Wild Animal News

Indian Authorities Relocate Villages in Efforts to Protect Tiger Population

Authorities in states in India relocate two to three villages a year in an effort to protect some of the country’s 3,000 tigers, according to news from India. The relocations are part of the long term tiger protection strategy of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

India is home to about 70 percent of the world’s free-roaming tigers. Recent studies have suggested that fragmented habitat due to human presence may be leading to inbreeding. Indian authorities keep tabs on the countries tiger reserves and are willing to relocate entire villages to reduce human-tiger conflict.

tiger in shallow photo — This view of a tiger stretching gives a good idea of the power of its forelegs and the size and strength of its paws. Photo by Richard Verbeek on Pexels.com

An example of village relocation comes from 2011 when the NTCA decided to relocate the village of Sunderkhal, The village lies in the middle of dense forest in what is termed a tiger corridor. Tigers from the nearby Corbett National Park began to expand their range. In the resulting conflict about 40 people died in a six-month period. Eight tigers were killed. Corbett National Park is the oldest such park in India and was founded in 1936.The relocation was voluntary. Residents could receive Indian currency worth about 15000 Euros at the time, which was about $17,000 USD. Or the residents could swap their current land for another parcel. The relocation project had one major flaw. Corbett Park is a popular tourist destination and there were no plans to stop building hotels and other tourist friendly structures in the region.

Map of Corbett National Park, founded in 1936, the oldest Indian national park and location of prime tiger habitat

The Park was named for Jim Corbett, a famous big-game hunter turned conservationist who hunted down known man -eating tigers. The park is located about 290 kilometers from Delhi in the foothills of the Himalayas. Corbett Park is one of the original 9 tiger reserves from Project Tiger in 1973. The park has grown from 324 square kilometers at its inception to about 1400 square kilometers, approximately 539 sqaure miles.

Project Tiger is the name of the original efforts to save the Bengal Tiger. It began April 1, 1973, when tigers in India were estimated to number around 1,200. Today, the number is three or four times as large.

Like Local Cougars, Indian Tigers May Be Losing Genetic Diversity, Becoming Inbred

Local cougar lovers are hopeful that a soon-to-be-built freeway overcrossing for wildlife may help save area cougars from inbreeding. Something similar may be needed in India to protect tigers there.

animal animal photography big cat feline — Tigers are the largest cats in the world, Their numbers worldwide have dropped from an estimated 100,000 in 1900 to perhaps 5,000 in the wild today. There are many more in zoos, shelters and private hands than in the wild. today Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

A recent study says that tigers in India are showing possible signs of inbreeding. India is home to 70 percent of the world’s free-roaming tigers. Inbreeding could be a disaster for the species. The article was published in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution. Locally the problem is mostly due to freeways which carve up the cat’s habitat. Freeways make seeking new territory to find a mate hazardous. The situation in India is similar but caused less by freeways than by fragmented habitat caused by human settlement.

The study examined 65 tigers from four of the five surviving tiger subspecies. Some lists contain the South China Tiger, but many experts consider it extinct. The study found Indian tigers (Bengal tigers) were more genetically diverse than their cousins from other parts of Asia. Tigers from the north were more diverse than those from the south, suggesting inbreeding. The study authors expressed uncertainty about whether inbreeding would adversely impact survival.

The ambitious Liberty Canyon project is designed to help save cougars and other local wildlife from inbreeding.

Undescended testicles and low sperm count found in local cats cause biologists to fear infertility leading to a dearth of healthy cubs.

The problem is essentially the same in both locales. Cats hemmed in by urbanization eventually mate with close relatives. There are more tigers in India than cougars locally so the damage would likely be slower to show up.

photo of a cougar near a log — The National Park Service has been studying local mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains for about 20 years. Photo by Nicky Pe on Pexels.com

The solution is the same in both areas. Find ways to connect separated populations and be sure the cats will use the pathway. The Liberty Canyon project provides a wide, inviting and natural looking pathway across the busy 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills. Ground breaking may take place as early as February with the project completed sometime in 2023.

