ZPmay2012

Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organisation ISSN 0971-6378 (Print); 0973-2543 (Online)

Photo by Dr. Anil Kumar Chhangani, Jodhpur

Vol. XXVII No. 5, May 2012

Regional response to the Vulture crisis : A Symposium, See Pp. 1-4

Date of Publication: 25 May 2012

Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organisation Vol. XXVII No. 5, May 2012

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

Contents Regional response to the Vulture crisis : A Symposium, B.A. Daniel, Pp. 1-4 Efforts To Make Kanpur Zoo Polythene Free, K. Praveen Rao, Pp. 5-7 Mixing (Zoo) business with pleasure in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sally Walker, Pp. 8-9 Budapest - Ivy Zoo Symposium, May 2012, Sally Walker, P. 10 Education reports Animal Welfare Fortnightly 2012 ....

Education Reports, Pp. 11-17

Selection and Shifting of Sleeping Sites by Hanuman Langurs in Morni Hills of Haryana, See Pp. 19-23

World Forestry day celebrated by OASIS Mumbai, P. 18 Technical articles Selection and Shifting of Sleeping Sites by Hanuman Langurs in Morni Hills of Haryana, India, Girish Chopra, Madhu Bala Bhoombak & Parmesh Kumar, Pp. 19-23 New plant records for Jharkhand, C.R. Magesh, P. Lakshminarasimhan and P. Venu, Pp. 24-25 First record of Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla from Tumariya Reservoir in the Corbett landscape of District Nainital, Uttarakhand, Anushree Bhattacharjee, P. 26

New plant records for Jharkhand, See Pp. 24-25

Announcements Bats in Captivity - Volume 4: Legislation and Public Education, P.27 The 4th International Congress on Zoo Keeping 9-13 September 2012, Singapore, P. 28 International Aquarium Congress, 9-14 September 2012, Cape Town, Back cover

See Pp. 11-18 to view education reports

Regional Response to the Vulture Crisis : A Symposium B.A. Daniel* Vultures have been ever-present in South Asia; however, in recent years they virtually disappeared. It has been reported that the present vulture population is probably below ten thousand – a sharp decrease of 99.9% in the last 20 years. IUCN has listed three species viz., Gyps bengalensis, Gyps indicus and Gyps tenuirostris as Critically Endangered. Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat livestock has been identified as the cause of the vultures’ dramatic decline. If a vulture feeds on an animal that has died after a few days of being treated with diclofenac, there is a very high chance it will die.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests and Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Government of India organized a two-day Symposium on Developing a Regional Response to the Conservation of South Asia’s Critically Endangered Vulture Species, at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, 3-4 May 2012, in collaboration with Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun, Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai and IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature. A range of participants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan attended this programme.

During the inaugural of the symposium, P.R. Sinha, Director, Wildlife Institute of India welcomed the gathering and the representatives from neighbouring countries. Ms. Aban Marker Kabraji, Regional Director, IUCN Asia Regional Office, Bangkok during the inaugural address said three species of vultures endemic to South Asia that was once found in millions about 100 years ago is now Critically Endangered and declined to 99%, the cause primarily due to diclofenac.

The best way to save the species is to remove the poison and restock the species.

Dr Jagdish Kishwan, Addl. DGF (WL), Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India said that India has eight vulture breeding centres now, including all three Critically Endangered species and providing financial support through CZA. The decline of vulture population in India has been checked but restocking will require dramatically more resources and efforts to bring them back.

He stated that this symposium would not end with suggestions but would become a reality at regional level with IUCN. Member Secretary, CZA, B.S. Bonal gave the vote of thanks.

The two-day programme had five technical sessions that started with the overview of the current status of vultures Chaired by Asad Rahmani, BNHS and Cochaired by Ravi Singh, WWF India. Chris Bowden, Chair of the IUCN SSC Vulture Specialist Group gave a talk on the Vulture population trends and current status in the wild at global and regional perspectives.

He highlighted the

dramatic decline in populations of three vulture species in South Asia since the 1990s. Further surveys in India and Nepal in 2011 indicated that populations of all three species of vulture remained low, but the decline had slowed and may even have reversed for G. bengalensis, both in India and Nepal. He also reported that the most recent available information indicates that the elimination of diclofenac from the vultures’ food supply is incomplete, so further efforts are required to fully implement the ban of diclofenac.

Rhys E. Greens, University of Cambridge and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, UK presented a regional update on the use of diclofenac and other emerging veterinary formulations. His study between 2004-2008 that includes sampling before and after the ban on the veterinary use of diclofenac in India, imposed in 2006 showed little change in the prevalence and concentration of diclofenac in ungulate carcasses between the survey before the ban and the one conducted soon after its implementation. However, both the prevalence and concentration of diclofenac had fallen markedly following the implementation of the ban in 2007-2008. Continued efforts to remove diclofenac from vulture food sources are necessary for future recovery. His study in 250 veterinary and general pharmacies, after the ban on veterinary diclofenac, in 11 States in India, between November 2007 and June 2010, indicated twelve different classes of NSAIDs on sale for veterinary use in 176 pharmacies. He also said that availability of large vials of diclofenac meant for human use and containing much larger quantities of the drug than is needed for a single human dose, to pharmacies, is making the treatment of large ungulates with human diclofenac much easier than it would be if only small vials of human diclofenac were available. Of the other drugs on sale for veterinary use only meloxicam has been tested sufficiently and established that it does not cause mortality of vultures. He concluded that replacement of toxic veterinary NSAIDs by safe drugs is incomplete. The use of other drugs such s Ketoprofen may bring additional problems and mortality of vultures.

Richard Cuthbert, RSPB said, in-situ conservation efforts have focused on two main methods: the establishment of ‘vulture safe zones’ and the use of ‘vulture restaurants’.

Vulture safe zones have undertaken a broader programme of work including undertaking conservation education and advocacy programmes and most crucially eliminating the use of diclofenac and promoting meloxicam. In order to provide an effective diclofenac free area vulture safe zones must be large with a radius of at least a 100km and area 30,000 km2. Long-term monitoring of vulture numbers and accurate monitoring of the prevalence of diclofenac in ungulate carcasses and in pharmacies is essential for measuring the effectiveness of these activities for protecting vultures.

In continuation, Homi Khusrokhan, President, BNHS talked about regulations and the pharmaceutical sector. He stated that decline of vulture population can only be arrested and reversed over the years if more stringent regulations are introduced and enforced. It needs the concerned efforts of the government, environmental organisations, *

Scientist, Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, TN. E-mail: badaniel@zooreach.org

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pharmaceutical industry, practitioners of veterinary medicine and greater awareness of people engaged in farming and animal husbandry.

Mr. B.S. Bonal, CZA and Dr. Vibhu Prakash, BNHS gave an update on ex-situ vulture conservation in India. They reported that the South Asia Vulture Recovery Plan, formulated in 2004 strongly recommended the establishment of scientifically managed Conservation Breeding Programmes for the three Gyps Vultures. The CZA encouraged four zoos to adopt the breeding programmes including Sakkarbaugh Zoo (Gujarat), Van Vihar Zoological Park (MP), Nandankanan Zoological Park (Odhisa), and Nehru Zoological Park (Andhra Pradesh), by providing initial funds for the establishment of off-exhibit breeding. Dr. Vibhu gave a detailed report about the three vulture conservation breeding centres at Pinjore (Haryana), Raja Bhat Khawa (West Bengal) and Rani (Assam) constructed by the respective state governments in collaboration with the BHNS. In the second technical session, Chaired by Homi Khusrokhan, BNHS and co-chaired by B.S. Bonal, presentations were given by the four range countries of vulture to review progress in implementing national vulture recovery and action plans. Monirul Khan from Jahangirnagar University briefed on the status and conservation of vultures in Bangladesh. He reported that once common White-backed vulture population has declined sharply and now Bangladesh may hold one thousand vultures. Though veterinary use of diclofenac is banned from October 2010, the country is yet to have a national vulture Action Plan.

Maheshwar Dhakal representing Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal gave a detailed talk on vulture conservation in Nepal. The Nepal government took major steps towards banning the manufacture of diclofenac, establishing conservation breeding centres and endorsing and implementing the Vulture Conservation Action Plan. The Action Plan emphasizes both in-situ and ex-situ conservation throughout the country with strong focus on scientific research and capacity building of conservation partners and local communities. The Government of Nepal has established a Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre in Kasara, Chitwan National Park.

Pakistan representative Mr. Mushtaq Ali Memon, Secretary to the Government of Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department, Pakistan gave a detailed report on Vulture conservation status in Pakistan. According to his report a recent population survey of vultures across 77 sites in Pakistan, conducted by WWF Pakistan between November 2010 and April 2011, revealed that the active breeding of G. bengalensis and G. indicus are primarily restricted to Nagarparker area, including the Karunjhar hills along the south western border of the Sindh province.

in 2006. As part of it one of the most significant initiatives has been the BNHS_RSPB and Haryana Government Collaborative vulture conservation programme at Pinjore.

The Pinjore centre has acted as the fountain head and two more centres have been established at Buxa (WB) and Rani (Assam). Now Central Zoo Authority has established several centres in Junagadh, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad and Ranchi. A network of institutions has been constituted, including Zoological Survey of India, Central Zoo Authority, Centre for Environment Education, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Wildlife Institute of India and SACON to work collaboratively to address vulture conservation issues in a professional manner.

Day 2: Technical Session Three was chaired by Mr. Hem Pande, Joint Secretary, MoEF. Dr. B.C. Choudhury, WII gave a welldefined talk entitled Birds and Ecosystem with Special Reference to Vultures. He listed a series of multiple ecosystem services provided by birds in general such as: Insect pest control in agriculture and forestry, control of vermin and other potential creatures, pollination of flowers, seed dispersal and regeneration of forest trees, food for man, manures, bio-indicators, aerodynamic studies, traditionally used as messengers in communication, use of feathers, aesthetic and recreational values and scavenging in urban, rural and wilderness environments. Vultures as scavengers contribute a variety of ecological services in different ecological settings. They keep the wilderness healthy and hygienic, assist managers in locating kills, as well as dying and diseased vulnerable prey, facilitates terrestrial scavengers in their feeding ecology, and controls spread of wild disease pathogens, particularly important in grassland, desert, savannah, and dry deciduous scrub forest. In rural and urban landscapes as a scavenger vulture is a major contributor in rapid ingress and disposal of livestock carcasses from the human landscape, assists and keeps landfills, abattoirs and other such facilities free from livestock carcass remains and compliments the sun light dependent natural decomposition of carcasses.

Counting the cost of vulture decline related ecological services provided, he highlighted the study report of Markandya 2008, and stated that an increase in the population of feral dogs and other human commensal, facultative scavengers and disease spread to humans and domestic livestock and their management cost was estimated to be $ 34 bn. over the year 1993-2006.

Additional cultural cost to the Parsi sects which rely on vulture for corpse cleaning was estimated to be $ 1.6 mn. during the same period.

