Wild Animal News

The Indian government’s ambitious plan to reintroduce cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) into suitable Indian habitat has faced many challenges. But the latest Project Cheetah setback may doom the project.

Javan, the projects only free ranging cat has been found dead, possibly from suspected drowning. Since cheetahs rarely drown the actual cause of death is still under investigation.

The death of the cat throws the project into confusion and may be the final Project Cheetah setback.

As envisioned the plan involved transplanting cheetahs from Namibia to India. The transplanted cats were to be acclimated to life in India and then released. But many of the transplanted cats have died. The others are in captive isolation and may not be released into the wild.

India has had a number of conservation successes, including Project Tiger, which helped bring the regal cat back from the brink of extinction. The potential failure of Project Cheetah has brought out critical response.

“Dr Ravi Chellam, a wildlife biologist and conservation scientist, believes that India’s cheetah endeavour has reached a conservation dead end, with little hope for revival.

When asked if the multimillion dollar cheetah project could be salvaged, Chellam’s response was blunt: “Not really, because we’ve put the cart before the horse.”

“We should have first prepared a sufficient extent of suitable habitat and then brought the cats. Instead, the cats have been here in India for nearly two years, and we are still preparing small fragments of habitat, fencing these areas, and focusing on captive breeding,” he said.

The longer the surviving cats remain in captivity the less hope for successful reintroduction, some experts say.

The deceased cat was named Pavan and his life and death echoes that of P-22. P-22 was the famous Los Angeles mountain lion (Puma concolor) whose exploits pushed development of the Liberty Canyon overcrossing. He succumbed to old age, chronic disease and the results of a car strike. He was one of over 100 of the big cats

studied by the National Park Service (NPS) in the Sant Monica Mountains,

“Dr Laurie Marker, one of the world’s foremost cheetah experts, said the recent death marks a significant setback.

“[Pavan’s death is] very sad. He had been out for nearly two years, showing how well wild cheetahs can live,” Marker told This Week in Asia.

“Reintroduction is a very, very hard process. We need many cheetahs to re-establish an extinct population. The process is not easy. We will celebrate Pavan’s life for helping his species regain territory in India. I ask all of India to honour him and what he stands for,” Marker said.” Marker is executive director of theCheetah Conservation Fund.

The Project Cheetah setback has to be viewed against the risks facing cheetahs world wide. There are about 7,000 thought to be alive now, the majority in Africa. Asiatic cheetahs survive in Iran in a complex political situation. They may number as few as 30 and as many as 100. The Iranian Cheetah Society is seeking to protect the surviving cheetahs in that region.

Although the African lion population is estimated at 25,000 individuals, increasing habitat fragmentation is putting the future of Panthera leo in serious risk .Researchers at Oxford University have completed a recent continent wide survey that shows the cats are at serious risk from the fragmentation of populations

They are therefore facing some of the same threats as jaguars (Panthera onca) tigers (Panthera tigris) cougars (Puma concolor) and Gir lions (a subspecies of Panthera leo) in India . Potentially, some of the same strategies that seem to be aiding these big cats can be used to help protect the African lion population

“The study built on extensive lion monitoring projects which WildCRU has playevd a major role in for decades to map the current state of lion populations across Africa. Thise revealed that whilst the total population of wild lions in Africa may be estimated art between 20,000 and 25,000 individuals, many of these live within small, fragmented populations at risk of disappearing. For instance, of the 25 countries where African lions remain, nearly half of these nations have fewer than 250 individuals, with eight countries having only a single wild lion population. Furthermore, less than half of the 62 known wild African lion populations have over 100 lions.

However, the vulnerability of different lion populations cannot be assessed simply through their size.  For each population, the researchers identified ecological and socio-political factors that may influence their survival. Smaller lion populations or higher densities of people and livestock, for example, would contribute to higher ecological fragility, while higher levels of corruption or lower GDP per capita would contribute to greater socio-political fragility. These were then integrated into a single overall fragility index.”

WildCru is Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit. Professor Amy Dickman is the director.

