Experts discover the remains of an extinct species of LION in outback Australia with razor sharp teeth capable of 'slicing through bones'

• Paleontologists discovered an extinct species of marsupial lion in the Outback
• Lekaneleo roamed the highlands of Queensland, Australia, 23 million years ago
• Now extinct, Lekaneleo was the size of a cat and had bone-cutting teeth
  
  By SHIVE PREMA FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
  PUBLISHED: 05:04 GMT, 28 February 2020 
  Researchers have found the remains of an extinct marsupial lion species in the Australian Outback.
  The species - called Lekaneleo roskellyae - roamed an ancient rainforest in the north-west highlands of Queensland about 23million years ago. 
  It is one of the smallest lions ever discovered, and was about the size of a domestic cat.
  Lekaneleo roskellaye had razor-sharp teeth that were capable of slicing through the bones of its prey. 
  University of New South Wales researchers Anna Gillespie, Michael Archer and Suzanne Hand discovered the remains in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in Queensland - a site known for its fossils.
  

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  The species - called Lekaneleo roskellyae (an artist's impression of what the animal would have looked like is pictured) - roamed the north-west highlands of Queensland about 23million years ago 
  Dr Archer said the animal's bone-slicing premolar teeth and small size set it apart from other genuses of marsupial lion.
  'This little guy that we're calling Lekaneleo roskellyae… was one of the tiniest marsupial lions we've ever seen. It was actually like a pussy cat in size,' Dr Archer told the ABC.
  'They had an extraordinary, elongated, bolt-cutting type of premolar. This was the most extraordinary adaptation or evolution that a carnivorous mammal has ever developed anywhere in the world.'
  Despite its small size, Dr Archer said Lekaneleo would have been feared by other animals in the Riversleigh ancient rainforest. 
  Dr Archer said it is difficult to determine how the animal would have behaved as there are few similar modern species.  
  

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  Artist Dorothy Dunphy's impression of Riversleigh ancient rainforest that was once roamed by the Lekaneleo millions of years ago
  

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  Lekaneleo lived in a lucious ancient rainforest. Today dry and barren bushland (pictured) has replaced it
  Once visited by Sir David Attenborough, Riversleigh is Australia's most famous fossil location, with well preserved specimens from 23 million to 15 million years ago.   
  Despite their name, marsupial lions are not closely related to modern lions that roam Africa or the endangered Asiatic lion in India as they evolved in isolation from the rest of the world. 
  The best known species of marsupial lion, often seen in museums, is the Thylacoleo carnifex - the largest meat-eating mammal known to have ever existed in Australia. 
  Thylacoleo carnifex weighed up to 160kg. 
  

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  The best known species of marsupial lion, often seen in museums, is the Thylacoleo carnifex (pictured, what the animal is believed to have looked like) - the largest meat-eating mammal known to have ever existed in Australia
• https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8053557/Queensland-marsupial-LION-Lekaneleo-discovered-outback-Australia.html

Adorable video shows Edinburgh Zoo's 6-month-old lion cubs playing and frolicking outdoors

By Joe Cawthorn

Friday, 28th February 2020, 11:45 am

The three cubs were born at Edinburgh Zoo in August 20

Adorable video shows Edinburgh Zoo's 6-month-old lion cubs playing and frolicking outdoors

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo has shared adorable new video of their playful six-month old Asiatic lion cubs.

Mitaali, Keshari and Kushanu are now spending more time outside as they continue to grow and become more confident, according to staff at the wildlife conservation charity.
Back in November, the Evening News partnered with the Zoo to run a poll which would decide what the babies were named, with Mitaali, Keshari and Kushanu coming out on top after over 1,000 voted were cast.

The three cubs were born at Edinburgh Zoo in August 2019

The Asian lion differs from the African lion in several ways. Asian lions are generally smaller than their African cousins, and the males do not develop such a substantial mane, so their ears are more visible.

Mum Roberta was selected to be paired with resident male Jayendra through the European Endangered Species Programme, which is run by a Species Coordinator and is supported by experts at other zoos across Europe. She was chosen as the best match for Jay due to her genetic characteristics, as it is extremely important to conserve the genetics of the species, enabling the future generations to be possibly reintroduced back into the wild if the need arises.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/adorable-video-shows-edinburgh-zoos-6-month-old-lion-cubs-playing-and-frolicking-outdoors-2003383

The Leopard Cub With the Lioness Mom

Scientists documented a rare and very cute interspecies adoption in a national park in India.

A lionness with her adopted leopard and biological son in Gir National Park in Gujarat, India.Credit...Dheeraj Mittal

By Cara Giaimo

• Feb. 27, 2020
  
  
• The lions and leopards of Gir National Park, in Gujarat, India, normally do not get along.

“They compete with each other” for space and food, said Stotra Chakrabarti, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota who studies animal behavior. “They are at perpetual odds.”

But about a year ago, a young lioness in the park put this enmity aside. She adopted a baby leopard.

The 2-month-old cub — all fuzzy ears and blue eyes — was adorable, and the lioness spent weeks nursing, feeding and caring for him until he died. She treated him as if one of her own two sons, who were about the same age. This was a rare case of cross-species adoption in the wild, and the only documented example involving animals that are normally strong competitors, Dr. Chakrabarti said. He and others detailed the case last week in the ecology journal Ecosphere.