Mr. Khojeste P. Mistree, Bombay Parsi Panchayat gave a talk entitled, Vultures in the Parsi Tradition. He explained briefly the innate link between conservation beliefs underlying classical Zoroastrian theology and what is today referred to

Dr. P.C. Tyagi, Faculty, WII delivered the status report of vulture conservation in India. He stated that the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by the Prime Minister, made a resolution in March 2005 ‘to take steps to phase out veterinary diclofenac within six months’. Several interministerial initiations have also focused on streamlining the loose ends to control the use of human diclofenac in the veterinary sector, as well as to promote alternate safe veterinary drugs as a substitute for diclofenac. India formulated the National Action Plan for Vulture Conservation

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as ecology. In addition to the Zoroastrian theological paradigm he briefly explained the cardinal principles of the faith such as dualism, the saws of purity and the belief that the negation of life is the temporary triumph of evil over the forces of good. He also explained the unusual method of disposal of the dead through exposure to the sun and birds of prey as an ecology reality, as practiced by the Parsis. He said the importance of the vulture and its role with regard to the disposal of Parsi corpses, where Towers of Silence are in use, not only fulfils the religious needs of the Parsis but also is an inherent commitment to promote conservation and ecology by a miniscule urban community living in Mumbai.

Vibhu Prakash, spoke on the BNHS initiative on the Tower of Silence. He explained that it is possible to bring the vultures back to the Towers of Silence by initiating a vulture conservation breeding programme. The breeding programme at the Towers of Silence will contribute significantly to the nation-wide programme of Gyps species of vultures. Initially it will be tried with the surrogate species, Himalayan Griffon, which is still common and subsequently, on successful keeping, White-backed vulture and Long-billed vulture will be kept. The onus of making sure that the cadavers do not contain the drug diclofenac will be on the community, which can easily be achieved through an active awareness programme within the community.

Panjrapoles are traditional cattle camps run by the Jain community in Gujarat. Kartik Shastri, Bird Conservation Society, Gujarat highlighted the potential role which can play in the conservation of vultures. It has been observed that vulture populations are higher in the regions of Gujarat where there are permanent feeding sites of Panjrapoles (carcass dump sites). Building upon these traditional institutions as a strategy could prove highly beneficial for vulture conservation.

Mr. B.M.S. Rathore, Joint Secretary, MoEF and Mr. S.K. Patnaik, Member CZA chaired technical session four. As part of this session, Chief Wildlife Wardens of different States of India presented the status of vulture conservation initiates.

Mr. Sharma, CWW, Orissa; Mr. M.A. Waheed, Curator and DCF, Hyderabad Zoo, Mr. S.K. Goyal, PCCW (WL), Gujarat, Mr. A.K. Malhotra, CWW, Jharkand; Mr. R.K. Sapra, CWW, Harynana; Mr. Satpal Dhiman, DFO, Shillong, and Dr. Sharma, IVRI presented their reports on the status of vulture conservation and initiatives in their respective states.

Technical session 5 was chaired by Ms. Aban Marker Kabraji IUCN Asia and R.K. Jakarti. This session had two presentations. Ms. Nita Shah spoke on the role of advocacy in vulture conservation. Advocacy has significantly contributed to the major achievements in vulture conservation in India. Intense outreach, advocacy, ground work, dialogues, initiatives with multiple concerned ministries of Health, Agriculture, Commerce, Chemical and Fertilizers and research assisted in formulation and making of policies.

In continuation of this Dr Scott Perkin, Head, Regional Biodiversity Conservation Programme IUCN, spoke on Current regional initiatives on vulture conservation and the way forward. He reviewed the potential for a new regional vulture conservation programme in South Asia. The status of existing regional vulture conservation and recovery initiatives, including the activities of SAVE (Save Asia’s Vultures from Extinction). The talk was also synthesized the recommendations for regional action that have emerged from the discussion and presentations over the course of the two-day symposium.

Dr Jagdish Kishwan, Additional DGF (WL), MoEF, Government of India, chaired the concluding session and Ms. Aban Marker Kabraji, Regional Director, IUCN Asia Regional Office, Bangkok acted as the co chair. Dr. T.P. Singh, Deputy Regional Director, IUCN Asia Regional Office presented the regional declaration on vulture conservation.

At the end of the symposium, a regional declaration of vulture conservation was presented and adapted by the representatives of all four governments and the participants (Appendix I). A regional Steering Committee also was proposed.

Appendix I Regional Declaration on the Conservation of South Asia’s Critically Endangered Vulture Species Delhi, 4 May 2012 We, the Government Representatives taking part in the Symposium on Developing a Regional Response to the Conservation of South Asia’s Critically Endangered Vulture Species, held in Delhi from 3-4 May 2012, hereby adopt this regional declaration: Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Government of India, Government of Nepal, Government of Pakistan RECALLING that vultures are specialized scavengers that provide a critically important ecosystem service by removing carcasses of livestock and wild animals, and carrion from the environment; FURTHER RECALLING that vultures are an integral part of the cultures of South Asian countries, and play a central role in several of the region’s ancient religious traditions; RECOGINZING that South Asia’s populations of long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus), slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) and white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) have declined by more than 99 per cent since the early 1990s; NOTING that IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed all three species as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List;

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FURTHER NOTING that IUCN called for urgent measures to be taken to conserve these species, in Resolution 3.079 on the Conservation of Gyps Species of Vultures in South and Southeast Asia, adopted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Bangkok in 2004;

3)

CREATE AND MAINTAIN a non-toxic environment for vultures, by: Removing diclofenac and other toxic NSAIDs • completely from the vulture food chain, through measures including enhanced enforcement of the ban on veterinary use of diclofenac and eliminating its “leakage” from human use by urgent measure and legislation as appropriate against multi-dose vials of human diclofenac; Identifying and preventing the veterinary use of • other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with similar toxicity to vultures as diclofenac, such as ketoprofen and aceclofenac (a pro-drug of diclofenac); Continuing efforts to identify, promote and adopt • safe alternatives to diclofenac, such as meloxicam; Monitoring and assessing the impacts and effects of • other livestock drugs on vultures, leading to active steps for preventing use of the drugs that have negative impacts on vultures; Fully enforcing the legal ban on the manufacture of • veterinary formulations, retail sale and use for veterinary purposes of diclofenac.

4)

STRENGTHEN in-situ conservation measures, by: Increasing the number, size and effectiveness of • national “vulture safe zones” within which special efforts are made to remove all toxic veterinary drugs from the food chain of vultures; Cooperating to create trans-boundary vulture safe • zones, knowing that political borders do not stop vultures from crossing international borders while searching for food; Enhancing the protection and management of • vulture habitats and vulture roosting and nesting sites.

5)

CONTINUE AND EXPAND strategically-designed awareness and advocacy campaigns, aimed at building support for vulture conservation amongst all stakeholders at local, national, regional and international levels.

6)

STRENGTHEN monitoring and research, by: Continuing and expanding efforts to monitor vulture • populations and breeding success on a regular and repeatable basis using road transect surveys and nest monitoring; Continuing and expanding efforts to monitor and • quantify diclofenac and other toxic drugs in cattle1 carcasses; Determining the safely and toxicity of veterinary • NSAIDs, if necessary by experiments on captive vultures; Promoting studies on all possible causes of decline • of wild vulture populations; Promoting studies on vulture behaviour and • ecology.

7)

CONTINUE to develop and foster active partnerships amongst Governments, research institutions, civil society, private sector and international organizations to further accelerate vulture conservation in the region

RECALLING Aichi Biodiversity Target 12, which calls for all countries and stakeholders to prevent the extinction of known threatened species by 2020 and to improve the conservation status of those species most in decline; FURTHER NOTING that these rapid declines have been caused by human activities, in particular, the use of diclofenac (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) in the livestock sector; COMMENDING the important steps that have already been taken by Governments, scientific bodies, non-governmental organizations, international organizations and the private sector, including: The ban on veterinary diclofenac in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan; The establishment of conservation breeding centres in India, Nepal and Pakistan; The initiation of “vulture safe zones” together with safe vulture feeding sites in several countries; Promoting research and monitoring of the vulture population.

FURTHER COMMENDING the activities of SAVE (Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction) and its members for their notable contributions to vulture conservation in the region; RECOGNIZING the need to intensify and significantly expand the aforesaid efforts in order to ensure the recovery of South Asia’s wild vulture populations; ALSO RECOGNIZING that there is an important need for enhanced regional collaboration, information sharing, exchange of experiences and lesions learned on conservation of vultures in South Asia; We, the participants at the symposium on Developing a Regional Response to the Conservation of South Asia’s Critically Endangered Vulture Species, held in Delhi from 3-4 May 2012, hereby agree to:

1)

STRENGTHEN regional cooperation, by: Establishing a South Asian Regional Steering • Committee for Vulture Conservation; Taking active steps to enhance information sharing • and exchange of experience among all vulture range countries, in all aspects of in-situ and ex-situ vulture conservation in South Asia.

2)

STRENGTHEN vulture conservation breeding and reintroduction programmes, by: Ensuring rapid dissemination of information relating • to successful techniques and approaches amongst all centres in the region; Seeking to maintain and increase the level of • financial and technical support for conservation breeding received from Governments, international organizations and donors, so as to deliver the objectives for the annual production of captive-bred young; Planning and implementing the necessary measures • required at release sites.

1

refers to all domesticated ungulates

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Efforts To Make Kanpur Zoo Polythene Free K. Praveen Rao, IFS* Introduction Polythene is popularly known as plastic. It is a polymer derived from the ethylene molecules. Ethylene molecule has carbon and hydrogen and the scientific formula is C2H2. The two carbons are joined by a double bond and the hydrogen atoms are attached to each carbon by a single bond. The ethylene molecules are joined repeatedly to form long chains called polymers. Polythene was discovered in 1933 by Reginald Gibson and Eric Fawcett at the British industrial giant Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI).

The polythene is variously classified on the basis of density and branching of the chains. They are named as Ultra High Molecular Weight Polythene (UHMWPE), High Density Polythene (HDPE), Low Density Polythene (LDPE), Medium Density Polythene (MDPE) and Very Low Density Polythene (VLDPE)etc., Various articles are made with polythene, to name a few plastic bags, bottles, containers, boxes etc.,

Replacing polythene bags with carry bags

Advantages The polythene has many advantages like it is light weight packaging material, helpful in food preservation, these require less energy for moulding, low cost, easy to carry, water proof, it being corrosion proof can be used in water supply systems.

Disadvantages Polythene is not biodegradable, and clogs the drains which in turn create water stagnation and create a flood like situation. Polythene when consumed by cattle gets choked in the intestine and leads to the death of animal. If dumped in the soil causes harm to the plant life, as the toxic substances of polythene get blocked among the soil particles. Polythene threatens the life in the water bodies. The chemicals in polythene affect the survival of flora and fauna of the aquatic and marine eco systems.

In most households poly bags are used to preserve food items. It has been found out, the colourful poly bags contain lead and cadmium which are toxic and cause adverse effects to human health. When burnt in open air Hydrogen cyanide which is carcinogenic (cancer causing) is released, which causes environmental and health hazards. The pipes when used in direct sunlight get degraded due to UV light. These are not resistant to oxidizing acids, ketones and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Various articles take various amounts

Checking at the main gate

of time to decompose in normal environmental conditions. The glass bottles require one million years, the plastic bottles six hundred years, aluminium cans around one hundred fifty years, tin cans fifty years, news paper six weeks, orange or banana peel four weeks and soon. Thus the polythene is not biodegradable and the polybags of less than 40 microns are

banned in different states, due to their environmental pollution.

