Sustainability and Biodiversity Conservation

The Checklist of Bird Species around the “Tillari Conservation Reserve” in Maharashtra, India

Ajinkya Bagal — 2025-03-05

In the intricate tapestry of nature, birds play a vital role, acting as key indicators of ecosystem health and contributing significantly to ecological processes. This study delves into the avifaunal diversity of the Tillari Conservation Reserve, located in the Western Ghats—a global biodiversity hotspot facing increasing threats to its unique ecosystems. The diverse landscape, ranging from reserved forests on slopes to privately owned lowlands, provides a rich backdrop for avian exploration. Our study, conducted from November 2021 to April 2022, the findings reveal a rich tapestry of avian life, with 103 distinct bird species identified across 19 orders and 51 families. Passeriformes dominate, constituting 42.72% of the recorded species, followed by significant orders such as Accipitriformes, Pelecaniformes, and Coraciiformes. Families like Accipitridae, Ardeidae, and Muscicapidae stand out, showcasing the diversity within the avian community. Noteworthy is the revelation that a majority (91%) of observed species are categorized as 'least concerned' according to IUCN. However, a few species, including the while Great Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, and River Tern are classified as 'vulnerable' (3%) based on IUCN. The study sheds light on the unique avian inhabitants of this conservation reserve, providing baseline information crucial for future conservation initiatives in the Western Ghats. This research serves as a testament to the interconnectedness of diverse species in this critical ecological corridor, urging further exploration and preservation efforts in this globally significant region.

New record of Fan throated lizard, the mason wasp and Stick insect from Perumal hills, India with their notes

Selvaraj Selvamurugan — 2025-03-05

Few records describe the notes and their distributions, significant from Perumal hills, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu state, India. Our study provides a substantial basis for establishing a natural classification of the recorded species.

Detection of Paradoxurus philippinensis in Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary (MCWS), Philippines, on different moon phases

Nemuel Punongbayan-Candelaria — 2025-03-05

Using a non-invasive sampling established in a 14 km² land area of MCWS, observation of Paradoxorus philippinensis concerning different cycles of the moon showed that most records of appearance were during the Half and Gibbous phases. A multinomial Chi-Square test points out that the amount of civet detection on various moon phases is significantly different, implicating possible inferences on the effects of moon phases in Philippine palm civet’s nocturnal activity.

Exploring the Animal Market on Facebook: A Case Study of the Syrian Wildlife Trade

Ahmad Aidek — 2025-03-05

Syria contains rich ecosystems and habitats that support the presence of rich biodiversity. However, several threats have significantly declined species composition and population size, including hunting for trade purposes. Despite the legislative framework to control hunting and protect species, the Syrian conflict since 2011 has profoundly impacted wildlife species. This study highlights the illegal wildlife trade in Syria, mainly through the social media platform Facebook. The findings reveal that birds are the most frequently traded animals, driven by cultural traditions and economic incentives. Species such as the Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) and the European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) are notably among the most traded animals, with substantial numbers harvested, sold, and smuggled to adjacent countries. The presence of threatened species, including the Endangered saker falcon (Falco cherrug) and steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis), underscores significant conservation concerns. Mammals, such as the Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) and various gazelle species, also feature prominently in the trade. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders and continuous wildlife trade monitoring are essential to protect Syria's biodiversity and ensure sustainable conservation outcomes.

Conservation challenges and hope: A study on herpeto-fauna in the Totalai Game Reserve (District Buner) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Pakistan.

Aziz Ullah — 2025-03-05

About one-third of amphibians (40.7%) and one in five reptile species (21%) are threatened with extinction. We conducted the t present study to examine the diversity, richness, and abundance of herpetofauna in the Totalai game reserve (District Buner) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Pakistan. We gathered data from June 2021 to July 2023 in selected sampling sites of the study area using standard methods. We detected only 19 herpetofauna species with six amphibians, seven lizards, and six snake species belonging to 11 different families. Our results indicated that the Rocky and Human settlement areas exhibited higher diversity (Shannon H = 2.298) and more even distribution (e^H/S = 0.5241) of species compared to the Agricultural area (e^H/S = 1.835) and Water bodies (e^H/S = 2.286). Additionally, the Rocky area and Human settlement showed a greater abundance (D = 0.1374) of species, indicating a more diverse array of species in these habitats (Table II). Examination of individual species’ distribution revealed all four habitats displayed a relatively even spread. The entire study region had a moderate level of species diversity Index (H') =1.095. The major threats are believed to be water pollution due to inadequate sewage systems and the scarcity of water bodies. Additionally, the lack of awareness among the local communities and the officials of the Wildlife Department of KPK, lead to the neglect of amphibian and reptile conservation efforts.

The golden jackal in the Jordan River: Ecological insights, coexistence and conservation strategies

Ehab Eid — 2025-03-05

This study represents the first comprehensive long-term monitoring program for golden jackal (Canis aureus syriacus) in Jordan. The research took place on a private citrus fruit farm in the lower Jordan River region, employing camera traps with a total effort of 2,548 trapping days from June 2020 to February 2022. The findings provide new insights into the species' activity patterns, population estimates, interspecies coexistence, and various ecological aspects. A population of approximately 12 individuals was monitored, with 24% of the recorded photos capturing a mated pair and 8% showing packs of three to six individuals. The jackals exhibited diverse survival strategies, utilizing the Jordan River as a natural barrier for protection and movement and the dense reed vegetation for hiding and shelter. Activity and group formations peaked in October, suggesting that reproductive activities likely commence from August to January. Social behaviors such as grooming, playing, and resting were primarily observed during the autumn and winter seasons, mostly at night, to avoid the high daytime temperatures in the northern Ghor, which can exceed 45 °C in summer. The study recorded no interactions between jackals and feral dogs, suggesting an absence of interspecific hybridization. Additionally, the spatial and temporal coexistence of the golden jackal with other wildlife, including Egyptian mongooses, nutria, and black storks, was noted, possibly due to similar ecological requirements and reduced competition. The study emphasizes the significance of restricted access and protection by the army, which enhances the potential for implementing the Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) approach to conserve species and aid Jordan's efforts in meeting its obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity. This study significantly contributes to the enhance our understanding of the golden jackals in Jordan.