The paper’s authors, who also included a conservation officer and a park ranger, first spotted the motley crew in late December 2018, hanging out near a freshly killed nilgai antelope.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/science/leopard-lion-adoption.html

Your Environment This Week: Medicinal plants that heal, saving sparrows and Karnataka’s barefoot ecologist

by Team Mongabay on 28 February 2020

The evolving story of India’s forests

From covering 19.49% of India’s land area in 1987 to 21.6% in 2019, India’s forest sectorhas had a roller coaster journey. We examine this via the lens of India’s State of Forest Reports.

Conservation is serious business at this private nature reserve in Uttarakhand

A businessman and a conservationist have developed a 100-acre forest area in Mussoorie as a private nature reserve: a company called Jabarkhet Nature Reserve.

[Video] The barefoot ecologist who brought forests to life

Eighty three-year-old Halakki tribal woman Tulasi Gowda has been awarded Padma Shri for her outstanding contribution to conservation.

Bird festival puts spotlight on the biodiversity of Gujarat’s Dang forests

If you think of Gujarat, the Gir forest or Kutch come to mind. But a biodiversity hotspot lies in south Gujarat close to the Maharashtra border. Dang forest forms the northern end of the Western Ghats and is home to over a hundred species of birds and medicinal plants.

Saving sparrows in cities, one nest at a time

Rakesh Khatri’s Eco-Roots Foundation has created about 1,00,000 handmade nests and wooden birdhouses for sparrows, from 100% recyclable material.

[Explainer] What is a forest?

We break down the definition of forests, or rather the lack of it; and go back into the history of forests in India, forest policy and more in this explainer.

Forests that heal: Medicinal plants as an ecosystem service

Medicinal plants play a crucial role in drug discovery, with at least 25 percent of modern medicine being derived either directly or indirectly from them.

Climate change, land-use change may enhance plant species loss in the Eastern Ghats

Researchers have demanded more conservation attention on the Eastern Ghats to counter the loss of biodiversity.

All forest fires may not be bad fires

Research proves surface fires provide essential ecosystem services and need to be brought back into forest management practices.

Urbanisation and climate change sting bees. What can cities do for them?

Companies such as Bee Basket are promoting ways for urban areas to become bee-friendly through sustainable honey harvesting practices and honeycomb rehabilitationinitiatives.

Banner image: Artificial water holes at the private reserve are hand-filled regularly for wild animals. Photo courtesy Jabarkhet Private Reserve.
https://india.mongabay.com/2020/02/your-environment-this-week-medicinal-plants-that-heal-saving-sparrows-and-karnatakas-barefoot-ecologist/

442 leopards caught in 2019: Gujarat forest department

By: Express News Service | Gandhinagar | Published: February 28, 2020 2:07:44 am

In a written reply to another question asked by Congress MLA from Kaprada, Jitu Chaudhari, the minister said that the Forest department had sought the permission of the Centre to control the population of leopards in 2019. “The request is under the consideration of the Centre,” the minister stated.
Of these, 82 leopards were not released back into the wild.

Stating that the Gujarat government has sought the Centre’s permission to control the population of leopards in the state, state Forest Minister Ganpat Vasava, on Thursday, told the Gujarat Assembly that 442 leopards that had entered revenue areas were caught in 2019. Of these, 82 leopards were not released back into the wild.

“In 2019, 442 leopards were caught, Of these, 82 had attacked humans or killed them and have not been released into the wild. About 358 were released by the Forest department.” Vasava said while replying to a question posed by Congress MLA from Talala, Bhagabhai Barad during the Question Hour. As per the 2016 census, there were 1,395 leopards, of which 177 were cubs. Of these, 354 leopards were found in Junagadh and an additional 111 leopards were in Gir Somnath district, the Forest minister added.

When an MLA pointed out that goats placed as baits for catching leopards are killed by dogs, the minister told the House, “The honourable member said that some kind of bait has to kept (in cages). In his area, it was only dogs that entered the cages, but in South Gujarat, a human had entered the place where the bait was kept.” The minister was referring to an incident reported by The Indian Express in December last year, where 70-year-old Pamani Chaudhary was found trapped in a cage kept for catching a leopard in Tapi district of South Gujarat.

In a written reply to another question asked by Congress MLA from Kaprada, Jitu Chaudhari, the minister said that the Forest department had sought the permission of the Centre to control the population of leopards in 2019. “The request is under the consideration of the Centre,” the minister stated.

The state government in another written reply stated that in the last two years till December 31, 2019, 45 cases of leopard attacks on humans have been reported in Junagadh district, while 50 such attacks took place in neighbouring Amreli district. “20 people were killed in these attacks and 97 persons were injured,” the minister said. Financial assistance was provided to the families of the deceased and the injured.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/leopards-gujarat-forest-department-6290246/

Injured lion dies in animal care center in Gujarat

Amreli, Feb 26 (UNI) A lion which was injured during a fight with another big cat in the Tusishyam range of the Gir forests east in the sanctuary in Bhagalvad in Amreli district of Gujarat died on Wednesday at the animal care centre.