Polythene and other non biodegradable materials in Zoo situations The visitors come to the zoo for recreation and educating their children regarding wild animals. The families plan for an entire day picnic at the zoo.

With the increase of importance to

*

Conservator/ Director, Kanpur Zoological Garden, Kanpur.

E-mail: praveenraokoli@yahoo.com

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Table 1. One week survey on polythene use inside the zoo by the visitors

S.No

1

Date

2 14th July 15th July 16th July 17th July 19th July 20th July 21st July Total

No of Visitor s

No of tokens issued at main gate

No of tokens returned at main gate

Diff

No of tokens issued at Canteen

No of tokens returned at Canteen

Diff

3 1258 1291 1057 2291 1131 984 861 8873

4 91 72 70 166 84 67 46 596

5 89 71 64 158 82 63 46 573

6 2 1 6 8 2 4 0 23

7 11 23 02 10 22 08 11 87

8 10 21 02 10 22 06 10 81

9 1 2 0 0 0 2 1 6

hygiene presently more and more disposable items are being used. Due to the inclination of city dwellers towards branded eatables, soft drinks, packaged drinking water bottles and fruits juices the demand for packing materials is increasing and these are being used indiscriminately. The polythene being more user friendly, cost effective, easy to mould it is the most used packaging material.

Polythene in the form of packing materials for chips, popcorn, cooked gravy vegetables, food items, chocolate wrappers, biscuit packets, carry bags for the food articles, pet water bottles for drinking water, canned cool drink, drinking water glasses etc., enter the zoo premises.

Apart from the polythene other materials like canned soft drink where aluminium is used, tetra packs which have an outer covering of paper and inside is lined with aluminium also enter the zoo.

After eating the food products and drinking water and other soft drinks, the bottles and other packaging wrappers are disposed off here and there inside the zoo. Though dust bins have been placed in various locations the visitors do not take pain even to approach the dust bins. Once the garbage is thrown in the open ground in the lawns and the places where they are sitting, the free ranging birds like crows raid the premises in search of the left out food materials. This gives the look of an open garbage collection centre. In Kanpur Zoological Park, free ranging spotted deer are present.

Even these animals come in contact with the garbage and sometimes eat the polythene which becomes fatal as it chokes the intestine.

The visitors some time create vandalism by throwing the empty water bottles inside the enclosures.

The animals innocently come for them

and consume the polythene and the pet bottles. The polythene being non biodegradable will not be digested and may choke the alimentary canal of the animals leading to their death. In Kanpur Zoological Park the incidents of vandalism are mostly seen at the enclosures of Muggar and Himalayan Black bear. The nature of mugger is to keep itself in same posture for a long duration. They keep their mouth opened and regulate the temperature of the body. If the mouth is open it keeps the mouth open for longer time, hardly blinking the eyes. The visitors feel that the animal in the enclosure is not a real one and is a statue. Thus for knowing the fact the visitor tends to throw the pet water bottle on the face of the animal thus injuring it.

Himalyan black bear is also vulnerable because it comes near to the visitors and when the pet cold drink bottles are thrown it gets attracted towards them.

Thus it might be detrimental to the health of the animal. Many a times the zoo administration and the supervisory

Bottles which might have been left in zoo(6+9) 10 3 3 6 8 2 6 1 29

staff resort to punishing visitors for littering the zoo premises and for the acts of vandalism according to 38 J of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. But this cannot be an ultimate solution.

Because day by day the usage of polythene is on the rise creating more problems.

The situation in the zoological park was pathetic three years back. Every day many bottles were brought to the zoo.

The visitors use to throw them after the visit. A study was conducted recently to know the amount of polythene being controlled. The details of one week survey has been tablulated in Table -1.

Similarly packaging materials in the form of chips wrappers, kurkure wrappers and snacks wrappers also enter the zoo premises and they are thrown after eating. A survey was conducted for one week to know the amount of polythene that enters the

Polythene garbage at the end of the day

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Table 2. Survey on polythene carried inside the zoo by the visitors

S.No

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Date

22-07-2011 23-07-2011 24-07-2011 26-07-2011 27-07-2011 28-07-2011 29-07-2011 Total

No of paper bags issued at the main gate 58 82 282 84 76 72 71 725

zoo. The results have been tabulated in the Table-2 The Table-1 shows that on an average 98 pet bottles/ cool drink bottles enter the zoo each day. This is the figure of summer months and the number of visitors during winter is double than that of summer months and if the ratio of usage of the bottles is same then about two hundred bottles enter the zoo during winters. After the visit almost all bottles were thrown inside the zoo by the visitors. During the week days the sweepers will be in a position to clean the enclosures and clean the roads. It was very difficult for the sweeping staffs to clear all the pet water bottles/ Cool drink bottles and polythene bags which are to be handpicked. Most of these bottles and the polythene bags use to remain on the sides of the roads. Only on Mondays when the zoo is closed for the visitors intensive measures for clearing the zoo from polythene garbage was undertaken. But after working for the entire day it was next to impossible to clear the entire zoo premises from the pet bottles and polythene as they use to remain clinged to bushes and inside the bushes. If one or two sweepers are absent in any part of the zoo that area use to appear like a big garbage dump.

Strategy to control polythene pollution Initially the polythene and other items that are brought in to the zoo were analysed and categorised as 1- Pet water bottles, cold drink bottles, cold drink cans, glass cold drink bottles, plastic glasses for drinking water 2- the chips wrappers, biscuit packets, chocolate wrappers, LDPE polythene bags for packing vegetables and other eatables.

3- big polythene bags for packaging food.

Visitors bring Water in big five litre kool kegs and other bottles which are separately purchased from market to keep in refrigerator. These bottles are brought by the visitors and they are taken back after the visit. The pet bottles like packaged drinking water bottles, cold drink bottles, cold drink tetra packs are purchased and thrown after drinking.

These add to the garbage and pollution of zoo environment.

For controlling this, token system has been introduced. For each pet water bottle, cold drink bottle, cold drink can, a deposit token is issued to the visitor. The cost of the token is kept as rupees ten. Thus a deposit of Rs. ten is collected from the visitor. The visitor after moving around the zoo gets back the empty water bottle, cold drink can or cold drink bottle and is shown at the main gate, the token is returned to the staff at the main gate, the deposit money is returned. The drinking water glasses also are made of plastic. For replacing them paper glasses are put at the main gate. These are sold at no loss no profit basis.

Similarly big polythene bags which are used for putting the packed food materials is also thrown inside the zoo premises after eating the food. For replacing the big

No of paper bags issued at the canteen

Total no of bags issued

10 14 25 11 13 16 14 103

68 96 307 95 89 88 85 828

polythene bags carry bags were required. The local people were persuaded to gift them. Goldie Masale PVT Ltd and Ms Garima Pathak of Radio Mirchi have donated three hundred carry bags initially. These bags came very handy. Each carry bag is given to the visitor after collecting a security deposit of rupees twenty. The packed food materials were transferred in to the carry bag. The visitors after the visit has to bring back the carry bag and deposit at the main gate and collect back his deposit amount. This reduced the trouble of big polythene bags being thrown in the zoo premises.

In the third place the chips wrappers, the biscuit wrappers etc., were most difficult to control. To control paper bags, a nominal price can be put at the main gate, but collecting that small amount from each visitor was difficult. Hence Paper bags were received as gift from the donors and are distributed to visitors free of cost. The chips wrappers are opened at the gate and transferred in to the paper bags.

Thus the chips wrappers do not enter the premises at all.

In addition to it the vendors opposite to the zoo were persuaded to pack the eatables in eco-friendly packing only.

These vendors usually give the chips and other eatables in paper bags only.

After this was introduced initially there was much resistance from the visitors to deposit security amount with the main gate. Visitors use to think that the security deposit is a fee being collected for taking the pet bottles inside. The ticket checkers had to convince the visitors that the security money is not a fee but it will be refunded once the empty bottles are brought back and shown at the main gate and the token is returned then their security amount will be returned. Gradually the visitors were convinced after seeing the cleanliness inside the zoo, after implementing the polythene ban.

A Radio Jockey from Radio Mirchi has come to the zoo on the very next day of the implementation of polythene ban and introduction of security tokens. I requested her to visit the zoo premises with me. Even I too was not sure whether the system introduced by us was successful or not. It was Monday morning and it was holiday for the zoo. In the morning hours the sweeping of the houses was going on, roads were yet to be cleaned. But when we moved inside the zoo and travelled a distance of about three kilometres inside the zoo, the radio jockey could not find even a single pet bottle on the road side. RJ has asked me to stop and send a message to their radio station to record this success.

This was a pride moment for me. I realised that the step taken was successful.

Presently if we analyse the above Table if 100 bottles are entering the zoo only four or less bottles are remaining inside the zoo. Now the zoo is polythene free.

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Mixing (Zoo) business with pleasure in Buenos Aires, Argentina Sally Walker* Recently on 17 April, CBSG, ISIS and WAZA convened at the chosen site of Buenos Aires to conduct their annual Mid-Year meetings and to get to know Argentine and other South American zoos and zoo personnel better.

CBSG Strategic Committee met at the beautiful Temaiken Zoo by their invitation. During the morning and up to 4 pm we ploughed through the Agenda with a review of the last meeting, the Species Survival Committee Report, and other CBSG committee reports. There was a special presentation on Temaiken’s conservation activities.

After a delicious and lavish lunch we met again to cover Task Force Reports, some of which were Branding, Structured Decision-making, Ex-situ project prioritization, Conservation Welfare and Corporate Engagement Guidelines. Afterwards we convened in two working groups, Branding and Conservation Welfare. After coffee there were discussions on the Annual meeting, CBSG’s next “big idea”, working group reports, the Ulie Seal Award and success stories.

New educational signage inaugurated during WAZA visit to Buenos Aires Zoo

At 4 pm we were taken on a mini tour of some of the zoo sections, such as the bird aviary. We marveled at the beautiful layout, naturalistic enclosures, health of the animals and the care taken to construct this beautiful zoo. It was a great day.

The next day was the ISIS meeting which gave a few of us a free day. The government authority over zoos had invited a visit from WAZA to discuss problems and issues of mutual interest so those who had indicated interest attended, Jorg Jungholt, WAZA President; Gerald Dick WAZA Ex. Officer, Dave Morgan, Chair of the Population Management Committee and myself, Associations Chair. After the meeting we were turned over to Paolo, a charming individual who helps zoos with their animal transport, and knew “everything” about Buenos Aires.

We had a wonderful experience of how Argentines live. We set out at lunchtime which we thought was noon and were taken to the famous “Fishing Club” of Buenos Aires and learned what lunch was like in this lovely country … lunch lasts about 5 hours! After lunch we visited the oldest zoo in the country, the Buenos Aires Zoo.

WAZA President and Executive Officer with Telmaiken staff

Kids play archeologist at dinosaur display in the Temaiken Zoo *

Founder/Director, Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

E-mail: sallyrwalker@zooreach.org

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Buenos Aires Zoo reminded me a lot of our Mysore Zoo in India. Even some of the constructions were just the same, like the bandstand where a live band used to entertain visitors to the zoo on Sundays.

The following day was for our Mid-Year WAZA Council Meeting which can’t be shared due to its protocol. The day after that we had a WAZA Strategic Workshop where we discussed plans and programmes for the next few years. These two days meetings of WAZA were special as it was the first time for newly elected WAZA President, Dr. Jorg Jungholt, to preside over the meeting.

