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Although reports of ophiophagy in snakes are not uncommon (e.g., Jackson et al. 2004), no published records document ophiophagy by Kenyan Sandboas in either captivity or nature. We herein report a case of ophiophagy in E. colubrinus in... more
Although reports of ophiophagy in snakes are not uncommon (e.g., Jackson et al. 2004), no published records document ophiophagy by Kenyan Sandboas in either captivity or nature. We herein report a case of ophiophagy in E. colubrinus in captivity.
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Avian fracture surgery is quite distinct from mammalian fracture surgery. Avian bones are brittle and prone to fragmentation or shattering upon impact, and long bones lack sufficient soft tissue and muscle support. We present a successful... more
Avian fracture surgery is quite distinct from mammalian fracture surgery. Avian bones are brittle and prone to fragmentation or shattering upon impact, and long bones lack sufficient soft tissue and muscle support. We present a successful case of an open reduction and internal fixation of a humerus fracture in a house sparrow using intramedullary pinning. The male house sparrow was found with a drooping wing, bleeding from a wound on the medial aspect of his right arm, and a complete compound fracture of his right humerus. It was decided to correct the fracture surgically via open reduction and internal fixation. Postoperative physiotherapy included PROM (passive range of motion) exercises with wing flexion and extension. Intramedullary pinning using a hypodermic needle resulted in excellent fracture immobilisation. The bird recovered completely and regained its normal flight ability.
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Six domestic African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) were treated for Otodectes cynotis infestation. Symptoms included skin lesions, itching, and slight lethargy. The hedgehogs were given a bath with a shampoo containing miconazole... more
Six domestic African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) were treated for Otodectes cynotis infestation. Symptoms included skin lesions, itching, and slight lethargy. The hedgehogs were given a bath with a shampoo containing miconazole and chlorhexidine, and selamectin solution was applied to the skin in between the spines. Skin scraping was negative for mite infestation after 15 days of treatment, and the lesions, inflammation, and swelling decreased significantly. By day 30 of treatment, the hedgehogs were clear of any visible lesions on the body. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of M iconazole and chlorhexidine shampoo and selamectin solution in the treatment of Otodectes cynotis infestation in domestic African pygmy hedgehogs.
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Human-Snake conflict (HSC) is a complex and pervasive problem that occurs wherever snakes and people share the same habitat. Lack of information, ignorance by the masses and absence of snakebite prevention measures results in around 2100... more
Human-Snake conflict (HSC) is a complex and pervasive problem that occurs wherever snakes and people share the same habitat. Lack of information, ignorance by the masses and absence of snakebite prevention measures results in around 2100 annual deaths in Gujarat while the national mortality figure is as high as 58,000. While the need to improve the quality of anti-venom serum and post bite clinical management is high priority, prevention of bites can play a vital role in bringing down the mortality rates. Snakes and people often need to be rescued from certain situations especially when the former comes near people’s houses and backyards, especially in rural areas. Since snake capture is a specialized activity and is often potentially dangerous in case of venomous snakes, it requires systematic training and experience. Proper knowledge to administer the right first aid can very well save a limb and even a life. Individuals who are interested in this issue need to be well trained in all relevant aspects. This manual is intended for experienced snake handlers, not for beginners.
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Insectivorous animals in captivity must have access to a consistent supply of live food that is both plentiful and fresh. House crickets are a nutrient-dense source of essential amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and water, as... more
Insectivorous animals in captivity must have access to a consistent supply of live food that is both plentiful and fresh. House crickets are a nutrient-dense source of essential amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and water, as well as a rich source of protein. Unfortunately, because feeder crickets are not widely available commercially in India, purchasing crickets for this purpose is not yet an option. Due to the demanding maintenance needed by traditional methods, many people who try to breed crickets in a home environment fail over time. With the method described in this article, it is possible to produce large quantities of crickets affordably, consistently, and with fair ease.