The study of the African lion population is in line with the results of similar research about other large cats. Habitat fragmentation is a serious risk for many large cats. Cougars in the Santa Monica Mountains, for example, are inbreeding due to habitat fragmentation. The overcrossing in Liberty Canyon is expected to build a wildlife corridor to help ease that problem. Cats and other wildlife will be able to cross over the deadly 101 Freeway. Wildlife corridors help animals cross dangerous areas such as freeways. The liberty Canyon venture is inspiring conservationists in Belize to bridge the gap between jaguar populations. Another tactic is straightforward reintroduction. India, for example has imported cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) from Namibia. The animals are expected to repopulate parts of India from which they were driven at least 70 years ago.

tNone of the methods so far have been a “silver bullet.” But together they are working. In addition, eco-tourism has increased the value of all wildlife, Tourists viewing wildlife pump increasing amounts of money into local economies viewing. Other efforts seek to decrease conflict between humans and wildlife. One example is beekeeping and snow leopards. Convincing locals to keep bees rather than livestock can give the locals a reliable source of income. It also reduces conflict with the cats over predation.

Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) are an invasive species wreaking havoc on Florida’s ecosystems already under attack from numerous other invasive species. For several years Florida python hunters have answered the call to retaliate. This year is no exception.

According to Popular Science the annual 10-day hunt began earlier in August. The goal for Floria python hunters is to catch and destroy as many of the rapacious creatures as possible. The snakes may have eaten 90 of the mammals in some areas. Nevertheless, the snakes are to be disposed of humanely or even eaten.

The recommended disposal method is pithing. The snake is first hit on the head with a mallet. Then an ice pick or similar tool is used to scramble the brain. There are suggestions that people should eat the python meat. Some restaurants are experimenting with python dishes. The official website has all the rules and regulations for aspiring Florida python hunters. There are year-round opportunities to help reduce the numbers of pythons in the state.

Last year 209 were taken by Florida python hunters during the event. An estimated 18,000 have been captured under any circumstances up to 2023. The estimated python population may be 300,000 so these numbers seem small. But a female can lay up to 100 eggs at a time. The average is lower. She lays multiple clutches during her lifetime. Taking a female out of the equation is a significant victory.

Catching a female prevents the laying of hundreds of eggs.

It is also possible that the snakes will migrate out of Florida. The reptiles have moved out of the Everglades and may move to other states.

Colorado reintroduced gray wolves (Canis lupus) to the state last December. Now as Colorado wolves begin to eat livestock one wonders about the future of the controversial reintroduction.

According to SkyHighNews wolves have killed just over one dozen head of livestock since the return of the wolves to the state. Colorado wildlife authorities are aware of the anger against the return of the predators. They have been closely monitoring the wolves and even mapping their movements for the public. SkyHighNews is a news outlet serving Grand County, Colorado.

The wolves were brought back into the state after a hotly fought ballot initiative resulted in a win for reintroduction. Colorado wildlife authorities are investigating the killings. They have been sensitive to public concerns. They maintain a map locating generalized wolf activity.

Wolf reintroduction has pitted mainly urban wolf conservationists against mostly rural ranchers, farmers and other livestock iterests.

The problem remains that wolves are predators and do kill livestock. How to evaluate and compensate losses remains an issue.

As Colorado wolves begin to eat livestock the issue. Is heating up. Colorado wildlife biologists are in the middle of the contesting factions. Wolves have been slowly moving back into old habitats since the 1970s. Opposition remains fierce, however. Wolves have been poisoned in Oregon and California. The battle is not confined to the United States. Successful reintroduction in Italy has resulted in retaliation.

The rancher faction is not without evidence. As a recent post of ours noted French authorities estimate wolves kill 15,000 head of livestock annually.

Leopards are one of the the world’s big cats and join four others in the panthera lineage. Leopards (Pathera pardus), Tigers (Panthera tigris) Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) lions (Panthera leo) and jaguars(Panthera onca) comprise the roaring cats. All are under some level of threat. Leopards may be the most numerous of all and India and Tanzania lead the world in the population estimate.