Hunters Kill Wolves Roaming Out of Yellowstone Park; Perhaps 20 percent of Park’s Population

A large number of wolves who wandered out of the protection of Yellowstone National Park have been killed by hunters. The killings underscore the tenuous recovery of gray wolves in the American west as wolves try to return to their former range. Wolf advocates are worried because the hunting season is not over.

white wolf on brown dried leaves — Like dogs, gray wolves exhibit a variety of colors including white and black, Photo by Shelby Waltz on Pexels.com

Wolves once roamed freely throughout the United States. They were extirpated in most of their American range by 1960. A few survived in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota and their cousins, red wolves, survived in the South until 1967. Red wolves were so critically endangered that the survivors were captured. They entered captive breeding programs, but are once again hanging on by their teeth in the face of extinction.

brown deer standing on brown field — Elk are a prey species for both humans and wolves, leading to conflict between the two species. Photo by Ari Koess on Pexels.com

Gray wolves have always had mortal human enemies including stockmen and ranchers who blame them for deaths of domestic animals. Some hunters also wish to kill them. Attitudes softened starting in the 1970’s with a new generation of biologists studying wolf behavior and reintroduction efforts began in the 1990’s. Wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in 1995 and more favorable attitudes to wolves allowed for them to begin a slow reintroduction in other parks of the west. Wolves came into the United States from Canada and left Yellowstone. There are packs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, the Yellowstone region and California.

But the reintroduction has not been without controversy and wolves still have many enemies. Some troll the internet to brag about killing wolves. Some resort to poison.

a brown bear standing on green grass — Bears are able to chase wolves from kills, helping bears to survive lean winters. Photo by Tatjana on Pexels.com

Scientists say reintroduction has been good for the ecosystems involved. Wolf kills provide food for many smaller animals and scavengers. They also provide food for bears in difficult winters. Wolves have limited coyote populations, which may help smaller animals survive and thrive. Their impact on animals people hunt and on livestock has been debated but does not seem to be too large. Colorado State University notes, however, that although the total impact of wolves on livestock is low it is unevenly distributed. Some producers are hit seriously while others aren’t. The University also notes that wolves don’t always fully consume a kill, which rankles livestock owners.

Columbus Zoo Loses Key Accreditation, But Receives Nod From Another Accreditor

The Columbus Zoo, once home base for television wildlife expert “Jungle Jack” Hanna, has lost a key accreditation. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) stripped the zoo of its accreditation. The AZA acted because of reports of mishandled funds and other charges levelled against former officials including Hanna.

In better news for the zoo, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums recently accredited the zoo. The AMMPA is an international accreditation body, specializing in marine parks. The new accreditation is part of the zoos effort to regain status. Accreditation was granted after a two-day inspection.

The AZA stripped the zoo of its accreditation due to alleged financial irregularities. About $650,000 in funds may have been mishandled, leading to the departure of the management team in place at the time. There were also questions about Hanna’s alleged use of animals from unaccredited institutions in television appearances. A new management team has replaced the old and changes have been made. The zoo has cut ties with some of the organizations allegedly supplying animals in violation AZA guidelines.

This Pallas Cat is one of the 7,000 animals in the zoos collection. The animals represent 800 species.

the accreditation was yanked last year, but the zoo operated with a provisional accreditation while appealing the decision.The appeal was denied and the zoo must wait until summer to reapply. Accreditors are waiting to see proof the changes made can be sustained

Hanna has retired and severed all ties with the zoo. His family has announced the popular television figure is suffering from dementia and no longer takes a public role. On its website the zoo recognizes Hanna’s role in bringing the zoo to national prominence.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a non-profit zoo located on 400 acres near Powell, Ohio close to Columbus. The zoo traces its roots back to 1905 but did not obtain national prominence until Jack Hanna became director in 1978. He held that post until 1993 and became director emeritus that year, maintaining that role for more than a decade.

Florida manatees are present at the zoo. A recent increase in deaths of manatees in Florida has Increased calls for conservation

Hanna’s frequent television appearances on Late Night With David Letterman, Good Morning America and other shows brought the zoo into prominence. Critics allege he violated AZA guidelines in securing the animals used in his appearances.