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Trade in non-native species has burgeoned due most in part to availability, achievable costs, and often hardy nature of the species. The green iguanas have become a popular exotic pet in India. Many private keepers acquire juveniles but... more
Trade in non-native species has burgeoned due most in part to availability, achievable costs, and often hardy nature of the species. The green iguanas have become a popular exotic pet in India. Many private keepers acquire juveniles but often, when the individuals attain maturity, become larger and more difficult to manage, end up donating them to zoos or other agencies. Since iguana-keeping is a new trend in India, a lacuna in the knowledge and nuances of its captive care and husbandry contributes to poor care and welfare in both private collections and zoos. We present this article as a preliminary guide to good practices.
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A rapid survey of human-crocodile conflict outside protected areas of Kendrapara District, Odisha, was carried out on 7-9 October 2013. The aim was to carry out the survey in locations of human-crocodile interactions and further explore... more
A rapid survey of human-crocodile conflict outside protected areas of Kendrapara District, Odisha, was carried out on 7-9 October 2013. The aim was to carry out the survey in locations of human-crocodile interactions and further explore mitigation measures with long-term impact that may be best suited to these specific areas. Data were gathered from the office of the district collector, emergency response office, and office of the Divisional Forest Officer (OSFD).
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C O N S E R V A T I O N A L E R T World’s Mammals in Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................. 220 More Than... more
C O N S E R V A T I O N A L E R T World’s Mammals in Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................. 220 More Than Mammals ...................................................................................................................................................................... 223 The “Dow Jones Index” of Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................................... 225
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Animals modulate their behaviours in accordance with their local environment and in the process, undergo different behavioural and physiological adaptations to better survive in a given ecosystem. One such behaviour that plays an... more
Animals modulate their behaviours in accordance with their local environment and in the process, undergo different behavioural and physiological adaptations to better survive in a given ecosystem. One such behaviour that plays an important role in survival and sustenance of a species is the breeding behaviour. In this article, we present anecdotal information on breeding strategies of Marsh or Mugger crocodiles. Mugger crocodiles mostly lay single clutch during a year and have an elongated courtship and mating period lasting for 3–4 months. However, we show anecdotal data covering a period of 2 years for a Mugger crocodile producing double clutches annually under captive conditions. The laying of multiple clutches in captive Mugger crocodiles may indicate higher nutritional status and/or breeding strategies of the females under resourceful conditions. We suggest the need for future work on understanding proximate mechanisms underlying the ‘double clutching’ behaviour of Mugger croco...
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We report the first record of jungle babbler Argya striata feeding on house gecko Hemidactylus sp. in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. On the morning of 09th October 2018, a small group of jungle babblers consisting of six adults and two... more
We report the first record of jungle babbler Argya striata feeding on house gecko Hemidactylus sp. in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. On the morning of 09th October 2018, a small group of jungle babblers consisting of six adults and two fledglings were observed in and around plants pots and compost bins on the roof of author’s residence. A juvenile house gecko Hemidactylus sp. appeared to have incidentally flushed out of a crevice by the foraging birds. It was immediately attacked by two adults and was killed quickly by heavy pecking on gecko’s body. The gecko’s tail was quickly fed upon by one of the two attacking birds after tail autotomy. Once the gecko stopped moving, the two attacking birds tried consuming the gecko whole but soon dropped it as it appeared to be too big to swallow the whole body. They started pecking out small pieces from the head and stomach area. At one point, the two birds held the gecko from two places, one from the head and the other held a front limb and start...
