MOTHER and CHILD MURDERED



Langur mother and child



A mother Langur (White monkey - Presbytis entellus) carrying her infant baby was hit by a vehicle in the early hours of the morning on a rather traffic-less road passing through a forest area. This road is otherwise busy and animals don't bother to cross during daylight. Man is always in a big hurry, but expects animals to wait even in their original right of way.



Langur child



Langur mother

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Python road kill in National Park



Python after road kill dumped on a river bank

This is a photo of a Python which was killed by a tourist vehicle in a famous National Park. The authorities removed the carcass and threw it on a riverside, where you can see the maggots doing their work of decomposition. It is not clear what was the vehicle which could kill a big python, without the vehicle itself being upturned. Since I found it very late, there was no point in searching for the wheel tracks.



Maggots on the same dead python

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Three Orphaned Leopard Cubs Rescued

Three male leopard cubs were rescued by the Uttarakhand Forest Department from Village Marchaur, Adkini, 20 kms from Pithoragarh after these cubs were left orphaned by their missing mother. The villagers found the cubs in a stream bank in a dense oak forest where dogs were trying to attack the cubs. The villagers saved these cubs from the dogs and informed the forest department. The forest department team rushed to the spot and put the cubs safely back to the place where it was found and coodoned the area from any public activity. The team and villagers waited all night in the expectation that their mom would return to take away the cubs or feed them milk. However, inspite of the cubs crying (meowing) loud all night, the mother was not visible or heard anywhere around. After day break, since there was no use of leaving the cubs hungry, the cubs were brought to the Range office and after consultation with the veterinarian was fed with dilute milk, after which the cubs are now somewhat active. Two of the cubs have their eyes opened, but one is still to open its eyes completely. The cubs are expected to be around 25 days old. The search for the mother is going on, but the chances are high that the mother is no more. After observation for a few days, these cubs would be sent to Nainital Zoo.

The death or exclusion of one female leopard means the exclusion of three of its present litter, three of its previous litter and three in the womb. So, that means at least the life of 9 more leopards are at stake.

The death or exclusion of one male leopard will lead to capture of its territory by another male, who would like to have only his offsprings in the area. For this, he will kill all the nine cubs as mentioned above per female. A male territory can have 3-4 females and so, 9x4=36 cubs' life is at stake.

So, we should think before declaring any leopard as man-eater and killing them or allowing a leopard to be hunted otherwise.

15 more days in Judicial Custody

Wild life poacher and trader, Girish Singh of Champawat was arrested and send to 15 days remand by the Chief Judicial Magistrate. His bail application at the end of this remand period was fought against by the forest department and got it rejected, thus extending his remand for a further 15 days till 8 June. He has further appealed for bail before the District Judge, the date of hearing is on 30th May. Please see the earlier blog http://wildhimalayas.blogspot.com/2011/05/wildlife-poacher-arrested-and-send-to.html for history of the case and follow this blog for updates by clicking the 'FOLLOW'button on the right side.

Another wildlife poacher arrested from Pithoragarh

Another wildlife poacher and trader, Mr.Ramesh Ram of village Badalu, Pithoragarh was arrested today 22nd May 2011 in the early morning hours by the police with a leopard skin recovered from him. The skin was fresh and was foul smelling and had three bullet holes. Today evening, he was sent to 14 days remand in judicial custody. According to the accused, he got the skin from another person in village Rongu a few kilometers away. The increasing number of arrests and seizures show that though there has been dedicated campaign to end the crime, the trade is still flourishing due to international demand for the precious skins. Details of the present crime investigation will be posted from time to time. To keep track of these and help control wildlife crime, follow this blog.

Wildlife poacher arrested and send to 15 days remand in judicial custody

Girish Singh s/o Moti Singh of village Shyamlatal, Champawat was arrested on 12th May 2011 by the Champawat Forest Division of Uttarakhand Forest Department, India, following an exposure of his displaying leopard skins for trade to a sting operation team of Tehelka last year. The sting operation had exposed four places of skin trade and with this arrest, all the four events have been brought to light. A few accused are still missing, namely Dinesh Dugtal and Harish. Gulab Sg Kutiyal, Balku and a few others linked to this racket have already been arrested. The poaching evidences and statements of the accused are showing their links to several places within the country like Uttar Pradesh and even Gujarat and outside the country, especially Nepal. For further details and video of the exposure, visit http://www.flixya.com/blog/2898504/Tiger-and-Wildlife-poaching-expose-by-Tehelka 

SNAKES AND CROCODILES FOR SALE with CITES certificate

You can get everything from snake skins to crocodile leather from this open market in Bangkok with a fake CITES certificate too if asked for. With such thriving markets and demand, it is very difficult to put an end to wildlife crime

BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS FOR SALE

Butterflies and Moths are being smuggled on a large scale from India, Nepal, Bhutan and several other South-East Asian nations as they have a good demand and market in China, Thailand and also in western nations. This picture is of a open market in Bangkok. They also provide fake CITES certificate if you want to be safe at the airport!

THINNEST ELEPHANT ON EARTH - STARVED AND CRUELLY OVERLOADED

This is the height of cruelty. This elephant in Bangkok Zoo is not only starved, but also overloaded with the seat and tourists sitting on it. Shouldn't we stop using elephants for tourism? Should humans show arrogance that they can rule the animal kingdom? BAN ELEPHANT RIDES

Leopard skins seized in Himachal Pradesh, India

In a joint operation of WPSI and  Palampur Forest Division, Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, India, seven leopard skins were seized and four persons were arrested.

Snake Wine

Snake wine in China. This snake, I think a viper or python has been put in this wine bottle. This photo was taken from a hotel in Shanghai.