Wildlife Abundant Near Site of Chernobyl Nuclear Accident, But Biologists Are Cautious About Mutation Risk

The accident was horrific . A nuclear reactor in the Ukraine exploded in April, 1986, killing people and blighting a huge area with nuclear waste. News coverage of the nuclear mishap gripped the world. Some thought the region would be a dead zone for centuries. Nearly 40 years later the exclusion zone around the destroyed power plant is not a desert but is thriving. Scientists are taking a closer and cautious look at the wildlife in the region, Genuine concerns about nuclear waste remain.

city landscape street hotel — **The 1986 explosion at Chernobyl created an exclusion zone of 1,600 miles around the doomed nuclear power plant** Photo by Oleh Mostipan on Pexels.com

Chernobyl is the name of a small town near the power plant, which itself became known as Chernobyl. In April, 1986 workers conducting what is called a “poorly designed” experiment at the nuclear plant made a series of mistakes. An analyst later said it was like trying to experiment on jet engines while flying. The plant exploded and an unknown number of people were killed, including emergency personnel trying to control fires. Estimates vary but perhaps 50 were killed outright and many others suffered life-threatening radiation exposure. A high-end estimate suggests 93,000 eventually died due to lingering effects of nuclear contamination. An unknown number of animals died outright or later from lingering effects. The disaster forced the then Soviet Union to create an exclusion. zone covering 1,600 square miles, an area about half the size of Yellowstone National Park.

nature animal head portrait — Eurasian lynx have returned to the area of the exclusion zone for the first time in 50 years. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Now. 36 years later the exclusion area is still off-limits to humans. But nature has made a comeback in the forbidden zone. Brown bears have returned for the first time in a century, Eurasian lynx for the first time in 50 years. Bison, dozens of types of birds and other creatures are abounding.

shallow focus photo of bear — *European brown bears have* returned to the region after a century of absence Photo by Janko Ferlic on Pexels.com

But the enormous success of gray wolves has astonished scientists and raised serious doubts. Attracted by the abundant supply of food, and the near total absence of humans, wolves in the forbidden zone apparently outnumber wolves in surrounding regions by perhaps 7 times. The zone is still radioactive and the worry that the wolves may be spreading genetic mutations when population pressure encourages them to move out of the zone. It is a problem that other species might share and it is under study.

One this seems certain, that the animals are thriving despite the radiation. It also seems certain that the lack of humans contributes strongly to the resurgence of animal populations.

Meanwhile the presence of humans has been a major obstacle as gray wolves seek to repopulate traditional areas of the US. Some are killed by cars and some are poisoned.

Tiger King “Joe Exotic” To Be Resentenced January 28

A federal judge will resentence “Joe Exotic” the “Tiger King” on January 28, following a successful appeal. Joe Exotic was sentenced to more than 20 years for assorted wildlife violations and other offenses. His sentence is expected to be lowered at resentencing. He has been held in federal medical prison facilities because he is suffering from cancer.

Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, ran an exotic wildlife park in Oklahoma. He became embroiled in a feud that led to his eventual arrest by federal authorities and closure of the park.

He was convicted of plotting a pair of murders-for-hire because he wanted to have a woman killed who ran a wildlife rescue operation. The two were embroiled in a legal dispute. Maldonado-Passage also killed five tigers and sold cubs. Authorities found he falsified wildlife records. His lawyers appealed his sentence, arguing it was miscalculated. Two murder-for-hire convictions were sentenced separately not as one sentencing offence. In July, an appeals court agreed that the sentence was too long. He is expected to receive a shorter sentence.

An undated file photo from the Santa Rosa County Jail in Mllton Florida shows “Tiger King” Joe Exotic who will be resentenced January 28 folowing conviction and imprisonment on federal wildlife charges.. Phot from AP

Promotional material for the live feed event celebrating the relocation of 141 animals once held by -Passage.