Elephant house at Buenos Aires Zoo

Argentina is known for its outstanding meat and we probably overdosed on it as it is the best in the world and we ate steak every night. The last day was a tour of the entire Teimakin Zoo where we were so happy to see such a beautifully organized and executed zoo. We were also happy to go some distance away to the zoo’s off-site breeding and research centre. The following day we went our separate ways … home, other meetings and other tours. It was a great way to do business while enjoying every minute.

Many thanks to our Argentine hosts.

Argentine culture 5 hour lunches make for great camaraderie

One of many beautiful exhibits at Telmaiken

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Budapest - Ivy Zoo Symposium, May 2012 Sally Walker* The first “Ivy Zoo” Symposium was conducted over 15 years ago at the lovely, old, Budapest Zoo in the Buda section of the City of Budapest. For years passionate zoo historians have waited for the second “Ivy Zoo” Symposium which finally came to pass. An “Ivy Zoo” is a zoo that is a century or more old. Directors from dozens of Ivy Zoos attended and presented on how their Ivy Zoo has been renovated to become a modern zoo with benefits. The old buildings are often “listed” by governments and can’t be torn down, providing incentive and inspiration for innovation. Many of these were reviewed. Participants other than directors of historic zoos were zoo professionals, historians, journalists, architects, zoo designers and others working with zoos.

The first three sessions consisted of 30 minute presentations but the fourth session was a working session.

Participants divided into three groups and toured three sections of the Budapest Zoo which needed renovation. Then they sat in working groups and prepared their designs and reports which were communicated to the larger group. Miklos had organized this same type of exercise in the first Symposium but at that time the theme had to do solely with the “big rock” which was constructed decades ago as a public works project. Miklos said both sessions were very helpful.

Jorg and colleague design a way to renovate the front entrance

Patrons of the Symposium were the World Associations of Zoos and

Working group observing needy spaces in the zoo which require renovation

Aquariums (WAZA), Jorg Junhold, Director of Leipzig Zoo (133 years old), Dagmar Schratter, Director of Schonbrunn Zoo (259 years) considered the oldest zoo in the world, David Field, Director of London Zoo, Jenny Gray, CEO of Zoos Victoria running the 149 years old Melbourne

Zoo, and Kevin Bell CEO of the 143 years old Lincoln Park Zoo. Dr. Miklos Persanyi, Director of Budapest Zoo and brain behind the first Ivy Zoo Symposium was the Host and Bea Golovanova of Congressline Ltd. was the organizer.

*

Giant caterpillar chases the author in the almost completed science centre

Founder/Director, Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

E-mail: sallyrwalker@zooreach.org

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Animal Welfare Fortnightly 2012 .... Education Reports Animal Welfare Fortnightly at Mumbai Zoo As a part of various educational activities, Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan conducted three programmes during Animal welfare Fortnightly 2012. Twenty school students and a teacher participated in each programme. Poorva Byculla Municipal Secondary School participated in the programme on 17, 24 and 27 January from 10.30am to 1.30pm. The following activities were carried out.

An introductory presentation about role of zoos in wildlife conservation, protection and education as per National Zoo Policy was given for creating love, interest and awareness among them. A guided tour was conducted to show the zoo animals in the zoo. An emphasis was given on how to “observe” the animals in terms of their external characteristics.

Then presentation and demonstration of education materials received from Zoo Outreach Organisation was organised. The education packets titled Bears, Forest and Biodiversity, Frogs are part of Biodiversity, Bats and Biodiversity and the posters All Animals Alert and Lion-tailed Macaque were demonstrated to the participants with the brief information about threat to these important species and their role and importance in ecology. These materials were distributed to the participants and they were informed about how to use them to educate other students in their school. An interactive question and answer session, rakhi-tying ceremony was conducted thereafter. The programme was a grand success, the students and teachers expressed that the programme helped in creating awareness in their minds about the importance of protection of wildlife in general and role of zoos in conservation in particular. They also wished that more such programmes should be conducted in future.

Director of the Zoo presented participation certificates. Submitted by: Mr. A.M. Anjankar, Director. Email: <vjbudyanzoo@yahoo.co.in>

APOWA Odisha celebrates Animal Welfare Fortnight 2012 APOWA (Action for Protection of Wild Animals) has been celebrating Animal welfare Fortnight from 14th January to 31st January each year since its inception in Odisha. Our main aim is to create awareness, to treat animals

Students at the zoo during guided tour

Zoo’s education materials demonstrated to the students

with respect to kindness and compassion. During Animal Welfare Fortnight 2012 a series of animal welfare programmes were conducted

by APOWA as reported below:

also explained how to communicate the values of kindness to animals to children in their daily life. Thirty-two teachers participated in the programme.

14 January 2012: Teachers’ Training Programme on Animal Welfare: A teachers’ training programme was organized at APOWA office premises on the inauguration day of the Animal Welfare Fortnight. Dr. Laxman Behera, ex-Director, Animal Resource Devt.

Dept. Govt of Odisha inaugurated the fortnight programme. Animal welfare was the main subject discussed. The session was more interactive with the teachers giving their inputs throughout the programme. The teachers were

21-22 January 2012: Eco tour for School Students to Bhitarkanika National Park: The 48 eco club students and 12 green teachers from ten different schools were taken on action-packed field tour to Barunei forests under Bhitarkanika National Park on 21 and 22 January, 2012.

Throughout the tour the students were led by experienced biologists to learn about the history, biology, mangrove ecology etc. Our main tool in nature camp was nature experiences; explore

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the wonder of mangroves, exposure to marine and its resources, nature games and activities. The two-day programmes include environment research, interaction with environment experts, hands on activities, creative challenges and enriching exposure visits, beach clean activity, bird watch etc.

Pledging by tying rakhi to care for wildlife

Live Experience to contact with Animals and Birds at Barunei Forest: Barunei has rich ecology surrounded with sea, dense mangrove and casuarina forests. Apart from the flora and fauna, Barunei has one of the most beautiful river mouth systems.

Jackals, hyena, Red jungle fowl, crocodiles, spotted deer, wild boar, reptiles, river dolphins etc abound in the area. It is also a paradise for migratory birds. It’s nearest beach Pentha-Dobandi is known for Olive Ridley sea turtle’s nesting ground. The entire region is a treasure trove of ecoeducation.

Day 1: After one and half an hour journey by boat from Rajnagar all the participants were assembled at Barunei forest. Gopinath Dash, Eco club master trainer and Bijaya Kabi, Director, APOWA started the programme with a brief orientation about the programme. The students were divided into three groups with three local river’s name i.e. Brahmani, Baitarani and Hansua, which was lead

by Gopinath Dash, Manoj Ku Satapathy and Bijaya Ku Kabi respectively. Three eco club teachers assisted the group leaders.

Students playing mini skit on animal welfare

Studying about Mangroves in Barunei forests

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Exploring the Wonder of Nature…All three groups were taken to the nearest forest to learn about environment and its services. There they explore several types of mangroves and other tidal-zone vegetation, studied root system of mangroves, its life cycle and discussed their importance in Nature. The participants were able to see up close the vital role that mangrove forest and wetlands play, such as homes for wildlife like birds, crocodiles, spotted deers etc. Students were also observed how mangroves roots are a refuge for smaller fish and how they provide such a good barrier against coastal erosion. This activity was conducted under the guidance of their group leaders.

Beach Experience…In the afternoon session, the participants had a chance to visit the Pentha-Dobandi beach, which is also one of the major sea turtle nesting ground to learn its

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ecology and to discuss what they found from the beach and how they were linked to the natural system. The students and teachers were also got chance to observe the sea turtle hatchery at Dobandi. The students were also participated in a beach clean activity. Two experts Mr. Binod Acharya and Mr. Suvendu Behera were joined with the participants and interacted with them in the late afternoon.

Evening Programme…After a quick break all the participants were gathered at campsite for evening session. The camp participants enthusiastically participated in evening cultural programmes held within the camp venue. Forest range officers from local forest department, Mr. Binod Acharya and Mr. Suvendu Behera shared their field experience with participants, which was heartening.

The students shared their experience and memorable moments of the camp too, which they are going to remember for a long time to come. Ending the first day with group presentation and recommendations by three group leaders.

explained the role and duty of students in Kindness Club activities. Mr. Bijaya Kumar Kabi, Director, APOWA insisted students to show kindness towards all living beings. He also explained the nutritional values of vegetarian diet. A total of 162 students participated in the programme.

Acknowledgement: APOWA thankful to Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore, for suppling very attractive and useful educational materials for Animal Welfare Fortnight.

We would also like to thank Mangrove Forest Division (WL), Rajnagar, all the participating schools, teachers and our volunteer team for their cooperation.

Submitted by: Bijaya Kumar Kabi, Email: mail@apowa.org.

AWF celebration report of International Animal & Birds Welfare Society, Anantapur, AP IA & BWS celebrated Animal Welfare Fortnight 2012 very grandly and usefully. This year we conducted

programmes in seven schools and 425 children participated in the programmes. Our first programme was conducted at M.P.U School, Duddebanda Village of Penukonda Mandal. Our Educational Officer Mrs. Ramiza explained about the importance of wildlife in the nature and role of students to protect them. She asked all students to take pledge to save the nature and to help wildlife live in the forest. ZOO educational materials were distributed and they wore animal masks and played games by climbing trees. Finally the best-performed students were awarded with gifts. The second programme was held at Pragathi English Medium School, Penukonda. We conducted essay writing and elocution competitions on wildlife welfare and importance of protecting natural resources. The first three winners were awarded with prizes. Third programme was conducted at Santhiniketan E.M.School Penukonda, there we conducted art and quiz competitions on animal welfare. At Z.P.H.School, Guttur

Day 2: The day started with the morning activity “Bird Watching”. The students identified the birds with the help of bird experts. It was a unique learning experience for them. In the mean time, the participants visited Sasanapeta and interacted with some marine fishermen and gathered information about endangered olive Ridley sea turtles.

Followed by a game an interactive planned with Mr. Chandan Jani, wildlife biologist from Wildlife Institute of India. He explained the various components of ecosystems such as plants, insects, animals, birds etc. to the participants.

Participants with zoo materials

Promise to Conserve Nature and Wildlife…Before the end of the programme, the students participated in a rakhi tying activity and took oaths to protect nature and wildlife. At the end of the day, students and teachers were encouraged to write about their experiences.

31 January 2012: Students Training Programme on Animal Welfare: The highlight of this programme was the wide range of enthusiasts. Ms. Satyabhama Das, Asst. Headmaster of the school delivered an inspiring speech. In her speech, she highlighted the prevention of cruelty to animals and animal welfare. Mr. Manoj Satapathy, Eco club in-charge teacher

Playing a game related to animal welfare

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another animal welfare programme was convened. Forty students of class IX attended the programme. A presentation and question and answers session on animal welfare were held. In the Z.P.H.School, Roddam programme, we conducted games using ZOO education kits and Educational Officer Mr. Banu handled the session. In the middle of the games he explained about the importance of the wildlife and how to protect them. Children really enjoyed the games and learned a lot. We also conducted programmes in Z.P.H.School, Beedupalli and M.P.U School, Guttur. Here we conducted art and quiz competitions. Our special thanks to Zoo outreach organization for the education kits. Submitted by: G. Manjunath. Email: iaabws@gmail.com

Teachers posing with AWF posters

Dilip Chakravarthy leading an awareness session on dancing bears

Bat awareness programme conducted at Rajpur school

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CEE Madhya Pradesh Animal Welfare Fortnightly 2012 awareness programmes Animal Welfare Fortnight is a popular event celebrated every year for over 50 years in India in the last two weeks of January i.e. 14 -31 January. Animal Welfare Board of India AWBI organizes the event. Zoo Outreach Organization and other sponsors help educators of all kinds use the event to create awareness by providing complimentary educational material. The material developed for specific animal is oriented toward both conservation and welfare.