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Abstract Where conservation programs aimed at rebuilding depleted populations of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) have been successful, incentives for local people to support ongoing conservation action have been undermined by... more
Abstract Where conservation programs aimed at rebuilding depleted populations of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) have been successful, incentives for local people to support ongoing conservation action have been undermined by increasing rates of human-crocodile conflict (HCC), involving fatal and non-fatal attacks on people and livestock. In this study we report on HCC within the 672 km2 Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), Odisha, India. Forest Department contain records of 51 attacks on people and 57 on cattle over 21 years (1996–2016). Human attacks were both fatal (45%) and non-fatal (55%), and were highest in the monsoon season (63%) and summer (23%) and lowest in the post-monsoon (10%) and winter (4%). The activities of people attacked were: domestic chores and crossing rivers (32%), defecating (24%), Bathing (22%), fishing (10%), paddy cultivation (8%) and grazing cattle (4%). Attacks on males (70%) were more common than on females (30%). No attacks on young children (0-10 years-of-age) were reported, and the most common age of victims was 40–50 yr (29%) and 20–30 yr (26%). Semi-structured interviews with the main household earning member in villages on the periphery of BWS (n = 57), revealed there was no notable influence of age, gender, and education on the perception and attitude of the local community but people who were affected negatively from the conflict tended to be negative toward the conservation of saltwater crocodiles. The findings of this research aim to serve the planning of mitigation strategies for future human crocodile conflicts in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.
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Research Interests:
Ten of the 13 flying squirrel species are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, degradation, and hunting in eastern India. Arunachal Pradesh's rapidly expanding transportation infrastructure is a new emerging threat to forest... more
Ten of the 13 flying squirrel species are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, degradation, and hunting in eastern India. Arunachal Pradesh's rapidly expanding transportation infrastructure is a new
emerging threat to forest dwelling species. An adult roadkill specimen of hairy-footed flying squirrel was found in East Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. This is the first record of a hairyfooted flying squirrel roadkill. Roadkill surveys frequently give ecological, and sometimes,
morphological information otherwise unavailable. Detailed research on wildlife and its relationship to roadway infrastructure in biodiverse areas such as Arunachal Pradesh's forests can aid in the development of efficient mitigation measures.
emerging threat to forest dwelling species. An adult roadkill specimen of hairy-footed flying squirrel was found in East Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. This is the first record of a hairyfooted flying squirrel roadkill. Roadkill surveys frequently give ecological, and sometimes,
morphological information otherwise unavailable. Detailed research on wildlife and its relationship to roadway infrastructure in biodiverse areas such as Arunachal Pradesh's forests can aid in the development of efficient mitigation measures.
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Avian fracture surgery is quite distinct from mammalian fracture surgery. Avian bones are brittle and prone to fragmentation or shattering upon impact, and long bones lack sufficient soft tissue and muscle support. We present a successful... more
Avian fracture surgery is quite distinct from mammalian fracture surgery. Avian bones are brittle and prone to fragmentation or shattering upon impact, and long bones lack sufficient soft tissue and muscle support. We present a successful case of an open reduction and internal fixation of a humerus fracture in a house sparrow using intramedullary pinning. The male house sparrow was found with a drooping wing, bleeding from a wound on the medial aspect of his right arm, and a complete compound fracture of his right humerus. It was decided to correct the fracture surgically via open reduction and internal fixation. Postoperative physiotherapy included PROM (passive range of motion) exercises with wing flexion and extension. Intramedullary pinning using a hypodermic needle resulted in excellent fracture immobilisation. The bird recovered completely and regained its normal flight ability.
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In this note we report six observations in 2009 and 2010, during which seven snakes, generally considered to be diurnally active, were observed active or foraging at night in proximity to artificial lighting. These observations include... more
In this note we report six observations in 2009 and 2010, during which seven snakes, generally considered to be diurnally active, were observed active or foraging at night in proximity to artificial lighting. These observations include the first records of nocturnal activity and foraging in A. oxyrhyncha, and D. tristis.
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Animals modulate their behaviours in accordance with their local environment and in the process, undergo different behavioural and physiological adaptations to better survive in a given ecosystem. One such behaviour that plays an... more
Animals modulate their behaviours in accordance with their local environment and in the process, undergo different behavioural and physiological adaptations to better survive in a given ecosystem. One such behaviour that plays an important role in survival and sustenance of a species is the breeding behaviour. In this article, we present anecdotal information on breeding strategies of Marsh or Mugger crocodiles. Mugger crocodiles mostly lay single clutch during a year and have an elongated courtship and mating period lasting for 3–4 months. However, we show anecdotal data covering a period of 2 years for a Mugger crocodile producing double clutches annually under captive conditions. The laying of multiple clutches in captive Mugger crocodiles may indicate higher nutritional status and/or breeding strategies of the females under resourceful conditions. We suggest the need for future work on understanding proximate mechanisms underlying the ‘double clutching’ behaviour of Mugger crocodiles.
