricks and CC Burn (The Royal Veterinary College, UK) -- How long and low can you go? A preliminary investigation of exaggeration of back length and reduction in leg length as a risk factor for intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) Nasr MAF, J Murrell, LJ Wilkins and CJ Nicol (University of Bristol, UK and Zagazig University, Egypt) -- The effect of two classes of opioid drug on the landing ability of laying hens with and without keel fractures Hothersall B, G Caplen, CJ Nicol, AE Waterman-Pearson, CA Weeks and JC Murrell (University of Bristol, UK) -Challenges of determining links between pain and lameness in broiler chickens

There will be a poster session during the lunch break which will feature over 50 presentations. Further details, including the full programme of speakers and a registration form, can be found on the UFAW website http://www.ufaw.org.uk/ conference2012.php. Registration is from 8.30, with talks starting at 9.30 and ending at 17.10.

Other details: UFAW intends these regular conferences provides a forum at which the broad community of scientists, veterinarians and others concerned with animal welfare can come together to share knowledge and practice, discuss advances and exchange ideas and views. As part of this commitment, and to ensure that the meeting is accessible to widest range of those with an interest in animal welfare, UFAW aims to keep the registration fee to attend the conferences low, this year it is just £25.

Note: This price includes refreshments but delegates will need to make their own arrangements for lunch.

Venue: The conference is being held in York, in the medieval Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, Fossgate YO1 9XD. Located next to the pedestrianised centre of York and built in 1357, the timbered Hall and Undercroft make up one of the best preserved medieval guild halls in the world.

Background to UFAW: UFAW, the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, is an internationally-recognised, independent, scientific and educational animal welfare charity. The organization promotes high standards of welfare for farm, companion, laboratory and captive wild animals and those with which we interact in the wild.

Contact Details: Stephen Wickens, Development Officer, UFAW, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, AL4 8AN, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1582 831818; Fax: +44 (0) 1582 831414; Website: www.ufaw.org.uk; Email: wickens@ufaw.org.uk