The lurid story of feuds and death plots became a Netflix series. Meanwhile, authorities worked to relocate the hundreds of tigers, bears and other animals held at the park. Living conditions at the park were substandard. The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg Colorado received many of the animals. The sanctuary operates on 10,000 acres in Texas and Colorado. They have accepted 141 animals so far.

Maldonado-Passage sold the facility. The new owners were unable to meet quality standards and another 97 animals will need to be relocated.

Colombian Vets Save Rare Albino Jaguarundi Kitten; Little Girl to Live in Animal Sanctuary

She is the first of her kind, and unlikely to survive in the wild. Rescuers have saved an albino Colombian jaguarundi kitten, treated her and placed her in a rescue sanctuary.

The all white, pink- eyed kitten was found four hours from an urban area in the Corantioquia region. She is the first albino kitten of her kind found in Colombia. She is now in the Conservation Park of Medellin. The park is her new home because it has the tools needed for her care. It is also a research facility. As a result, authorities dedided it was the best place for her.

white and grey kitten on brown and black leopard print textile — A white cat does not lack pigmentation and has normal colored eyes. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Vets decided that the kitten with her snow white coat would not be able to surprise prey or hide from predators. Albinism is a total lack of pigment and is different from white coloration. The girl was suffering from a respiratory infection and malnutrition. It is possible she was abandoned by her mother due to her odd appearance. The vets said .albinism brings with it other health issues. As a result of lack of pigmentation she may be more susceptible to melanoma. True albinism among house cats is extremely rare. According to the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory of the University of California at Davis, only four kittens out of 10,000 studied were albinos. The prevalence among wild cats is not known but is not believed to be higher than 2 percent.

Albino jaguarundi kitten feeding at veterinary facility. Photo uk.,style.yahoo.com

Jaguarundis are unusual cats in any event, often said to look more like weasels or otters. They live in Central and South America. A population of animals descended from captive cats is allegedly found in Florida. There is also a possibility of a population in Texas. Scattered report from New Mexico and Arizona have been noted. Despite the similarity in name jaguarundi (Herpailurus yaguarondi) are not related to jaguars. Recent study of cat genetics places them closer genetically to cougars (Puma concolor) and cheetahs (Aci nonyx jubatus). Like cheetahs they cannot fully retract their rear claws.

Albino jaguarundi kitten showing pink eyes

Colombian wildlife has been in the news recently as the imported hippos released into the country by a powerful drug lord have now become a challenge.

Startling Increase in Deaths of Florida Manatees Fuels Calls to Increase Protection of the Mammals

A sharp rise in the death of manatees in Florida, more than 1,000 in 2021, is leading to renewed calls for stronger protection. The deaths are due to environmental changes leading to starvation. according to marine biologists. The 2021 figure is more than twice the number recorded the year before, and is a grim milestone.

gray and white sea creature — Sometimes called sea cows manateese are large marine herbivores. They are facing threat in Florida due to the disappearance of their primary food. Photo by Koji Kamei on Pexels.com

The dire situation is leading some conservation groups to consider whether to sue and others to find ways to feed the manatees. The lawsuit would target the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for not keeping the manatee’s water habitat clean enough for their food to grow. Friends of the manatees want the animals returned to endangered status.

Florida manatees are large slow moving marine animals that tend to winter in Florida. In other times of the year the creatures disperse as far as Texas and Massachusetts. Usually herbivores, they do sometimes ingest small creatures. The rising death rate appears closely linked to the disappearance of their primary food source. Manatees consume seagrass as the bulk of their diet. In one manatee habitat, seagrass is down 58 percent over the last 11 years.

Sea grasses are the only true plants that live entirely underwater. Photo Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary,

Sea grasses are pretty much what the name suggests. Seagrasses are ocean plants that resemble terrestrial grass. They are often confused with seaweeds. Sea grasses apparently returned to the ocean millenia ago and today there are 72 species in four families. Seven varieties exist in Florida, covering up to 2.7 million acres. They require water clarity to thrive.

The problem is that pollution and algae blooms block sunlight. Pollution includes wastewater and microplastics. Algae grows in the murky water. The grasses have been disappearing at an alarming rate, leading to starvation for the manatees.