Research Interests:
In this note we present observations spanning the years from 2007 to 2019 of leucism and albinism in six species of Indian snakes, some of which grew up to become healthy adults in human-dominated landscapes.
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Research Interests:
We report the first record of jungle babbler Argya striata feeding on house gecko Hemidactylus sp. in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. On the morning of 09 th October 2018, a small group of jungle babblers consisting of six adults and two... more
We report the first record of jungle babbler Argya striata feeding on house gecko Hemidactylus sp. in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. On the morning of 09 th October 2018, a small group of jungle babblers consisting of six adults and two fledglings were observed in and around plants pots and compost bins on the roof of author's residence. A juvenile house gecko Hemidactylus sp. appeared to have incidentally flushed out of a crevice by the foraging birds. It was immediately attacked by two adults and was killed quickly by heavy pecking on gecko's body. The gecko's tail was quickly fed upon by one of the two attacking birds after tail autotomy. Once the gecko stopped moving, the two attacking birds tried consuming the gecko whole but soon dropped it as it appeared to be too big to swallow the whole body. They started pecking out small pieces from the head and stomach area. At one point, the two birds held the gecko from two places, one from the head and the other held a front limb and started to tug. Other members of the group were uninterested in the entire event and did not participate. The two attacking birds continued pecking out small pieces until they weren't hungry anymore. They left the remaining body and joined the resting members of the group.
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Purple sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus is an active species frequenting urban garden for drinking nectar from various flowers. The species is also commonly documented to be nesting in backyard gardens where the nest is often vulnerable to... more
Purple sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus is an active species frequenting urban garden for drinking nectar from various flowers. The species is also commonly documented to be nesting in backyard gardens where the nest is often vulnerable to attack by feral cats. Nestlings as well as fledglings are rescued by members of public and taken to wildlife rehabilitation centers. Local rescue centres are often not equipped to provide optimum care for such small and delicate baby birds. This is especially true when staff and volunteers are not trained in proper protocols and guidelines. Lack of published literature on caring for many local, native species makes the task even more difficult. In this case study, we present methods of housing, care, diet plan, behavioral conditioning, and release techniques that were used to successfully rehabilitate an orphan purple sunbird. These methods can be used as guidelines for other biologically and behaviorally similar nectarine species in India.
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Where conservation programs aimed at rebuilding depleted populations of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) have been successful, incentives for local people to support ongoing conservation action have been undermined by increasing... more
Where conservation programs aimed at rebuilding depleted populations of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) have been successful, incentives for local people to support ongoing conservation action have been undermined by increasing rates of human-crocodile conflict (HCC), involving fatal and non-fatal attacks on people and livestock. In this study we report on HCC within the 672 km2 Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), Odisha, India. Forest Department contain records of 51
attacks on people and 57 on cattle over 21 years (1996–2016). Human attacks were both fatal (45%) and non-fatal (55%), and were highest in the monsoon season (63%) and summer (23%) and lowest in the post-monsoon (10%) and winter (4%). The activities of people attacked were: domestic chores and crossing rivers (32%), defecating (24%), Bathing (22%), fishing (10%), paddy cultivation (8%) and grazing cattle (4%). Attacks on males (70%) were more common than on females (30%).
No attacks on young children (0-10 years-of-age) were reported, and the most common age of victims was 40–50 yr (29%) and 20–30 yr (26%). Semi-structured interviews with the main household earning member in villages on the periphery of BWS (n = 57), revealed there was no notable influence of age, gender, and education on the perception and attitude of the local community but people who were affected negatively from the conflict tended to be negative toward the conservation of saltwater crocodiles. The findings of this research aim to serve the planning of mitigation strategies for future human crocodile conflicts in Bhitarkanika
Wildlife Sanctuary.
attacks on people and 57 on cattle over 21 years (1996–2016). Human attacks were both fatal (45%) and non-fatal (55%), and were highest in the monsoon season (63%) and summer (23%) and lowest in the post-monsoon (10%) and winter (4%). The activities of people attacked were: domestic chores and crossing rivers (32%), defecating (24%), Bathing (22%), fishing (10%), paddy cultivation (8%) and grazing cattle (4%). Attacks on males (70%) were more common than on females (30%).
