Bangladesh police rescue tigers, lions from smugglers

AFP•November 13, 2017

Bengal tiger cubs at a wildlife shelter in El Salvador (AFP Photo/Marvin RECINOS)

Bangladesh police on Monday rescued four tiger and lion cubs that they said were being smuggled to India and arrested two suspects.

Police said they were investigating whether the tiger cubs were poached from the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, which has a significant population of endangered Bengal tigers.

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But they had no idea where the lion cubs could have come from.

Police acting on a tip-off found the animals in wooden boxes in a car in the western city of Jessore, district police chief Anisur Rahman told AFP.

"We detained two people in this connection. They are animal smugglers who were delivering the cubs to a man at Sharsha," Rahman said, referring to a town on the Indian border.

"We suspect they were being brought here to be smuggled to India," he said.

Bangladesh brought in new laws in 2010 to protect wildlife, but poaching remains rampant.

In 2012, the country's elite police rescued three Bengal tiger cubs after a raid in the capital.

The tiger population in the 10,000 square-kilometre (3,861 square-mile) Sunderbans forest dropped to just over 100 in 2015 from an estimated 440 a decade earlier.

The rescue comes just months after Bangladesh police declared victory over crime in the Sundarbans, crediting a gun buyback scheme.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/bangladesh-police-rescue-tigers-lions-smugglers-095412403.html

SC issues notice on contempt petition over shifting Gujarat lions to Madhya Pradesh

P Naveen | TNN | Updated: Nov 14, 2017, 15:50 IST

The petitioner submitted that Gujarat has in the letter raised a contention that prey density at Kuno is not adequate

BHOPAL: Supreme court on Tuesday issued notices to the environment ministry and Gujarat government in connection with contempt petition in the SC demanding action against the government of India and the Gujarat government for not implementing the apex court order of April 2013 directing translocation of lions to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh from Sasan Gir in Gujarat.

Ajay Dubey, a wildlife activists from Madhya Pradesh, has filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court demanding action against the government of India and the Gujarat government for not implementing the apex court order of April 2013 directing translocation of lions to Kuno Palpur from Sasan Gir.

"We welcome court's decision. Translocation of lions is not only important for the environment but also for the poor people in Sheopur. They will get a new source of livelihood," said Dubey confirming that notices have been served to the two respondents.

Madhya Pradesh's hopes of getting the magnificent species on its land had faded after Narendra Modi, the proud custodian of Gir lions, moved from Gandhi Nagar to the helm at Delhi. But in another blow to MP's hopes, two Gujarat-based NGOs to had filed separate petitions challenging translocation of lions to Kuno.

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The petitioner has highlighted the wilful non-compliance of the apex court order of April 15, 2013. The said order directed the respondents to constitute an expert committee to oversee and ensure re-introduction of Asiatic lions from Gir forest to Kuno Palpur. The respondents have not taken any action to implement the directions of the court and have instead raised technical objections challenging the very rationale of the directions, the petitioner submitted.

The petitioner submitted that the government of Gujarat through principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) & chief wildlife warden raised several contentions that were already dealt by the apex court in its April 2013 order. The petitioner submitted that Gujarat has contended that for translocation of lions to take place it must first be proved that Kuno is a suitable habitat in accordance with the IUCN guidelines. The petitioner submitted that a survey conducted by the Research Advisory Committee of Wildlife institute of India in 1995, Kuno Wildlife was found to be the most suitable site for reintroduction in establishing a free ranging population of Asiatic lions.

The petitioner submitted that Gujarat has in the letter raised a contention that prey density at Kuno is not adequate. The Supreme Court in its order has stated that several prey density surveys have been conducted by various experts, WII and the Government of Madhya Pradesh, including in 2004-2005, 2008 and 2012 surveys and the density was more than the existing prey base in Gir.

The government of Gujarat in a letter to the expert committee has contended that the presence of tigers in the occupied area at Kuno is one of the major obstacles for the translocation project. However according to Dr Asad Rehmani of Bombay Natural History Society, sporadic presence of tigers in Kuno is in no case detrimental to reintroduction of lions, the petitioner has submitted before the apex court.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/sc-issues-notice-on-contempt-petition-over-shifting-gujarat-lions-to-madhya-pradesh/articleshow/61642816.cms

In Photos: Lost Legacy of Gujarat’s African-Origin Siddi Tribe

Neeraj Gupta1 DAY AGO

Some 12 kilometres away from the town of Talala, in Somnath district of Gujarat, goes a small road to a village called Jambur, bordering the dense forests of Gir. The village is marked by a small signboard at the end of the lane that reads “Jambur gram panchayat aapka swagat karta hai” (Jambur gram panchayat welcomes you). The village gives you a feel of being in Africa, thanks to the African origin of the villagers, who now speak fluent Gujarati. The community is called Siddhi Badhshah.

