News: Researchers from the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) have demonstrated that local ecological knowledge of the Adi community can significantly improve scientific efforts to track the critically endangered Chinese pangolin. About Chinese Pangolin The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is a small, nocturnal mammal known for its distinctive body covering of hard, overlapping scales. It is… Continue reading Chinese Pangolin
Category: species in news
Indian Skimmer
News: For conservation of endangered bird species in the Ganga basin, a new project has been approved to protect breeding habitats of sandbar-nesting birds, including the Indian Skimmer. About Indian Skimmer The Indian Skimmer, also known as the Indian Scissors-bill, is a distinctive waterbird native to southern Asia. Scientific name: Rynchops albicollis Genus: Rynchops in… Continue reading Indian Skimmer
Anopheles Stephensi and Malaria in India
News: Urban malaria driven by invasive Anopheles stephensi threatens India’s malaria elimination targets, according to the Health Ministry’s Malaria Elimination Technical Report 2025. About Anopheles Stephensi Anopheles stephensi is a significant mosquito species now recognised as an invasive threat because it thrives in urban environments. Transmits: The species efficiently transmits Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax,… Continue reading Anopheles Stephensi and Malaria in India
Erivan Anomalous Blue Butterfly
News: Armenia has revealed the official logo for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, featuring the Erivan Anomalous Blue Butterfly at its centre. About Erivan Anomalous Blue Butterfly It is a butterfly species belonging to the family Lycaenidae and the genus Polyommatus. The species is endemic to Southern… Continue reading Erivan Anomalous Blue Butterfly
The Red-Shanked Douc
News- Customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport foiled an attempt to illegally import two critically endangered Red-shanked Doucs into India. About Red-shanked Douc The red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus) is an Old World monkey known as the ‘Queen of the Primates’ for its highly colourful body and unique appearance. Distribution:It is native to the forests of… Continue reading The Red-Shanked Douc
Western Tragopan
News- Recent studies and conservation efforts highlight ongoing threats to the western tragopan despite decades of captive breeding success. About Western Tragopan The Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus), locally known as Jujurana or “king of birds,” is a rare and vulnerable pheasant species endemic to the Western Himalayas. It is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh.… Continue reading Western Tragopan
Deodhar Tree
News- A study of Deodhar Tree in Batseri revealed a long record of spring moisture changes and linked these shifts to geohazard events in the Himalayan region. About Deodhar Tree The Deodhar or deodar tree (Cedrus deodara) is a large, evergreen coniferous tree native to the Western Himalayas. Naming: The name “deodar” comes from the… Continue reading Deodhar Tree
Penguins
News: New scientific research has revealed that the overexploitation of sardines off southern Africa directly contributed to the deaths of more than 60,000 African penguins. About Penguins Penguins are flightless marine birds that belong to the order Sphenisciformes. They consist of approximately 18–21 species that inhabit only the Southern Hemisphere. Most penguin species live… Continue reading Penguins
Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus)
News: A recent study found that grey seal milk contains 332 different kinds of oligosaccharides, making it more complex than human milk. About Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) Grey seal is a marine mammal belonging to the family Phocidae. It is also called the Atlantic seal or the horsehead seal. Habitat: It spends most of their… Continue reading Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Finn’s Weaver
News: Finn’s Weaver Bird is in the news because its population is rapidly declining in the Terai region. About Finn’s Weaver The Finn’s Baya (Ploceus megarhynchus) is also called as Finn’s Weaver, Yellow Weaver and Himalayan Weaver. In Uttarakhand, it is called Pahari (hill) Baya. Naming: The weaver bird was named Finn’s Weaver after Frank… Continue reading Finn’s Weaver