No attacks on young children (0-10 years-of-age) were reported, and the most common age of victims was 40–50 yr (29%) and 20–30 yr (26%). Semi-structured interviews with the main household earning member in villages on the periphery of BWS (n = 57), revealed there was no notable influence of age, gender, and education on the perception and attitude of the local community but people who were affected negatively from the conflict tended to be negative toward the conservation of saltwater crocodiles. The findings of this research aim to serve the planning of mitigation strategies for future human crocodile conflicts in Bhitarkanika
Wildlife Sanctuary.
Research Interests:
Comb duck Sarkidiornis melanotos is a resident species in the city of Ahmedabad. These ducks breed regularly in natural cavities in large, old trees in the urban spaces, and sometimes in man-made cavities on rooftops. While eggs are... more
Comb duck Sarkidiornis melanotos is a resident species in the city of Ahmedabad. These ducks breed regularly in natural cavities in large, old trees in the urban spaces, and sometimes in man-made cavities on rooftops. While eggs are successfully hatched in these nests, there are no viable water bodies for foraging. After hatching out, the precocial ducklings are found wandering on streets following their distressed mother and are then rescued by members of public. Such ducklings are handreared in wildlife rehabilitation centers with the objective of release back into their natural habitats. It is important to provide necessary requirements especially housing, nutrition, and behavioral conditioning for successful rehabilitation. Lack of resources, and available literature specific to Indian species and conditions makes it difficult for Indian rehabilitators. In this study we present methods of housing, physical care, diet plans, behavioral conditioning, and release techniques that were used to successfully rehabilitate 411 ducklings in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, between 2005 and 2018. These methods can be used as guidelines for other biologically and behaviorally similar species.
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The ability to identify individual Muggers, particularly adults, can assist in the management of Muggers in human-dominated habitats and mitigate conflicts. Tagging of crocodilians (eg scute-clipping, cattle tags, transmitters,... more
The ability to identify individual Muggers, particularly adults, can assist in the management of Muggers in human-dominated habitats and mitigate conflicts. Tagging of crocodilians (eg scute-clipping, cattle tags, transmitters, microchips) requires capture of the animal in the first instance, and possibly again later for identification purposes. Identification of individuals using non-invasive methods and morphological characteristics is becoming more widespread, although extension to crocodilians has been limited (C. acutus; Balaguera-Reina et al. 2017). To identify focal Muggers (eg for a proposed study on reproductive hormone metabolites), we are constructing a biometrics system based on dorsal scute (osteoderm) patterns.
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Training of crocodilians is an effective management tool, particularly for captive crocodilians, helping to enrich environments, to modify behaviours, and to aid in husbandry. It is now well known that crocodilians are capable of... more
Training of crocodilians is an effective management tool, particularly for captive crocodilians, helping to enrich environments, to modify behaviours, and to aid in husbandry. It is now well known that crocodilians are capable of learning, and several zoos have implemented training programs as part of their management regimes (see Rauhaus and Ploetz 2014; Raihaus and Ziegler 2020; Anon 2010, 2011; St Augustine Alligator Farm 2020; Thomson 2020). Such programs also provide a great opportunity to understand crocodilian “intelligence”. In my case, I began working with crocodiles in order to aid in their management, at Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT). The information contained here was presented as a poster at the 23rd CSG Working meeting in 2014, but only a short abstract appears in the Proceedings of that meeting (Mukherjee 2014). The details of this work were thus submitted to the CSG Newsletter so as to reach a larger audience.
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First sighting report of Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui from Ahmedabad city, Gujarat (India).