Fifty-year-old Yusufbhai Mori sits outside his house in Jambur village. Mori is currently unemployed.

(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

While most of the community members cannot explain their origin, 52-year-old Parmar Hashim said that they are descendants of Jamalluddin Yakut, who was a confidante and love interest of Razia Sultan, who ruled Delhi in the 12th century.

Children playing in Jambur village.

(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

Also Read: Bigger Worries for BJP Than Defeat in Chitrakoot (Hint: Gujarat)

Fifty-two-year-old Parmar Hashim is a labourer in Jambur.

(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

A few other people, however, tell a different version of their origin. According to a few old women, they are the descendants of Africans that the Nawab of Junagad brought to the Gir forest to hunt lions.

The old women in Jambur also work as labourers.

(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

Also Read: In Poll-bound Gujarat, Farmers Are Denied Payout for Failed Crops

Ashraf, 36, is a vegetable vendor. His family has 11 other members and this is their sole source of income.

(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

While the village lacks the most basic facilities, the youth work as security guards, auto-drivers, or vegetable vendors.

Fourteen-year-old Alfeeza and 15-year-old Ajebu embroidering sarees.

(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

Apart from manual labour, young girls in the village also take up jobs like embroidering sarees. While one saree needs around four days of hard work, the payment for each saree is a meagre Rs 100.

The village of Jambur is plagued by unemployment and lack of basic facilities. Most of the young men and women work as labourers.

(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

Also Read: When Bollywood Meets Gujarat Elections & the Modi-Rahul Rivalry

Most of the villagers are categorised as scheduled castes. 

(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

While most of the villagers are Muslims, they are categorised as scheduled castes. Most of them, however, say that the scheduled caste status never helped them get any jobs. They marry within their community. Many claim that they are good at sports due to their African origin, but don’t get enough opportunities.

If Usain Bolt and Chris Gayle can do wonders for their respective countries, we can too. We are talented and we want to put it to good use. We can do a lot if we are suppported well.

Aslam, 23

Children pose for a photograph in Jambur village

(Photo: Neeraj Gupta/The Quint)

Are our politicians listening?
https://www.thequint.com/photos/a-community-of-african-origin-is-living-deep-inside-the-gir-forest-in-gujarat

Not lowest, the best bidder will get Byculla zoo revamp project

The tenders for the second phase, which includes construction of 17 animal enclosures to house Asiatic lion, jackal, Bengal Tiger, and sloth bear, were floated in August.

mumbai Updated: Nov 14, 2017 19:47 IST

Eeshanpriya M S
Hindustan Times

Earlier, Highway Constructions was to handle the entire revamp project. But after the death of Dory in October 2016, a part of it was scrapped. (FILE)

Instead of awarding contract for the second phase of Byculla zoo revamp to the lowest bidder, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in a first, plans to give it based on merit.
Highway construction, which got into trouble with the BMC following the death of one of the penguins at Byculla zoo, for submitting forged experience certificates, is the lowest bidder for the Rs120-crore project. The tenders for the second phase, which includes construction of 17 animal enclosures to house Asiatic lion, jackal, Bengal Tiger, and sloth bear, were floated in August.
A senior civic official from the tenders department said, “We are assessing other bids on merit. Considering Highway Construction’s history with the BMC, we may not award the contract to them, even though they have bid the lowest. We are preparing a report on the documents submitted by all bidders. It will be submitted to the senior officials concerned, who can then take a call on how to award the contracts. It has never happened before.”
Earlier, Highway Constructions was to handle the entire revamp project. But after the death of Dory in October 2016, a part of it was scrapped. The BMC floated fresh tenders in June 2017, but BMC chief Ajoy Mehta scrapped these too, citing contractors with no real experience had applied.
Earlier this month, Rais Shaikh, Samajwadi Party corporator from the area, wrote to Mehta, demanding the tenders be scrapped the second time, owing to the participation of Highway Constructions. “According to the procedure, the lowest bidder bags the contract. What is the point of spending so much time and money, and awarding contracts to someone whose contract was scrapped a year ago,” he asked.
Officials are preparing a response to Shaikh’s letter, with information on the merits of each bidder.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/not-lowest-the-best-bidder-will-get-byculla-zoo-revamp-project/story-ChAkOngwp65fnPZNEFAe9I.html

Deep in the dense Gir forest in Gujarat... - The Times of India

 

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The Times of India

9 de noviembre a las 2:00 ·

Deep in the dense Gir forest in Gujarat is a polling booth set up by the Election Commission (EC)- for just one voter.