According to WorldoStats the two nations have about 14,000 leopards each. Far more than other countries, Countries such as South Africa are considered to have robust populations if they have as many as 5,000 of the cats. Habitat loss and poaching are major threats to leopards throughout their range

Worldostats says:

• India: India is home to one of the largest populations of leopards in the world. Estimates suggest there are about 12,000 to 14,000 leopards across the country. The dense forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries provide ideal habitats for these adaptable predators. Prominent regions with substantial leopard populations include Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. The leopard’s presence is notable even in urban fringes, making them a unique case of human-wildlife coexistence. India’s conservation efforts, led by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and various state forest departments, have been instrumental in protecting these big cats.
• Tanzania: Tanzania is renowned for its rich biodiversity, and leopards are an integral part of its wildlife heritage. The country boasts a healthy population of leopards, particularly in renowned national parks such as the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Estimates suggest there are around 5,000 to 10,000 leopards in Tanzania, although the exact numbers are challenging to ascertain due to their elusive nature. The extensive savannas and protected areas in Tanzania provide ideal hunting grounds and habitats for leopards. The country’s commitment to wildlife conservation, through organizations like the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), ensures that these majestic cats continue to thrive.

Conservation efforts are in play around the world. Saudi Arabia is working hard to protect the smallest and one of the rarest of the leopard subspecies. India is performing a balancing act as efforts to increase tiger populations may result in leopards abandoning areas where tigers abound. India and Tanzania are both seeking to maintain stable leopard populations.

Leopards do have a couple of advantages in the fight for survival. Up to about 150 poun, the cats are much smaller than lions, tigers and jaguars so they can subsist on smaller prey in a pinch. They are also so stealthy that there have been reports of leopards living close proximity to people. They also have many humans who respect them. As the picture below shows, leopards can be mistaken for jaguars and vice versa. The jaguars is significantly larger, however and its spots (rosettes) frequently have a spot inside them.

Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are the largest living members of the crocodile family. They apparently can be also be called surfers. According to AZ Animals surfing saltwater crocodiles have now been tracked completing surfing safaris of hundreds of miles.

The crocodiles had been spotted far out to sea in the past, but how they traveled and how far they could go remained a mystery. Some years ago the late Steve Irwin, known as the “Crocoile Hunter” helped finance the research that has now borne fruit.

According to A-Z Animals:

“So, after decades of stories of crocodiles swimming far out to sea, a group of researchers finally decided to test the veracity of the claims. Using traps and anesthetic, they implanted a group of adult saltwater crocodiles with tracking devices. Over the course of a year, they recorded all the crocs’ movements.

What they found was astonishing. The researchers discovered that saltwater crocodiles do indeed travel great distances in open ocean water to reach distant islands. They showed that crocodiles could “surf”; one saltie even surfed over 366 miles in 25 days. To accomplish this, crocodiles only swim when the tide is with them. When the tide is against them, they dive deeper or rest until the tide turns.”

According to Brittanica saltwater (or estuarine) crocodiles ” …are the largest living reptiles, growing up to 7 metres (about 23 feet) long and weighing up to 1,200 kg (nearly 2,650 pounds). Most, however, range from 2.3 to 3.3 metres (about 7.5 to 10.8 feet) in length and weigh 150 to 300 kg (330 to 660 pounds). Males tend to be about one-third larger and heavier than females. Nocturnal hunters, estuarine crocodiles can consume any animal that they can capture—including people and other estuarine crocodiles. They typically prey on everything from insects, crustaceans, small reptiles, and birds up to animals the size of a water buffalo. They often emerge from below the surface of a body of water to strike at an unsuspecting victim, pulling it into the water to devour it.”

In case you were wondering there are no surfing saltwater crocodiles in the United States. There are, however, American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus). They are quite large, as much as 20 feet long. They can be found from South Florida into the Caribbean. Crocodiles and alligators are closely related. American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are quite common and far less likely to attack humans. Crocodiles kill about 1,000 people worldwide annually. Alligators attack very few and kill fewer.

