Species in News- 26th April 2025

26/04/2025

256 5 minutes read

Nilgiri Tahr

In News: The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), the endangered state animal of Tamil Nadu, is showing promising signs of population stabilization and range expansion after decades of decline due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and other anthropogenic pressures.

About

The Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), also known as “Varayadu” or “Mountain Monarch,” is the only mountain ungulate native to southern India and the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
It is a sure-footed, social animal, well-adapted to navigating steep cliffs and rocky terrains.
The Nilgiri Tahr holds cultural significance, with references in ancient Tamil literature, including the Sangam epics Silapathikaram and Sivakasi Damani.

Habitat

Prefers open montane grasslands and shola (high-altitude stunted evergreen) forests.
Typically found at elevations between 1,200 and 2,600 meters above sea level in the Western Ghats.
Thrives in steep, rocky slopes and escarpments, which provide safety from predators and human disturbance.

Distribution

Endemic to the southern Western Ghats, mainly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Historically, it extended across the entire Western Ghats, but is now restricted to fragmented pockets along a 400 km stretch from the Nilgiris in the north to Kanyakumari hills in the south.
Major populations found in:

Nilgiri Hills

Anamalai Hills (including Eravikulam National Park, Kerala)

Palani Hills

Srivilliputtur

Meghamalai and Agasthiyar ranges

Eravikulam National Park in Kerala hosts the largest single population, with over 700 individuals.
The Nilgiri Tahr is endemic to India and is not found anywhere else in the world.

Features

Medium-sized ungulate with a robust build and short, coarse fur.
Males are larger, darker, and have a distinctive mane and curved horns; females are smaller and lighter in color.
Adapted for climbing and leaping across rocky outcrops.
Lives in social groups, typically comprising females and young, with males joining during the breeding season.

Conservation Status

Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (India), offering the highest level of legal protection.
Major threats include:

Habitat loss and fragmentation due to plantations, agriculture, and development

Invasive species

Wildfires

Over-exploitation of forest resources

Hunting (historically)
Population estimated at around 3,122 individuals in the wild as per WWF India’s 2015 report.
Conservation efforts include Project Nilgiri Tahr (2022–2027), habitat restoration, reintroduction to historic ranges, population surveys, and public awareness campaigns.

News Source: The Indian Express

Alamosaurus

In News: Scientists recently unearthed a nearly complete Alamosaurus fossil in Big Bend National Park, Texas, during a March 2025 expedition led by Sul Ross State University (SRSU). The discovery of a large, well-preserved vertebra adds critical insights into this Late Cretaceous giant, which was North America’s largest land-dwelling dinosaur.

Key Details

Significance: The fossil belongs to one of the most complete Alamosaurus skeletons from the region, first identified in the 1970s but now supplemented by new findings.

Size: Alamosaurus grew up to 80 feet long and weighed 20–80 tons, rivaling South American titanosaurs like Argentinosaurus.

Unique Traits: Herbivorous sauropod with a long neck, whip-like tail, and possible armored spikes for defense.

Era: Lived 70–66 million years ago, marking it as the only North American sauropod surviving until the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction.

News Source: India Defence reviews

Flamingo

In News: The recent death of 39 flamingos near Mumbai, after a collision with an aircraft, has raised concerns about the growing threats to migratory birds from urban expansion and habitat loss. Experts believe the incident occurred because the birds, possibly disoriented or forced by habitat disturbances, strayed into the flight path of airplanes. Factors such as shrinking wetlands, rapid urbanization, and loss of safe roosting sites around Mumbai-an important stopover for migratory flamingos-are likely contributors to this tragedy.

About

Flamingos are large, wading birds known for their striking pink plumage, long legs, and S-shaped necks. The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the most widespread species and the one commonly found in India.

Habitat

Prefer shallow, saline or alkaline wetlands, lagoons, mudflats, estuaries, and salt pans.
In India, they breed and roost in undisturbed shallow regions of wetlands and large salt pans.

Distribution

India: Major populations in Gujarat (Rann of Kutch-world’s largest breeding colony), Maharashtra (Mumbai wetlands), Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Haryana. Winter visitors to many inland and coastal wetlands.
World: Native to Africa, southern Europe, southwest and central Asia, and the Middle East. Also found as migrants in parts of Kazakhstan and Europe.

Features

Tallest among flamingos, with pinkish-white plumage, long neck and legs, and a distinctive downward-bent bill.
Social and colonial, often seen in large flocks.
Feed by filtering small organisms from water using their specialized beaks.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (Greater Flamingo), but local populations face threats.
Threats: Habitat loss, wetland degradation, pollution, disturbance from human activity, and collisions with man-made structures (like power lines and aircraft).
Conservation Efforts: Protection of key wetlands, monitoring populations, and raising awareness about habitat conservation are crucial for their survival in India and globally.

News Source: The Indian Express

Sea otters

In News: Sea otters are remarkable among marine mammals for their frequent use of tools-such as rocks, shells, and even discarded objects-to open hard-shelled prey like clams, mussels, crabs, and snails. When not using their powerful teeth, otters float on their backs and use these tools as hammers or anvils to smash open food.

About
Sea otters are marine mammals known for their thick fur, intelligence, and unique behaviors such as using tools to open hard-shelled prey. They are a keystone species, playing a crucial role in maintaining healthy kelp forest ecosystems by controlling sea urchin populations.

Habitat

Prefer shallow, coastal waters, especially rocky or soft-bottomed areas with abundant kelp forests, embayments, and estuaries.
Spend most of their lives in the water, rarely coming ashore.

Features

Medium-sized marine mammal (up to 45 kg).
Densest fur in the animal kingdom (up to 1 million hairs per square inch) for insulation.
Rounded face, short tail, webbed feet, and dexterous forepaws.
Use rocks as tools to break open shellfish.
Highly social, often seen floating in groups called “rafts.”

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Endangered.
Population: Estimated global population is around 128,900 (as of 2018), but many subpopulations are small or declining.
Threats: Historical overhunting for fur, oil spills, entanglement in fishing gear, disease, and habitat loss.
Conservation Efforts: Legal protection, habitat restoration, and reintroduction programs have helped some populations recover, but others remain at risk.

News Source: The Hindu

Orcas

In News: Recent incidents of orcas interacting with boats-primarily in the Strait of Gibraltar and Iberian Peninsula-appear driven by social learning and behavioral experimentation rather than aggression. Since 2020, over 600 interactions have been reported, with a focus on damaging rudders.

About

Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest members of the dolphin family (Delphinidae) and apex marine predators. Known for intelligence, complex social structures, and diverse hunting strategies, they exhibit cultural behaviors passed through generations.

Habitat

Primary habitats: Coastal and open oceans, from polar to tropical waters.
Key ecosystems: Prefer colder regions (Arctic, Antarctic) but inhabit all oceans, including the Mediterranean and Arabian Sea.
Behavior: Highly adaptable, often following prey migrations (e.g., salmon runs).

Features

Size: Males up to 8 meters (26 ft) and 6 tons; females smaller (7 meters, 3–4 tons).
Coloration: Black-and-white patterning for camouflage (countershading).
Social structure: Matrilineal pods (led by elder females), with lifelong family bonds.
Diet: Ecotype-specific-fish, seals, whales, sharks, and rays.
Hunting: Use techniques like wave-washing seals off ice (Antarctica) and intentional beaching (Argentina).
Communication: Unique dialects within pods, with vocalizations for hunting and social bonding.

Conservation Status