Inside this dense forest is a polling booth for just 1 voter

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

 https://es-la.facebook.com/TimesofIndia/posts/10155994013457139

Bikers Chasing Lion, Lioness In Gujarat's Gir On Video, Three Arrested

Two lions - running away from four men on bikes - in the vast, dry forests of the famous Gir sanctuary in Gujarat. The men can be heard passing comments in Gujarati as they criss-cross their way along the muddy road. The lioness and the lion, a few metres ahead of the bikers, desperately run as far as possible into the forest.

All India | Written by Rohit Bhan | Updated: November 09, 2017 22:00 IST

A video showing Gir lions being chased by bikers, was purportedly shot in Amreli in Gujarat.

Ahmedabad:  A video that shows a group of bikers chasing lions in Gujarat's Gir sanctuary has gone viral. The four men, three of whom, the police say, have been arrested, are seen chasing lions, lionesses and cubs. The license plate for one of the bikes can be seen. The lions run frantically to escape the interlopers.

The video was posted on Facebook yesterday.

Wildlife officials are trying to track down the fourth man and the source of the video.

One biker, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, was arrested from near Rajkot earlier today. He was tracked down through the resgistration number of the bike and information from the local villagers. Later in the day, two others were arrested, one from Amreli and another from Rajkot.

The Gir sanctuary in western Gujarat is  the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions.  Asiatic lions -- different from African lions, with a characteristic fold of skin on their bellies and thinner manes on males -- once roamed most of Asia.

The 1,400 sq km sanctuary has around 400 lions. But relentless development - roads through the forest, expanding villages and illegal mining - is forcing animal-human proximity.

While the animals frequently wander into local villages, there have been reports of deliberate chase and cruelty. In June, a 50-second video had surfaced  that showed a group of men in a car chasing a lion cub through the forest in Amreli district.

In May last year, a four-year-old lion had accidentally fallen into dry well in the same area. While chasing the village's grazing buffaloes, it was surprised by a group of women. As the panic stricken animal tried to flee, it fell into the dry well. It was later rescued and released in the forest.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bikers-chasing-lion-lioness-in-gujarats-gir-on-video-probe-ordered-1773090

add add Guj: Leopards kill two women in separate incidents

14:7 HRS IST

(Eds: Repeating after minor correction in para 5)

Ahmedabad, Nov 6 (PTI) Two women were mauled to death by leopards in separate incidents in Junagadh district in the early hours of today, forest officials said.

A 50-year-old woman, identified as Mukaben Kanani was killed by a leopard at Mendarda village in Gir (West) forest division, a senior official said.

Kanani was sleeping in her thatched house when a leopard dragged her away and mauled her to death, deputy conservator of forests (DCF), Pradeep Singh said.

"The victim was sleeping in her house, a kind of temporary structure on the periphery of the village bordering the forest, when a leopard dragged her away and killed her.

Forest officials were alerted. We are trying to locate the animal and have put up cage to trap it," Singh said.

In a separate incident, a 70-year-old woman was mauled to death by a leopard at Maliya village in Gir-Somnath forest division, an official said.

The deceased has been identified as Rajuben Koli. She was killed by the wild animal when she was sleeping in the verandah of her house on the border of Maliya village, said DCF K A Gandhi.

"While pug marks found from the site suggest the animal to be a leopard, nobody from the village appears to have seen it, so we are trying to ascertain it by conducting night patrolling," Gandhi said.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/9211556_Guj--Leopards-kill-two-women-in-separate-incidents.html

Over the past eight years, 166 leopards have died across the country.

