I am no experienced researcher, nor am I a seasoned professional. I am at the most a passionate naturalist, attempting to perform a certain activity the scientific community tags as research. This is what I have learned...
I have, through my few years of experience, realised the joy of this field, especially if it is outdoors and on a subject that I really find interesting. But the more I go out to collect data, the more I realise it’s the process of observing the world around me that yields quite often the most interesting, intriguing and thought-provoking information.
THE SEARCH BEGINS
Recently, I assisted a friend, who was part of a study on the Andaman Serpent Eagle Spilornis elgini conducted by the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON). A team of two individuals and I had to walk randomly selected 5 km. x 5 km. grids across the Andaman Island to record this endemic raptor. This basically meant hours on hours of walking through forests, mangroves, farmland and sometimes, even paved roads, to record this majestic bird.
Little did we realise that our minds were soon tuned to one sole objective ‘find the Andaman Serpent Eagle’. That became both our mission and our obsession. Hours turned into days and days into weeks. Sightings were frequent yet not entirely convincing (apart from a few individuals who stuck around for us to have a very clear look at them).
WHAT I LEARNED
Denne historien er fra September 2018-utgaven av Sanctuary Asia.
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Denne historien er fra September 2018-utgaven av Sanctuary Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Why Children Are Needed To Help Save The World
On my very first day in India, I encountered many marvelous new customs not practiced in the United States, my home country. But the most curious by far involved trees. Here and there, alongside the roaring streets of Mumbai were rings of marigold wreathed around twisting banyan trunks like dried rays of afternoon sunlight…
Who's Who?
Fact: all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads! Let’s unpack this...
The Sea Raptor
The White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster is one of the most common raptors along the Indian coastline. Nevertheless, the sight of this soaring, broad-winged, white and black bird of prey is nothing less than majestic
Bringing Up Bob Hoots.
While we were visiting a friend’s farm in the village of Yelachetty, near Bandipur Tiger Reserve, we found Spotted Owlets nesting on the tiled roof… and one of the chicks on the kitchen floor!
Yala, Land Of The Leopard
Yala is not only Sri Lanka’s second-largest, but also the most-visited national park in the island nation.
The Wizards Of Oz!
Australia is not only a country, but also a continent. The land down under, cut-off from the rest of the world has an abundance of unique species of native animals, birds, reptiles, insects and plants.
Scales & Tails
I was really excited and looking forward to the workshop on reptiles and amphibians at Nature’s Nest in Mollem, Goa, between June 24 and 26, 2017. It was my opportunity to meet renowned herpetologist Varad Giri.
Big, Brilliant And Endangered
When one thinks of elephants, the first word that probably comes to mind is BIG! But elephants, while they may be the largest creatures on land, are not just big and powerful, they’re wise and sensitive as well. Recent scientific studies have established that they are among the most intelligent animals in the world.
Earth Manners
Everyday habits matter! Let’s be kind to the planet, animals and ourselves!
World Scan
CHINA’S IVORY TOWNAn explosive investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency has revealed how criminal gangs originating from an obscure town in southern China have come to dominate the smuggling of ivory tusks poached from African elephants.