Centre for Environment Education, CEE Madhya Pradesh State Office, Bhopal conducted 5 programmes using the materials to create an enjoyable and meaningful experience for school students and participants. CEE representative Mr. Dilip Chakravarty, Project Officer organized specific lecture on Bear, Monkey, Frog, Amphibians and Bats to the selected 5 schools (class VI to X) of Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh. He highlighted the animal welfare components in the kit/packets developed by Zoo Outreach organization. The emphasis was given on the fact that if all wildlife conservation practiced properly, it benefits the domestic and wild animals in the long term. Mr. Joseph Kujur, CEE facilitated the sessions. On 27 January a bear awareness programme was conducted at Servite Convent Higher Secondary School, Hosangabad, M.P for 500 students and 10 teachers.

On the same day another programme was held at Shantinikatan Montessori Sr. Sec. School Hoshangabad, M.P. The

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theme of the programme was monkeys and 200 students and 5 teachers participated. On 28 Jan, frog awareness programme was held at SNG Higher Secondary School, Hosangabad. One hundred and fifty students and 10 teachers participated.

Another amphibian awareness programme was held at Government Boy's and Girl's School, Koti Bajar, Hosangabad and 80 students plus 5 teachers took part in it. One more programme was arranged on bats at Govt. High School, Raipur, Hosangabad and 150 students and 10 teachers benefitted out of this programme.

Each programme lasted for an hour.

Introduction about ZOO and CEE were given to the participants for about 10 minutes and detailed information about each animal was given about 30 minutes. The students and teachers used another 20 minutes for demonstrating the education kits and their usage. Session on wildlife or animals is very much interest of students and teachers as the programmes on such theme are not organised frequently in schools. The materials available with the organisers were limited so it was used in activity mode to involve all students as a whole. Students took oath for not harming the animal by using Flap Card or Pledge Card. Group of students was called for tying of Rakhi and take message to conserve and protect the animals. Stickers were given to students to use as an attraction to animal. Animal Mascot is used to resemble the animal and think of it.

Information Booklet was generally given to teachers for further followup of the programmes in the schools. The interactive AWF poster developed was given to those students who answered on the question asked on animals.

This was to bring attention and sincere listening of participants during the programme. Submitted by: Dilip

Amphibian awareness programme in progress

Students learning about South Asian Primates

Chakravarthy, CEE, Madhya Pradesh.

Email: dilip.chakravarty@ceeindia.org

AWF programmes in Madurai and Chennai schools Animal Welfare Fortnight was celebrated on 23 January 2012 at Capron Hall Girls HSS in Madurai.

About 100 students of NCC, NSS, Red Cross and Guides participated in this programme. Irrespective of the age groups, everyone is very much interested to know more about the living beings than the humans. This is the result of the global warming and the climate change. As all are exercising their effects, especially its impact on human-animal co-existence,

Amphibian education kit materials used by the participants

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NCC, NSS and Red cross students teaching about animal welfare and monkey manners to other students

Students tying monkey manners Rakhi and taking oath on animal welfare

standard IV & V attended the programmes. It was so interesting and informative when the senior students took the lead to teach on frog and bats to the 25 juniors with the proper guidance of the co-ordinator Mrs. Jessie Jeyakaran. The names of various animals they see in the surroundings, at home, school, hospitals, market places etc., were elucidated. On seeing the packets supplied by ZOO India they were much interested. Various activities like, skit, role-play, singing etc were conducted.

The various types of masks supplied added their interest. Students took an oath and departed with a decision to spread the importance of animals. Mrs. T. Vijayalakshmi proposed vote of thanks. Submitted by: Ms. Jessie Jeyakaran, Email: jesseyjey@redifmail.com

Students wearing monkey masks and holding ‘not to feed monkey’ placard

this year’s Animal Welfare Fortnight – India 2012 was conducted with much enthusiasm. Thanks to the ZOO Outreach Organization and the other co-sponsors to kindle the interest among the students. The NGC, NSS, Red Cross and guide students underwent training during January 2012. The headmistress Mrs. Joseph welcomed the student and Mrs. Juliet explained about all the programmes undertaken by the students since 2005. Students were surprised to know that the Office of the Animal Welfare Board of India is situated in Chennai and wish to visit the place during the summer holidays. Stepwise action programmes were followed starting from tying up the rakhie from

the free educational packets on Frog and Bat. Students were thrilled to go through the records of their seniors on these two animals. Role play in the school campus about know your monkey manners attracted the other students. As all the groups are expected to approach the general public, the materials supplied with the masks on various animals will be of great use. The students took an oath and decided to share the positive attitudes not only in this fortnight but also in the following days.

On January 2012, the VIII standard students of Sri. Saradha Vidhalaya Model Girls Hr Sec School, Chennai and the primary schools students of

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Conservation of Nature Society celebrated Animal Welfare Fortnight 2012 The Conservation of Nature Society organized the Animal Welfare Fortnight from 14-28 January 2012 at Calicut and other parts of the Districts. On 16 & 18 a car rally (starting Beach to Wyanad) was organized by the Society to make aware among the public about the importance in the protection of the Wildlife. Each car was used for the awareness of each animal under serious threat. On 14 and 17 a programme was organized in the Planetarium with regarding the threat faced by the wild animals in the state especially wild cats. On 18-20 an awareness programme on the “Wild Elephants” which is severely under threat was conducted in the

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Planetarium. During the programme threats by the captive elephants in the state was discussed.

A painting competition was conducted with the themes related to present status, cruelties and remedies among captive elephants in the state. On 21.01.2012 a programme on captive bears was held which included the collection of reports from the participants about sighting. The participants informed that they have not seen any captive bears chained or under cruelty in the state since months. The threat faced by Leopards was discussed. On 22.01.2012 – An awareness programme on bats was done in the National Tribal Heads workshop and exhibition on Tribal Medicine in Chevayur Calicut District.

On 23-26 the society arranged a practical programme on the threat faced by the bats in city. Various details were collected with regard the same including photos were collected.

Even though tree felling was the biggest threat various other factors like electric shock, killing using Air-guns etc, were some of the factors, which led to their death. On 28 January a programme was done on the threat faced by peacocks. The practical action taken through the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Ministry of Environment & Forests on the felling of trees in city and the threat faced by the wild birds, Mynas, bats on the trees

was highly appreciated by the participants. Submitted by Vinod Kumar Damodar, Conservation of Nature Society, Calicut, Kerala. Email: mspca5@hotmail.com

RMNH Mysore awareness programmes for Children and disabled RMNH, Mysore used ZOO education materials in two programmes. Winter Nature Camp - 2011-12: This programme was organised for the High School Students. Fifteen participants were selected from 40 schools of Mysore through competition. The selected participants were taken to the Kulgi Nature Camp, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, North Karnataka from 3rd to 6th January 2012 with the objectives of: to develop environmental awareness among the student community, to develop scientific attitude among the students, to emphasize the importance of wildlife, its welfare and conservation, to create firsthand experience and awareness about the diversity of flora and fauna of Western Ghats and its importance. The activities were under taken: nature trial, collection of plant samples, lecture cum slide show on the biodiversity of Western Ghats, wildlife film shows, discussions on conservation of our flora and fauna with the help of ZOO animal welfare materials and visit to the interpretation centre of the sanctuary. Programme

for persons with Disability – 2012: This programme was organised from 25th January to 10th February 2012.

Eighty persons participated and it was organised to suite the different categories of disabilities such as hearing impaired, visually challenged, mentally challenged and physically challenged with the objectives of to extend museum programmes to the persons with disability, to involve different groups of disability under the fold of environmental awareness, to provide an opportunity to participate in the museum activities and to create awareness about our flora and fauna and its conservation and to help the persons with disability to utilize museum resources.

ZOO’s educational materials like Bears, Forests and Biodiversity, Frogs are part of Biodiversity, All frogs are amphibians, but all amphibians are not frogs, Amphibian an Art Aark and posters An All Animals Alert, Lion-tailed macaque and etc. are very interesting, informative and educative. They are all very helpful for us to convey the message about the animals, its welfare and conservation to the participants.

Once again I thank Zoo Outreach organization for these useful educational materials. RMNH, Mysore expects the same kind of cooperation in future also. Submitted by: C. Rajasundaram, Scientist D, RMNH, Mysore. Email: rmnhmysore@gmail.com

Mysore school students taking part in sit-draw competition

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World Forestry Day celebrated by OASIS Mumbai "Titli Utsav", was a half-day event and students dressed as butterflies all over the St. Michael High School Kurla West on 22 March 2012 to observe World Forestry Day. This event was a part of the year long project called Ped Pukare Titli Aa Re and the event saw students participate in fancy dress, poetry, jingle and poster contests. Over 600 students, parents and teachers attended.

Mrs. Jean Gomes, Principal of St. Michael High School feels, “Children are bored of the daily routine and interactive projects and learning through participation excites them thus garnering their complete participation and attention.”

Students are given ZOO Education kits

Wearing animal masks from the education kits

Titli Utsav started with the session for a group of 50 students on the biodiversity through the ZOO material to be able to understand the World Forestry Day and be able to talk about the biodiversity to the rest of the students of schools. The biodiversity concept was narrowed down to the theme of the butterflies and event composed of contests like fancy dress competition, jingle, and poetry and poster competition. The students gave a fantastic performance and the hall resounded with tumultuous applause from the audience.

Mrs. Jayashree Rao said, “Butterfly Rehabilitation is a new thought in the social sector and I am glad that the teachers are encouraging the students to think of such innovative ideas. I congratulate OASIS and the teachers for their commendable work”. Mrs Pallavi Dhingra said, “I have not seen a single butterfly or a sparrow of late in Mumbai. Protection of these creatures is an important part of the ecosystem.

Planting trees that attract creatures that are slowly fading away is imperative to the environment.”

The event ended with the prize distribution and the closing speech given by Dr. Puja Sukhija, Exe. Director of OASIS. The event in itself was very enlightening. The students had successfully integrated facts about butterflies in their performances, thus making it entertaining yet informative.

Research Scholar Mrs. Ganga Jaykumar, who attended the programme said, “It was excellent event, there is a lot to learn about butterflies and their importance in the ecological system.”