Sunday, November 05, 2017

Persian Leopard on Verge of Extinction

T he western Lorestan Province is seeing fewer Persian leopards these days, which raises concern about the extinction of the rare animal.
According to a report by YJC, after Asiatic lion and Caspian tiger disappeared, the at-risk Persian leopards remain the biggest cat species in Iran, enhancing the animal's ecological value and historical significance to the country.
The animal is found in forest and mountain habitats. Those inhabiting mountainous regions of western Iran are referred to as Zagros Leopard. Their habitats are the mountain steppes, rocky slopes and rugged ravines ranging from northwestern parts and spanning the whole length of the western and southwestern Iranian plateau in Lorestan and the Zagros mountain range.
Studies have shown that 71% of all Persian leopard fatalities are attributed to illegal hunting or poisoning by shepherds trying to protect their livestock. Reduced prey population and shrinkage of their natural habitats are other factors threatening the graceful, but imperiled, big cats.
The wildlife insurance plan renewed by the Department of Environment in May for five years is aimed at discouraging shepherds from killing the animal to protect their livestock.
Although awareness-raising is highly required among the locals, there are livestock owners like Nouruz Heidari who refuse to shoot the animal in spite of the loss of cattle.
"When the leopard attacked my grazing cattle and killed 44 of my sheep, I just tried to scare it off. I don't want Nature to be emptied of wild creatures. They are the beauty of Nature," he said.
In Iran, road accidents pose another main threat to the Persian leopards. According to DOE, 27% of all leopard deaths between 2007 and 2014 were caused by road accidents.
Over the past eight years, 166 leopards have died across the country.
Efforts to protect the Persian leopard will not only help the species, but also other wildlife, making the leopard an umbrella species. Due to its wide distribution, protecting the endangered species will help conserve the populations of other animals that share the same habitat.
According to Mehrdad Fat'hi Beyranvand, the head of the provincial DOE, the species was listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
"Preparing a map of the animal's distribution and raising awareness among locals are among our plans to protect the rare cat," he said.
Mahnaz Taqizadeh, the head of Legal Affairs Office at Lorestan's DOE, said based on Directive 380 passed by the High Council of Environment, illegal hunters of any wild species in protected areas would be arrested.
"Persian Leopard poachers should additionally pay a fine of 800 million rials ($20,000)," she said.
https://financialtribune.com/articles/environment/75557/persian-leopard-on-verge-of-extinction

Probe ordered in social media pix of lion nails

TNN | Updated: Nov 4, 2017, 13:30 IST

RAJKOT: A picture of a lion's nails has gone viral on social media and raised several questions about safety of the endangered species. The forest department has launched a probe in the origin of the picture. The unnatural death of Asiatic lions and poaching have previously troubled forest officials.

Junagadh range chief conservator of forest A P Singh told TOI, "There are chances that picture is fake one. We are investigating it. Usually lion carcasses are disposed off carefully so that there is no chance for anybody to get any of its parts."

According to reports more than 160 Asiatic lions lost their lives in last two years, of which 25 died unnatural death, which include electrocution by coming in contact with live electrified fencing erected by farmers around farms to save their crops from wild animalshttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/probe-ordered-in-social-media-pix-of-lion-nails/articleshow/61506511.cms

WATCH VIDEO: Pride of 11 Asiatic lions spotted on highway in Gujarat

By: ABP News Bureau || Updated: 03 Nov 2017 12:19 PM

A still from ABP News

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Gujarat: In Amreli district's Bhavnagar Somnath National Highway, a group of eleven lions were seen strolling through the road. The video was made on the highway which is on the Rajula tehsil's Jolapur river. Video is going viral on social media.

In the video it can be seen a pride of majestic Indian Lions are crossing the road from one point to another.
http://www.abplive.in/india-news/gujarat-pride-of-11-asiatic-lions-spotted-on-highway-598298
The local authorities have no information regarding the incident.

With the lion population slowly rising, large numbers of lions have started venturing out of the Gir Sanctuary and have reached up to adjoining areas of Amreli and Bhavnagar districts.

Gir Sanctuary Lions, Tired Of Tourist Nuisance, Go Into Hiding

OUTLOOK WEB BUREAUREPRESENTATIVE IMAGE
Humans intruding the animal habitat may not be a new phenomenon but now it has turned so bad that lions in Gujarat's Gir sanctuary have gone into hiding to get some privacy.
Of 31,584 tourists, who visited the sanctuary between October 20 to October 27, 60% of them could not even spot a single lion, reported The Times of India.
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HS Singh, member of the National Board of Wildlife told the newspaper,"The lions are obviously disturbed by the increasing number of vehicles in the forest during the vacation. Hence they move away from the tourism zone. Secondly, the forest, at present, is lush green and hence the lions easily hide in the grasses making it difficult to be spotted."
The sightings of the lions have reduced despite increment in their number over the last few decades.
According to a report in the scientific journal Current Science, there was a four-fold increase in the lion population near the Gir forest in the five decades till 2015.
The Gujarat government had released its lion census figures in May 2015, which said that Gir’s Asiatic lion population had grown around 27%, from 411 in 2010 to 523 in 2015.

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/gir-sanctuary-lions-tired-of-tourist-nuisance-go-into-hiding/303669