CCF D T Vasavada said that a lion aged between nine to 12 years was found in an injured condition by forest department's staff on Tuesday night. It had a big injury mark on its back caused by in-fight with another male lion.

The injured beast was rescued and taken to Jasadhar animal care center where he died, he added.
UNI RAJ ACL JTS 1832
http://www.uniindia.com/injured-lion-dies-in-animal-care-center-in-gujarat/west/news/1899837.html

Gujarat: ‘Machadas’ to help check man-beast conflict

TNN | Updated: Feb 26, 2020, 11:25 ISTAHMEDABAD: To monitor human-wildlife conflict, the Gujarat forest department has started building high towers called ‘machadas’ in Gir and Greater Gir landscape, the last habitat of Asiatic lions.
The towers are equipped with solar-powered mobile charger, and financial assistance of Rs 17,300 is given to farmers for the foundation work for the machadas, officials said.

“The scheme has been rolled out recently and 8,000 farmers have so far enlisted. With big cats increasingly moving out of protected areas, we aim to implement this scheme aggressively and cover new areas like Chotila,” said a forest official.
The scheme aims to protect people from being attacked by lions and the farmers can seek refuge on these machadas, where they can rest or even sleep to escape attacks from wild animals.
“Issues for conservation are changing, the lion is regaining its territory and moving out of the core area, hence it is important for the forest department to gear up for the new challenges, not just for lion but all species,” said D K Sharma, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) and head of forest force (HoFF), Gujarat.
He was speaking at a session on the conservation efforts by Gujarat forest department at the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS-COP13) held in Gandhinagar recently.
There are 523 lions in a 22,000 sq km area across eight districts of Gujarat, including the Gir sanctuary, according to the census carried out in 2015. Asiatic lions in Gujarat have seen a considerable rise in their numbers due to key management practices such as habitat management, wildlife monitoring, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, rescue operations, wildlife crime control, eco-tourism, people’s participation, awareness programs and research and training, he said.
Mohan Ram, deputy conservator of forests, Sasan, ascribed significance to research and training as they are the basis of all other practices. The Gir National Park area has camera traps for monitoring, radio-collaring of lions (world’s largest project), GPS monitoring, a wireless communication system, foot patrols and state of the art facilities with the wildlife rescue service.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/machadas-to-help-check-man-beast-conflict/articleshow/74308869.cms

Pune’s Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park welcomes lion from Indore

A lion who is four-and-a-half-years-old has arrived at the zoo last week and has been kept under observation, according to officials of the zoo
 Updated: Feb 25, 2020 16:21 IST

HT Correspondent 

Hindustan Times, Pune

PUNE The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park has welcomed a new member into its family. A lion who is four-and-a-half-years-old has arrived at the zoo last week and has been kept under observation, according to officials of the zoo.

Rajkumar Jadhav, director, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, said, “A lion who is four-and-a-half years has arrived at the zoo last week from Indore.

In 2016, two Asiatic lions were brought to the zoo. The two lions were knows as Tejas and Sibbu, but Tejas passed away last year and we were in search of a lion.”

“The new lion has been named Pavan. He will be kept on display after the observation period is over,” said Jadhav.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/katraj-zoo-welcomes-lion-from-indore/story-o1qgnAbzFwiZgq4SfU1E7I.html

Lion Climbs on Car With Tourists on Jungle Safari, Tries to Open Door Multiple Times (Watch Video)

Team Latestly| Feb 22, 2020 04:12 PM IST

Lions block safari park cars (Photo Credits: YouTube)

A video going viral on social media shows a lion sitting on a car while two others blocking the vehicles from both sides. The lions had blocked the cars which were on a jungle safari. The clip shows how the animal trying to open the door of the white jeep. After multiple failed attempts it then jumps on the bonnet of the car. And soon the wild cat is joined by two other wild cats.

Tourists present at the site could be heard saying, "There is a lion on top of the jeep." Eventually, the driver takes reverse and the lions jump to the nearby grassland. As the wild animals continue to block their way, the cars return with no other way left. While this is an old video, it has started doing rounds on the internet all over again after it was posted on Reddit. Grass-Eating Lion from Gujrat’s Gir Forests is Going Viral, Netizens Are Freaked Out!

The video has received more than 12,700 upvotes and over 300 comments. As the clip was widely shared a user recalled how they went through a similar experience at the Woburn Safari Park in the United Kingdom. During which a lioness had torn the tyre of their vehicle. Man vs Wild: Lion Chases Tourists During Safari Ride at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park in Karnataka, Video Goes Viral.

Lion Climbs on Top of Safari Park Car:

A Reddit user commented on the video saying, "There are risks associated if you decide to drive your car inside, such as damage to your car, but it is completely safe. There is always a work truck in each section in case the animals start acting up, but they are all used to the cars going slowly along the roads. There is the option to take a narrated bus trip instead of driving your own car in."
https://www.latestly.com/social-viral/lion-climbs-on-car-with-tourists-on-jungle-safari-tries-to-open-door-multiple-times-watch-video-1554240.html