Participants of the World Forestry Day celebration

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The event was coordinated by AIESEC organization students. Submitted by: Ms Shikha Shisodia Project Manager, Email: info@oasisngo.org

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Selection and Shifting of Sleeping Sites by Hanuman Langurs in Morni Hills of Haryana, India Girish Chopra1, Madhu Bala Bhoombak2 & Parmesh Kumar3 Abstract Selection and shifting of sleeping sites by three (two bisexual and one all male) groups of Hanuman Langur, Semnopithecus hector (Pocock, 1928) were studied in Morni Hills of Haryana, India from January 2010 to December 2010. All the studied groups were found to use 1-5 large and small trees species with long trunk and dense canopy, for roosting within their home ranges. Groups showed varied preference for species of sleeping trees. In all, 11 trees species were used by langurs as sleeping sites. The langurs were found to use highest branches of trees for sleeping as the main strategy to avoid predators which is the main factor influencing selection of sleeping tree by human langurs.

The bisexual troop (ST), living in forest area along with potential predator(s), used maximum (5) number of trees while the all male band (MB) inhabiting near human settlements in the absence of potential predator(s) used the least (1) number of trees for sleeping. Periodic shifting of sleeping sites was also observed both in ‘bisexual’ and ‘all male’ groups. These groups used 3-5 sleeping sites during the study year. Vital factors influencing periodic shifting of sleeping sites by langurs in Morni Hills of Haryana appear to be environmental temperature variations, availability of food and water sources, disturbances from human beings and predators.

Introduction The Hanuman langur is the most widely distributed and highly adaptive primate in the South Asia (Roonwal & Mohnot 1977; Chhangani 2000). It lives in a wide range of habitats from the Himalayas and peninsular forests to semi-arid lands, in villages and towns and in cultivated land (Roonwal & Mohnot 1977; Chalise 1995). It is an arboreal and diurnal species and prefers to jump from one tree to another through the branches when foraging but some may become accustomed to living close to the human settlements (Tritsch 2001). It has folivorous feeding habits, complex sacculated stomachs and lack cheek pouches (Thorington & Anderson 1984).

Hanuman langurs are social animals with variable social organization (Chhangani 2000). They are protected by laws in India which forbid their

Feeding: Hanuman langur feeding near sleeping site

Allogrooming: Allogrooming at sleeping site

killing and capture, alive or dead, although enforcement is a problem and most people do not even know that they are a protected species (Choudhury 2001). Semnopithecus hector (Pocock 1928) is one of the seven species of Hanuman langur

found in India. This species is listed as Near Threatened, as there are probably not more than 10,000 mature individuals, and it is experiencing a continuing decline (Molur & Chhangani 2008). In the state of Haryana, Semnopithecus hector is found in

1&2

Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India University College, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India Email: 1girishchopra2@gmail.com, 2bhoombakmadhu@gmail.com, 3 parmeshkuk@rediffmail.com 3

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Kalesor forest, Pinjore and Morni Hills and till date no scientific study has been carried out on ecology and behaviour of langurs in this area.

Among diurnal non-human primates, the selection of safe sleeping sites within their available habitat is assumed to be of utmost importance as they spend their night at the top of high trees (Ruhiyat 1983; Malik 1984; Stanford 1991; Tokayashy 1992; Tokahashi 1997). Keeping this in view, present study was designed to collect information on selection and shifting of sleeping trees by Hanuman langur in Morni Hills of Haryana.

Sleeping site: Hanuman langurs at sleeping site

Tail carriage: Tail carriage characteristic of Hanuman langur

Troop: Troop of langurs along road side

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Materials and Method Study Area Morni Hills (30o35’ to 34o45’ N and 70o00’ to 75o15’ E) form a part of lower Shiwalik Ranges in north-east Haryana with an altitude range from 300 to 1400 m above sea level (Fig. 1). The range includes two lakes that are situated within these mountain ranges. Besides, the area is known for the ruins of an old fort at Morni village which is located at the top of the hill. Morni comes under highly dissected region of Shiwalik with low lying hills that are sparsely vegetated.

The river Ghaggar separates Morni Hills from Pinjore subdivision. The forest of the area is tropical deciduous. The summer temperature varies between 18-45 o C. Morni Hills have a fascinating range of flora and fauna. The area is rich in avian diversity. The prominent mammals which inhabit the Morni range are Leopard (Panthera pardus), Small Indian cat (Viverricula indica), Common mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii), Jackal (Canis aureus), Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica), Indian hare (Lepus nigricollis), Wild boar (Sus scrofa), Goral (Nemorahaedus goral), Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Spotted deer (Axis axis), Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Sambar (Rusa unicolor) and Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) Study Groups Initially, a thorough survey of Morni Hills was carried out and in all, 24 groups of Hanuman langur (18 Bisexual groups, 5 ‘All Male’ bands & 1 solitary male) were found. Of these, three groups, i.e., Bangar Troop (BT), Sherla Troop (ST) and Morni Band (MB) were selected for the detailed study. The troops BT and ST were ‘uni-male bisexual’ troops while MB was an ‘all male’ band. These groups

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Table 1. Location of types of langur groups, habitats used with / without human interference by them, predominant trees and availability of their possible predators in Morni Hills, Haryana.

Type of group and its size

Type of habitat occupied with/ without human interference [Altitude(m) Lattitude, Longitude]

Dominant trees

Predator (s) present in the study area

Bisexual Group-BT (20)

Forest area having crop land nearby (with no human Interference) 993 30 o 41’44 77 o 03’54

Chhal (Anogeissus latifolia), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Shisham (Dalbergia sisso), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Imli (Tamarindus indica), Amrud (Psidium guajava), Jhingan (Lannea coromandelica), Khair (Acacia catechu), Siris (Albizia lebbeck), Semal (Bombax ceiba), Salai (Boswellia serrata), Papadi (Holoptelea integrifolia), Bargad (Ficus benghalensis), Gular (Ficus racemosa )

Leopard, Jackal

Bisexual Group-ST (30)

Forest Area (with human interference) 1012 30 o 40’18 77 o 06’28

Bargad (Ficus benghalensis), Chhal (Anogeissus latifolia), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Mango (Mangifera indica), Pipal (Ficus religiosa), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Amrud (Psidium guajava), Jhingan (Lannea coromandelica), Bael (Aegle marmelos), Siris (Albizia lebbeck), Semal (Bombax ceiba),Amla (Emblica officinalis), Bargad (Ficus benghalensis), Papadi (Holoptelea integrifolia)

Leopard, Jackal, Dogs

‘All male’ Group-MB (9)

Human Settlements & Temple 1138 30 o 41’13 77 o 04’54

Chhal (Anogeissus latifolia), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Mango (Mangifera indica), Pipal (Ficus religiosa), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Amrud (Psidium guajava), Safeda (Eucalyptus globulus), Bargad (Ficus benghalensis)

Dogs

Figures in parenthesis in column 1 indicate number of individuals in a group

inhabited different habitats within same range of climate, rainfall, topography, altitude and plantation.

The habitats of the groups differed with respect to human interference and predator absence/presence (Table 1).

The habitat of BT (17 individuals) troop was a forest area with no human disturbance while in the case of ST (20 individuals) troop, it was a forest area having human settlements. The ‘all male’ band, i.e. MB (9 males) inhabited area near Morni fort with human presence and a temple.

Sleeping sites of Hanuman langurs were established in two ways: by directly following the focal groups periodically from morning till the time they settled on specific locations and

by recording presence of fresh faecal pellets of langurs under such locations.

Each focal group of Hanuman langurs was followed for three consecutive days each month from January 2010 to December 2010. Of the total 108 days, sleeping sites could be identified only on 69 occasions of monitoring of focal groups from morning till evening.

On rest of the days, particularly during monsoon season, the observer lost the sight of focal groups and hence data regarding their sleeping sites could not be obtained. Whether or not the same sleeping site was used for consecutive nights could be discerned on the basis of the amount of faecal patches and characteristics of faecal distribution.

The geographical location of sleeping site was determined with hand held

Figure 1. Location of the study area

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GPS (Garmin) and the height of trees used as ‘sleeping sites’ was measured with Hypsometer.

Results and Discussion During the present study, the sleeping sites and tree species used for the roosting by three focal groups (two ‘bisexual’ troops and one ‘all male’ band) of Hanuman langur (Semnopithecus hector) were recorded. At the end of the day, all individuals of each group would gather around the sleeping sites and at the onset of darkness, they would climb the trees for sleeping. All the three studied groups used large tree species, with straight trunk and dense canopy, for roosting. In all, 11 tree species, namely, Papri (Anogeissus latifolia), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Gular (Ficus racemosa), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Safeda (Eucalyptus globulus), Khair (Acacia catechu), Siris (Albizzia lebbeck), Bargad (Ficus benghalensis), Jhingan (Lannea coromandelica), Salai (Boswellia serrata) and Kala siris (Albizzia odoratissima) were used as sleeping trees (Table 2). Focal groups of langurs revealed varied preference for different tree species as sleeping sites (Table 3). Average height of sleeping tree was 15.7m (range 8 25m). The individuals of a troop usually used one large tree or combination of 1-2 high trees and 2-3 small trees close to each other. This combination is thought to play a key role in protection of the troop during attack by predator as the langurs can

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Table 2. Location of sleeping sites, trees species and their heights used by the three studied groups of Hanuman Langurs in Morni Hills, Haryana Type of Group

Location of sleeping sites & months of use

(BT)

1. Bottom of Hills (January – February) 2. Top of Hills (March – April)

4

3. Top of Hills Near Water Source (May – June)

3

4. Along road (July – October)

5

5. Bottom of Hills(November – December) (ST)

3

1. Bottom of Hill (January– February & November-December)

4

2. Top of Hills (March – April)

3

3. Top of Hills Near Water Source (May – June)

(MB)

No. of trees used at the sleeping site 4 2

3

Tree Species used as sleeping sites

Approximate height of trees (m)

Lannea coromandelica (Jhingan)

14, 16

2 1

Anogeissus latifolia (Papri) Ficus benghalensis (Bargad)

12,16 18

3

Lannea coromandelica (Jhingan)

14, 18, 18

1

Ficus racemosa (Gular)

18

2

Azadirachta indica (Neem)

10, 8

3

Albizia lebbeck (Siris)

16,18,20,

2

Acacia catechu (Khair)

16, 18

1

Boswelia serrata (Salai)

16

2

Anogeissus latifolia (Papri)

12,16

2

Cassua fustyka (Amaltas)

18, 22

2

Albizzia odoratissima(Kala siris)

16, 20

1

Azadirachta indica (Neem)

10

1

Ficus racemosa (Gular)

18

1

Anogeissus latifolia (Papri)

14

1

Anogeissus latifolia (Papri)

12

2

Lannea coromandelica(Jhingan)

14,18

4. Along road (July – October)

1

1

Ficus benghalensis (Bargad)

!5

1. Bottom of Hills (January– February& November-December ) 2. Near Morni Fort (March to June) 3. Along road (July – October)

2

2

Azadirachta indica (Neem)

8, 10

1 1

1 1

Ficus benghalensis (Bargad) Eucalyptus globulus (Safeda)

20 25

BT - Bangar Troop; ST - Sherla Troop; MB - Morni Band

jump from one tree to another when in danger. In most cases, the langurs selected highest branches of sleeping trees for roosting. The bisexual troop (ST), inhabiting forest area along with potential predator(s), used maximum 5 trees while the ‘all male’ band (MB) living near human settlements in the absence of potential predator(s), used the least (1) tree as roosting site (Table 2). The sleeping sites of nonhuman primates seem to be selected to reduce the chance of being preyed upon during night, with sleeping trees being very tall as well as free of low branches with long trunk, providing effective physical barriers to potential terrestrial predators (Anderson 1984, 2000). Similar patterns have been found in a number of primates (Anderson 2000, Cui et al., 2006; Li et al., 2010; Phoonjampa et al., 2010) including langurs (Chhangani & Mohnot 2006; Minhas et al. 2010). Major factors likely to influence selection of sleeping site by primates are protection from predators, accessibility to food and water sources, physical comfort in terms of shelter from cold wind, snow and rain, avoidance of biting insects, parasite avoidance and human disturbance (Stolz & Saayman

1970; Boggess 1980; Hausfater & Meade 1982; Anderson 1998; Chhangani & Mohnot 2006; Li et al.