American alligators have their hands full with Burmese pythons. They are about the only predator capable of keeping Python bivittatus in some check.

Sharks are amazing creatures. Most are saltwater but a few, notably bull sharks, manage to live in fresh and salt water. Surprisingly, Mississippi River bull sharks can travel about 1,000 miles up that enormous American river, scientists now say

The sharks, Carcharhinus leucas, have long been known to inhabit both fresh and salt water. They have been found in oceans and rivers in other parts of the world. Now they can be found swimming American waters.

The discovery is significant for a number of reasons. They are large (about 10 feet long) and aggressive. Although shark attacks are rare bull sharks are on most lists of potential mankillers. Apparently there have been no attacks on people by Mississippi river bull sharks

According to Brittanica:

“Bull sharks have been found in Lake Nicaragua, several hundred kilometres up Africa’s Zambezi River, and nearly 3,700 km (about 2,300 miles) up the Amazon River in Peru. The bull shark is recognized by its blunt snout, large dorsal fin, pale to dark gray dorsal coloration, and white underside. The species is aggressive, and bull shark attacks on people have been recorded..

The bull shark is a large active predator. The biggest females can reach 4 metres (about 13 feet) in length and weigh as much as 316.5 kg (about 700 pounds). Males are slightly smaller, growing to a length of 3.6 metres (11.8 feet). The species hunts in coral reef areas and nearshore waters less than 30 metres (98 feet) deep to prey upon other fishes as well as seabirds, marine turtles, and marine mammals. “

They sometimes eat crustaceans and scavenge garbage.

Sharks and rays are related and about 1,000 species exist, with more being discovered as time passes, .

They are highly unusual creatures. One of the more unusual sharks is the ghost shark. A new species was recently discovered.

Ghost sharks are among the most unusual of sharks. They have made striking adaptations to survive According to Newsweek scientists have found a new ghost shark species. This creature lives in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand. The new ghost shark is one of several dozen members of the chimaera family.

The new ghost shark is one of several unusual sharks that have been in the news lately including the Greenland shark. That shark can live for centuries. Adapted for cold water it has surprised scientists by being found in tropical waters. A eat in some ways similar to a Mississippi River bull shark leaving salt water to climb the river toward Canada.

Recently, Colorado re-introduced gray wolves (Canis lupus) into the state. The newly-released Colorado wolves are being closely monitored. They appear to be nearing Rocky Mountain National Park. Experts are glad because the wolves were exterminated from the area before the park was founded in 1915.

Rocky Mountain National Park covers about 415 square miles, nearly 265,000 acres. According to the National Park Service:

“Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing.”

The wolves were released into Colorado last year as a result of the victory of a proposition. the release was controversial. City dwellers and environmentalists generally supported the move. Hunters, ranchers, stockmen and others opposed the move.

As a result state wildlife officials are watching the wolves closely. Many are collared and their general movements are reported to the public.

The newly-released Colorado wolves wander widely. They have been located close to the boundaries of the park, None have so far been spotted inside.

Wolves are controversial all over the world. Reintroduction efforts in the United States have been met with resistance. Some other countries have been more accepting. But wolf haters remain. Newly-released Colorado wolves are no exception to the controversy meme.

India is working hard to protect its wild cats. The nation has recently completed a first-ever census of the snow leopard. . The Indian snow leopard count stands at 718. The difficult to make count is a major step toward protecting the cats. India is home to a larger number of wild cats than any other nation.

Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) live high in the mountains of Asia. It is thought there may be 7,000 living along Asia’s mountain spine.

The Indian Express said hostile conditions and the elusive nature of the well-camouflaged cats made census difficult.

According to The Express:

“The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) has estimated a population of 718 in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Carried out between 2019 and 2023, this study is a major leap in our understanding of the keystone species.”