Manatees have faced threats from humans before. Often, the slow moving animals are victims of collisions with boats. The creatures also get trapped in crab fishing lines and drown or get caught in canal locks or flood control structures. Manatees can also ingest fish hooks and toxic trash. They were on the endangered species list until 2017 when it was thought they were recovering and calls are beginning now to relist them in the face of the new threats

Israeli Officials Fight Virus Killing Huge Numbers of Birds; Law Proposed to Fight Bird Poisoners

Israeli wildlife authorities struggle to contain an outbreak of an avian flu that has killed an estimated 5,000 cranes and led to the death of perhaps 500,000 chickens, according to news reports. Meanwhile, legislators are considering a law to punish people poisoning birds and other wildlife.

two grey crowned crane mating while standing on the grass — Photo by Anna **Tarazevich** on Pexels.com Israel is fighting a bird flu outbreak that has killed 5000 gray cranes. here two unidentified cranes share a moment

An estimated half million gray cranes pass through Israel each winter on their way to Africa, but some 30,000 or so remain in the country. These birds have been hard hit by the virus, but there are signs the viral attack is weakening. Israelis feed migratory birds to discourage them from eating crops and a number of birds remain.

The outbreak occurred in the Hula Valley Nature reserve in northern Israel and is attributed to the H5n 1 virus. The H5n1 virus is commonly called bird flu and it causes severe respiratory disease in many varieties of birds. It can infect humans, almost always from handling dead or diseased birds, but is otherwise rarely transmitted to people. If transmitted to humans it is serious, however, as mortality can reach 60 percent.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com The death of up to a half million chickens in Israel may lead to an egg shortage

Sadly, because the cranes probably got the virus from domestic fowl, about 500,000 chickens were slaughtered to contain the virus which also killed numbers of egrets and pelicans The death of so many chickens has raised fears of an egg shortage and eggs are being imported to make up the loss.

There have not been any reported cases among humans so far.

Birds in Israel also face human threats. A bill has been introduced in the Israeli Knesset (parliament) to stiffen penalties for wildlife poisoning. The impetus for the bill was the poisoning of 9-12 vultures, up to six percent of the entire population in the country. Poisoners use illegal pesticides to kill wildlife including the vultures and endangered white tailed eagles. The proposed bill would stiffen penalties and give authorities greater power to search out lawbreakers.

Israel is not the only nation fighting wildlife poisoners. Legally used pesticides are killing American wildlife and Oregon authorities are seeking to arrest the poisoners of a ranging pack.

French Zookeepers Shoot Four Wolves, After Pack Escapes Enclosure

Zookeepers in southwest France recently shot four members of a 9 member wolf pack because the wolves left their enclosure. The wolves, recent arrivals at the zoo, exhibited “dangerous behavior,” zoo officials said, leading to the shootings. As a result, the zoo is now closed until late January. The exact nature of the dangerous behavior was not released

The wolves damaged the locks in the enclosure and climbed a fence to escape. The incident occurred during business hours. No injuries were reported. As a result, officials closed the zoo immediately and it remains shut. The animals never left the zoo property. The five remaining animals were returned to their enclosure and anesthetized.

black wolf on green grass — Photo by patrice schoefolt on Pexels.com Wolves such as these group together in families called packs which consist usually of a breeding pair and their offspring.

The shooting occurred at the Trois Vallees zoo in Montredon-Labessonnie. The zoo houses some 600 animals. Montredon-Labessonnie is a commune in the mountainous Tarn department and home to about 2,000 people. The zoo sits on about 150 acres of land and houses about 70 species of animals. The zoo was recently ordered shut by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition citing safety and security concerns. A French court overturned the order, ruling the closure had been improperly imposed and illegally impacted the rights of the owners. The ministry, less formally known as the ministry of ecology, was formed about 16 months ago and implements French policy on biodiversity, climate, sustainable development and energy transition.

The zoo is located in Montredon Labessonnie a commune in Tarn in Southern France

Meanwhile, in California wolves returning to repopulate the state face an uncertain future and someone has been poisoning Oregon wolves.