2006; Minhas et al. 2010). In the present study, the ‘all male’ band (MB) used trees near Morni fort and temple for sleeping; being near human settlements this area had zero predator risk. Ramakrishnan and Coss (2001) also observed that Bonnet macaques and Hanuman langurs preferentially

selected sleeping trees close to human settlements to reduce the risk of night time attacks from predators that tend to avoid humans.

Shifting of sleeping sites was observed in all the three studied groups. During the study period, BT, ST and MB groups used 5, 4 and 3 sleeping sites respectively (Table 2). Both abiotic and biotic factors may be the reasons of

Table 3. Selection of different tree species by Hanuman langurs as sleeping sites in Morni Hills Haryana.

Tree species used as sleeping site

Number of trees used as sleeping site

Lannea coromandelica (Jhingan)

7

20.59

Anogeissus latifolia (Papri)

6

17.65

Ficus benghalensis (Bargad)

3

8.82

Ficus racemosa (Gular)

2

5.88

Azadirachta indica (Neem)

5

14.71

Albizia lebbeck (Siris)

3

8.82

Acacia catechu (Khair)

2

5.88

Boswellia serrata (Salai)

1

2.94

Cassia fistula (Amaltas)

2

5.88

Albizzia odoratissima(Kala siris)

2

5.88

Eucalyptus globulus (Safeda)

1

2.94

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such shifting of sleeping sites in different months by langurs. During winter, langurs shifted from high trees on the top of hills to trees at the bottom of hills. Although the predation risk is high in the bottom of hills, shifting of roosting sites to trees at the bottom of hills has been observed in all the study groups perhaps to cope severe cold conditions on the top of hills during the months of November to February. During summer months, the langurs used to sleep on high trees on the top of hill to avoid the excessive heat during the months of May and June. Earlier workers have reported that temperate zone primates move to lower altitudes with warmer climates in the cold season and show a reverse pattern in the warm season (Bishop 1979; Wada & Ichiki 1980; Li et al. 2000; Liu & Zhao 2004; Cui et al. 2006; Liu et al. 2010). Availability of water source was another important factor observed for shifting in the sleeping sites in the present study. In Morni Hills, in general, there is no shortage of water throughout the year. However, in hot months of May and June, the natural water sources get dried up. During extreme hot weather the langurs shifted to the trees around Bavadi (man-made water source). This kind of shifting was recorded in both the ‘bisexual’ groups (BT & ST).

Sometimes human disturbance also forced the langur troops to shift their sleeping sites. For instance, at the time of crop harvesting, bisexual troop (BT) living in the vicinity of crop fields, shifted to the trees near the crops fields to raid them for food. When chased by the farmers and their pet dogs, the individuals repeatedly reverted to the roosting sites. Chhangani and Mohnot (2006) also have observed temporary shifts in sleeping sites of hanuman langurs near to crops fields to raid mature crops in Rajasthan.

References Anderson, J.R. (1984). Ethology and ecology of sleep in monkeys and apes. Advances in the Study of Behavior 14: 165–229.

Anderson, J.R. (1998). Sleep, sleeping sites, and sleeprelated activities: awakening to their significance. American Journal of Primatology 46: 63–75.

Anderson, J.R. (2000). Sleep-related behavioural adaptations in free-ranging anthropoid primates. Sleep Medicine Reviews 4:355–373.

Bishop, N. (1979). Himalayan langurs: temperate colobines. Journal of Human Evolution 8: 251–281.

Blanford, W.T. (1992). Primates of the World. Rod and Ken Preston-Mafhan, U.K. Boggess, J. (1980). Intermale relations and troop male membership changes in langurs (Presbytis entellus) in Nepal. International Journal of Primatology 1: 233–273.

Chalise, M.K. (1995). Comparative study of feeding ecology and behaviour of male and female langurs (Presbytis entellus). PhD thesis, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu.

Chhangani, A.K. (2000). Ecobehavioural diversity of langurs (Presbytis entellus) living in different ecosystems.

PhD Thesis, Department of Zoology, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur.

Chhangani, A.K. & S.M. Mohnot (2006). Ranging behaviour of Hanuman Langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) in three different habitats. Primate Conservation 21: 171– 177.

Choudhury, A. (2001). Primates in northeast India: an overview of their distribution and conservation status. Envis Bulletin: Wildlife and Protected Areas 1(1):92–101.

Cui, L.W., R.C. Quan & W. Xiao (2006). Sleeping sites of black and white snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) at Baima Snow Mountain, China. Journal of Zoology 270: 192–198.

Hausfater, G. & B. Meade (1982). Alternation of sleeping groves by yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) as a strategy for parasite avoidance. Primates 23: 287–97.

Li, B.G., C. Chen, W.H. Ji & B.P.Ren (2000). Seasonal home range changes of the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains of China.

Folia Primatology 71: 375–386.

Li,D., B.Ren, C.C.Grueter, B.Li & M. Li (2010). Nocturnal sleeping habits of the Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey in Xiangguqing, China. American Journal of Primatology 72: 1092–1099.

Li, D., C.C. Grueter, B. Ren, Q. Zhou, Z. Peng & F. Wei (2006). Characteristics of night-time sleeping places selected by golden monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) in the Samage forest, Baima snow mountain Nature Reserve, China. Integrative Zoology 1: 141–152.

Liu, Z. & Q. Zhao (2004). Sleeping sites of Rhinopithecus bieti at Mt. Fuhe, Yunnan. Primates 45: 241–248.

Malik, I. (1984). Time budgets and activity patterns in free-ranging rhesus monkeys, pp. 105–114. In: Else, J.G. & P.C. Lee (eds.), Primate Ecology and Conservation, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. Molur, S. & A. Chhangani (2008). Semnopithecus hector.

In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>.

Minhas, R.A., K.B. Ahmed, M.S. Awan & N.L. Dar(2010). Habitat utilization and feeding biology of Himalayan Grey Langur (Semnopithecus entellus ajex) in Machiara National Park, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Zoological Research 31: 1–13.

Phoonjampa, R., A. Koenig, C. Borries, G.A. Gale & T. Savini (2010). Selection of sleeping trees in Pileated Gibbons (Hylobates pileatus). American Journal of Primatology 72:617–625.

Rajpurohit, D.S. (2005). Study the dominance hierarchy and its role in social organization in hanuman langur, Semnopithecus entellus entellus. Ph. D. thesis, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

Ramakrishnan, U. & R. Coss (2001). Strategies used by bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) to reduce predation risk while sleeping. Folia Primatology 42: 193–206.

Roonwal, M.L. & S.M. Mohnot (1977). Primates of South Asia. Harvard University Press, Cambridge.

Ruhiyat,Y. (1983). Socio-ecological study of Presbytis aygula in West Java. Primates 24: 344–359.

Stanford, C. B. (1991). The Capped langur in Bangladesh: Behavior, ecology and reproductive tactics. Contributions to Primatology. 26: 1–179.

Stolz, L.P.& G.S. Saayman, G.S.(1970). Ecology and behaviour of baboons in the northern Transvaal. Annals of the Transvaal Museum 26: 99–143.

Thorington, R.W.J. & S. Anderson (1984). Orders and Families of Recent Mammals of the World. John Wiley and Sons Press, New York xii+686.

Tokahashi, H. (1997). Huddling relationship in night sleeping group among wild Japanese macaques in Kinkazan Island during winter. Primates 38: 57–68.

Tokayashy, K. (1992). The last ape: Pygmy chimpanzee behavior and ecology. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. Tritsch, M.F. (2001). Wildlife of India. Thomson Press Ltd., India Wada, K. & Y. Ichiki (1980). Seasonal home range use

by Japanese monkeys in the Shiga Heights. Primates 21: 468–83.

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New plant records for Jharkhand C.R. Magesh1, P. Lakshminarasimhan2* and P. Venu3 Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary established in 1976 is one of the interesting and well conserved sanctuaries for elephants.

The sanctuary (22o 46’30” N and 22o 57’25” N Latitudes and 86o 03’15” E and 86o 26’30” E Longitudes) is situated on the Chota Nagpur plateau of south Jharkhand near the steel city of Jamshedpur under Saraikela and East Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand and its eastern limit extends up to the border of Purulia district of West Bengal. It covers an area of 193.22 sq km (reserved forest 45.56 sq km and protected forest 147.44 sq km). The sanctuary area has Core zone (55 sq km), Buffer zone (133.95 sq km) and Tourism zone (13.94 sq km). It has been divided into six beats namely Bhanudi, Chukalia, Dalma, Kankdasa, Mango and Patamad and has several sub-beats. The sanctuary is traversed by the rivers Subarnarekha, Baitarani and Brahmini.

During the floristic survey of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, three species, namely Bambusa teres, Crotalaria burhia and Ipomoea triloba were collected which are new records to the flora of Jharkhand. These species have not been reported by Haines (1910; 1921, 1922 & 1925), Mooney (1950), Paria & Chattopadhyay (2000 & 2005), Singh et al. (2001), Sharma & Sarkar (2002) and Ansari (2008). The species are listed below with their currently accepted botanical name, phenology, distribution in India and specimens examined. All the specimens are deposited in Central National Herbarium, Howrah (CAL).

Bambusa teres Buch.-Ham. ex Munro (Habit)

Crotalaria burhia Buch.-Ham. ex Benth. (Habit)

Bambusa teres Buch.-Ham. ex Munro (Poaceae) Distribution: INDIA: (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and West Bengal), Bangladesh and Singapore.

Specimen examined: Makulakocha, 22.04.2010, C.R. Magesh 38852 Note: Rare. It is collected in vegetative condition and there is no record of flowering in plains.

Crotalaria burhia Buch.-Ham. ex Benth. (Leguminosae - Papilionoideae) Flowering & Fruiting: October – February Distribution: INDIA: (Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh), Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Specimens examined: Dalma phar, 13.02.2001, P. Chakraborty & P.

Crotalaria burhia Buch.-Ham. ex Benth. (Close up) 1,2&3

Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, P.O. Botanic Garden, Howrah. Emails: 1crmageshcnh@gmail.com; 2lakshminarasimhanp@yahoo.co.in (Corresponding author) & 3pvenu.bsi@gmail.com

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Satyanarayana 28850; Kuyani, 17.02.2001, P. Chakraborty & P. Satyanarayana 23511 Ipomoea triloba L. (Convolvulaceae) Flowering & Fruiting: August – February Distribution: INDIA: (Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal), Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Specimen examined: Asamboni, 13.11.2008, C.R. Magesh 43954 Note: It is a native of Tropical America.

Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to the Director Botanical Survey of India for facilities.

Ipomoea triloba L. (In flowers)

Ipomoea triloba L. (In fruits)

References Ansari, A.A. (2008). Crotalaria L. in India. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun, 376 pp.