The SPAI is part of a country wide effort to study the vulnerable creatures and assure their future. Snow leopards are not true leopards being more closely related to tigers (Panthera tigris). They inhabit about a dozen mountainous nations in Asia. Bhutan recently reported as much as a 40 percent increase in their numbers. The Indian snow leopard count was a first, while Bhutan’s recent report was its second. China, meanwhile, says the cats are also doing well in Tibet. Tibet is a formerly independent nation now dominated by China. China Daily reported stable populations of a number of wild animals in Tibet after a recent study.

China Daily said 143 infrared cameras have been placed in the region and have caught more than 100 images. Snow leopards, wolves, Eurasian lynx, brown bears, Tibetan brown bears and Dhole wild dogs have all been caught on camera. Local officials were quoted as saying that the apex predators appear to have adequate food supplies.

In addition to official park patrol officers local herders are being trained in management techniques. This to help protect the snow leopards and other species. China Daily said other protected and threatened species also inhabit the region. Tibetan wild asses, musk deer and Tibetan gazelle have been seen. Other countries are seeking to reduce competition by steering locals away from raising livestock. They are encouraging other pursuits such as beekeeping.

The success of the Indian snow leopard count and the encouraging results from Bhutan and elsewhere may point to a brighter future for the cats.

Efforts are also underway to mitigate conflict between humans and the cats

The clouded leopard population (Neofelis nebulosa) is declining, A new study suggests that habitat fragmentation, inbreeding and difficult captive breeding are to blame for the decline in both species of cat, N, nebulosa and N diardi.

According to Mongabay the study is prompting experts to try and find ways to help the cats.

According to Brittanica

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“There are two species of clouded leopard, which are genetically distinct from one another. Neofelis nebulosa, found on the mainland of southeastern Asia, particularly in forests and other wooded regions, and N. diardi (also called the Bornean clouded leopard), found on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, are thought to have diverged about 1.4 million years ago. The population of clouded leopards declined sharply in the latter half of the 20th century as a result of hunting and deforestation. They are reported to be nocturnal and to live in trees; they prey on birds and on small mammals, such as pigs and monkeys.”

Britannica says:

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“A rather short-legged cat, the clouded leopard has a long head and large upper-canine teeth that are proportionately longer than those of any other cat. The coat of N. nebulosa is short and grayish brown, spotted on the body with large, dark patches partly edged with black; the head, legs, and long tail are spotted. N. diardi is similar in appearance but has a darker coat and smaller patches. The male clouded leopard may attain a length of about 106 cm (42 inches) excluding the 90-cm tail, a shoulder height of about 80 cm, and a weight of about 23 kg (50 pounds); the female is smaller.”

Current estimates suggest the clouded leopard population numbers about 10,000 in the wild. They are considered vulnerable to extinction.

In many cats captive breeding helps reduce extinction threats. Unfortunately, among the clouded leopard population in captivity the males were killing the females.

Close observation of the cats and attempts to reduce stress appear to be the key. The males were prone to kill the females at night if they were left alone. But Smithsonian National Zoo researchers worked with counterparts in Thailand to help unravel the problem. Researchers began making changes in caretaking. Eventually, stress hormones in the cat’s droppings fell as a result of the changes they made.

The changes included closer monitoring of the animals. The introduction of stress reducing enrichments, and gradual introduction among cats.

NBC said of the Smithsonian efforts:

“For years the incredibly rare cats had frustrated zookeepers hoping to breed them. The males killed the females, sometimes almost instantly. Even if they could tolerate one another in a cage, they refused to breed. And they hid. The Smithsonian staff overcame those problems through dogged patience, making one change after another to reduce the animals’ stress, improve their health and get them in the mood for mating. These ranged from giving them trees to climb, to varying their diet and gradually getting them used to being together.”

Because of genetic similarities clouded leopards are sometime classed among the big cats. They are not true leopards. Thy do have the longest teeth in proportion of any current cat. Somewhat like “saber-toothed tigers.” The clouded leopard population is so scattered that no more than 1,000 are thought to exist in each range country.

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