Haines, H.H. (1910). A Forest flora of Chotanagpur including Gangpur and the Santal Parganahs - A description of all the indigenous trees, shrubs and climbers, the principal economic herbs, and most common cultivated trees and shrubs (with introduction and glossary). Calcutta, Superintendent Government printing, 634 pp.

Haines, H.H. (1992, 1925). The Botany of Bihar and Orissa: An account of all the known indigenous plants of the province and of the most important or most commonly cultivated exotic ones with maps and introduction. 6 parts: 3: 225–418. (1922), 4: 419– 754. (1922) & 5: 755–1058. (1925).

London, Govt. of Bihar & Orissa.

Mooney, H.F. (1950). Supplement to the botany of Bihar and Orissa. Ranchi, Bihar, 294 pp.

Paria, N.D. & S.P. Chattopadhyay (2000, 2005). Flora of Hazaribagh District, Bihar. Vol. I: 547 pp. (2000) & II: 549–1299. (2005). Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta.

Sharma, T.K. & A.K. Sarkar.

(2002). Flora of Palamau District, Jharkhand In: N.P Singh & P.S.N. Rao (Eds.). Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, 738 pp.

Singh, N.P., V. Mudgal, K.K. Khanna, S.C. Srivastava, A.K. Sahoo, S. Bandyopadhyay, N. Aziz, M. Das, R.P. Bhattacharya & P.K. Hajra. (2001). Flora of Bihar – Analysis. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta, 777 pp.

Bambusa teres Buch.-Ham. ex Munro (Habit)

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First record of Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla from Tumariya Reservoir in the Corbett landscape of District Nainital, Uttarakhand Anushree Bhattacharjee* Tumariya reservoir (29°18’ N, 78°57’ E) is a man-made reservoir extending across the Districts of Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar, in the State of Uttarakhand. This area falls within the jurisdiction of the Terai-West forest division, and forms part of the Corbett landscape. The Corbett Foundation (TCF) has been carrying out a regular waterfowl census programme in selected wetlands located in the Corbett landscape to estimate the population of migratory birds arriving every winter. As part of this programme, I was carrying out waterfowl census at Tumariya Reservoir on 17 February 2011, when I spotted a small crake, lightly tripping over the reeds growing near the banks of the reservoir at approximately 10:40 hrs. The observation was made in the part of the reservoir which falls within the District Nainital.

The bird was observed to have rufousbrown upperparts with extensive white markings, and buff underparts. Its beak and feet were completely green and the underparts had extensive barring, which extended down the flanks right up to the legs. The bird kept skulking among the reeds and it was extremely difficult to get a good photograph. It was after a lot of stealthy tracking that several good photographs were obtained (figure 1).

It was a juvenile and kept twitching its stubby tail up from time to time.

Although it was identified as a Baillon’s Crake at first sight, there was still some doubt existing about whether it could also be a Little Crake. These doubts were however soon cleared up when it was observed that the projection of its primary was much shorter than that of a Little Crake.

Additionally, there were no pale fringes to the tertials and scapulars. On consultation with several field guides (Grimmett et al. 1999, Kazmierczak 2000), as well as with experienced local naturalists, it was conclusively identified as the juvenile of a Baillon’s Crake.

The Baillon’s Crake is a very shy bird found in marshes, along the edges of lakes and ponds and among paddy fields (Ali 1941, Grimmett et al. 1999, Kazmierczak 2000). In sharp contrast to the African and Australasian populations of this species, which are non-migratory or make only local

Figure 1: Baillon’s Crake in Tumariya Reservoir

movements in response to seasonal changes in their habitats, the European and Asian populations appear to be fully migratory (BirdLife International 2012). The bird is a solitary species, occurring either singly or in pairs (Ali 1941, BirdLife International 2012). It breeds in the Indian Himalayas (Grimmett et al. 1999). It is a passage migrant in the rest of the country during the winter (Kazmierczak 2000).

There are mostly scattered individual records of sighting from the Indian mainland (Grimmett et al. 1999). This was the first record of the Baillon’s Crake from the Corbett landscape (Sharma et al. 2004). Thus, this is an important sighting and will help in updating the bird checklist of Corbett.

It would also hopefully influence the concerned policy makers and officers of the Terai-West forest division to extend stricter protection status to the wetland.

Acknowledgements I am extremely grateful to Mr. Dilip D. Khatau, Chairman of The Corbett Foundation, for his great passion for all wildlife and unstinted support to all research and conservation programmes being carried out by the wildlife division of The Corbett Foundation.

Many thanks to him for funding our waterfowl census programme. I would also like to thank Mr. Manoj Sharma for

helping with the positive identification on the bird.

References Ali, S. (1941). The Book of Indian Birds. Oxford University Press, Mumbai, pp. 131.

Birdlife International (2012).

Species factsheet: Porzana pusilla.

Retrieved from http://www.birdlife.org on 20/01/2012.

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

Revised reprint 2001. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. pp. 102.

IUCN (2011). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2.

Retrieved from www.iucnredlist.org on 20/01/2012.

Kazmierczak, K. (2000). A Field Guide to the Birds of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. United Kingdom: Pica Press. pp. 108.

Sharma, M., B. Harvey, N. Devasar & B. Grewal (2004). A Checklist of the Birds of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Retrieved from http:// www.delhibird.com/Checklists/ Corbett.html on 30/01/2012.

* The Corbett Foundation, Vill & P.O. Dhikuli, Ramnagar Dist. Nainital - 244 715, Uttarakhand. Email: anushreebhattacharjee@gmail.com

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Announcements

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The 4th International Congress on Zoo Keeping 9-13 September 2012 Singapore

The 4th Conference of the International Congress of Zookeepers will be held in Singapore in 2012, hosted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

Theme: “Many Voices, One Calling” Wildlife Reserves Singapore is proud to host in conjunction with the ICZ the 4th International Congress on Zoo Keeping, from September 9th to 13th, 2012. This conference themed “Many Voices, One Calling” hopes to bring together keepers and zoo professionals from around the World for the objectives of enhancing the professionalism of Zoo Keepers and the welfare of the wild animals in their care.

Delegates from every country have much to contribute. We encourage keepers to share their knowledge and experiences in the field of Zoo Keeping with their fellow keepers at this momentous event. We look forward to hear your Many Voices committing to our One Calling. See you in Singapore 2012!

Registration is now open – to register please click here (http://www.toureastevents.net/ei/getdemo.ei? id=20&s=_30O0Y6LIL).

For questions regarding payments or whether your registration has been processed please email icz2012@toureast.net Full Registration Early bird SGD 570 for those received by 30 June 2012. After 30 June the price is SGD 650.

This will include Icebreaker event, Gala dinner, Silent Auction evening, Night Safari event, Lunch and Morning Tea Monday – Thursday and afternoon tea on two days. Buses to the venues and return will be provided from 2-3 locations in downtown Singapore at certain times.

Partners Program Partners are able to attend these events at the following prices Monday Silent Auction dinner SGD 50 Tuesday Dinner and Night Safari evening SGD 50 Wednesday Gala Dinner SGD 120 T-shirts are available at an additional cost of SGD 20 for standard cotton or SGD 30 for dri glo.

ICZ 2012 Cancellation policy Cancellation of registration is permitted up until 15 August 2012 however a cancellation fee of SGD 100 will apply to cover administration and bank charges. After 15 August 2012 no refunds will be available due to commitment of funds to conference providers.

Click here to get in contact with the congress coordinator (http://www.iczoo.org/contact.php) Scholarschip A limited number of scholarships are available for keepers from primarily developing countries who are unable to gain other financial support to attend the 4th International Congress on Zookeeping 9-13 September 2012.

The money will be used to pay registration fees, travel expenses and accommodation. To apply you need to fill out the application below and either email it or mail it to Liz Romer c/- 13 Mary Street, Beacon Hill, NSW Australia 2100. Applications close 1 June 2012 – though may be awarded sooner depending on demand and number available.

For more details visit http://www.iczoo.org/singapore2012.php

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXVII, Number 5, May 2012

28

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, 96, Kumudham Nagar, Vilankurichi Road, CBE 35

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 5912, 96, Kumudham Nagar, Vilankurichi Road Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 035, India Phone: +91 422 2665298 Fax: +91 422 2665472 E-mail: zooreach@zooreach.org Website: www.zooreach.org, www.zoosprint.org

Announcements

The 2012 International Aquarium Congress (IAC) is now just 10 months away. Your host, the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, South Africa, looks forward to welcoming you to our shores from 9 to 14 September 2012.

Call for papers Prospective presenters are now invited to submit their abstracts for papers or posters to be presented at the 8th International Aquarium Congress (IAC) in Cape Town, South Africa from 9 to 14 September 2012.

The IAC, which takes place every four years, is the most important and prestigious event for the public aquarium industry. It has been held in several countries, but 2012 marks the first year that the congress will take place in the Southern Hemisphere and on African soil.

Click here to learn about our themes and submission guidelines: http://iac2012.co.za/ congress/call_for_papers/

Click here to view the provisional 2012 IAC programme: http://iac2012.co.za/congress/ preliminary_programme/congress_programme/ Click here to register now: http://iac2012.co.za/ congress/register/ Keynote speakers announced We are delighted to announce the three guest speakers who will be delivering keynote addresses during the opening ceremony of the 2012 IAC on 10 September 2012.

Dr Camille Parmesan was ranked by Reuters ISI Web of Science as the second most highly cited author in the field of climate change in 2010. Read more: http:// iac2012.co.za/blog/entry/ dr_camille_parmesan_to_speak_at_2012_international_ aquarium_congress/ Dr Elin Kelsey will deliver a keynote for the 2012 IAC that positions "hope" as an emerging narrative for aquariums around the world. According to Kelsey, "Aquariums have a unique ability to engender emotional connections between people, animals and environments." Read more: http://iac2012.co.za/blog/ entry/ dr_erin_kelsey_brings_hope_to_2012_international_aqu arium_congress/ Emeritus Professor George Branch is a world-renowned authority on the southern African marine environment.

His passionate and entertaining lectures inspire a huge appreciation and understanding of the marine world.

Read more: http://iac2012.co.za/blog/entry/ professor_george_branch_to_explore_two_oceans_at_2 012_international_aquariu/

Sponsor and exhibit At the 2012 IAC, you will have the opportunity to meet with key decision makers in exhibitory, conservation, sustainability and education fields. Top management personnel from aquariums from around the world are expected to attend.

We offer a unique opportunity to exhibit to leading industry professionals from around the world.

Click here to learn more about our exhibition options: http://iac2012.co.za/exhibit/ We also have a number of sponsorship and exposure opportunities to suit your budget and requirements, from top-end endorsements to green initiatives, as well as a host of advertising and advertorial opportunities.

Click here to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities: http://iac2012.co.za/sponsor/ About the Two Oceans Aquarium The southern tip of the African continent is the meeting place of two mighty and bountiful oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic. The Two Oceans Aquarium on the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town is ideally positioned to showcase the incredible diversity of marine life found in these two oceans. The Aquarium is one of the top tourist attractions in Cape Town and over 3000 living sea animals, many of which are endemic to southern African waters, can be seen in this spectacular underwater nature reserve.

Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium website for more information: http://www.aquarium.co.za/