Category: Environment

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) near California (USA) has caused thousands of sea lions to become ill and aggressive, with some attacking nearby humans. The culprit is Domoic acid, a neurotoxin released by the algae diatom Pseudo-nitzschia, which blooms explosively under certain conditions. How Domoic Acid Affects Sea Lions What Are Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)? Causes of HABs? (Sources: DOE & NOAA)

Colossal Biosciences, a U.S.-based company in Dallas, has announced the birth of three genetically engineered Dire wolf pups using ancient DNA from fossilized dire wolves. This is being referred to as the world’s first “de-extincted” animal. How Was It Done? Name of Newborns Names inspired by Roman mythology and Game of Thrones lore. About the Dire Wolf

The Wildlife Wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (HPFD) has recorded the first-ever photographic evidence of the Woolly Flying Squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus) in the remote Miyar Valley of the Lahaul and Spiti district. This marks a major milestone in wildlife conservation and significantly updates the state’s mammalian biodiversity records. Key Highlights: Background: About Miyar Valley: (Source: IE)

A team of researchers from India and U.K. have discovered a species of land snail from the Konkan region of Maharashtra and named it, ‘Theobaldius konkanensis.’ (Source: TH)

Once thought to be unique to humans, culture—including community-specific behaviors and dialects—is now recognized in several animal species. A groundbreaking study from the Taï Chimpanzee Project in West Africa has identified four distinct mating-related gestures, or “dialects,” used by male chimpanzees to attract mates. The observed dialects include: Notably, the knuckle-knock was once present in the North community, but has disappeared since 1999 due to population decline, illustrating how social Read More …

The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) has been a global threat to honeybee populations, and now its has been recorded for the first time in India. Aethina tumida was recorded from a moderately large colony of European honeybees, or Apis mellifera, in an apiary in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. Key Highlights Threat Overview Spread History Impact on Bees Consequences Response and Precaution (Source: TH)

The Supreme Court has directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to conduct a comprehensive survey of the Agasthyamalai landscape. Survey Scope: Agasthyamalai Landscape Highlights: Protected Areas within the Reserve: (Source: TH & UNESCO)

India has vociferously advocated the need for a Collective Leadership for advancing the 2030 Climate Agenda at the 11th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting, held in Brasilia, Brazil, on April 3, 2025. Key Highlights (Source: PIB)

The Odisha government’s revival of the Pipalapanka Dam proposal in Ganjam district has sparked protests from environmentalists and local communities over potential ecological consequences. Key Issues & Concerns 🔹 Threat to Rushikulya River: 🔹 Impact on Olive Ridley Turtles: 🔹 History of the Project: About Rushikulya River

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has issued a warning that frankincense is at risk of extinction. Main Species Affected: Notable Boswellia Species: Uses of Frankincense: (Source: DTE)

An “unprecedented” mass bleaching event has been recorded off Australia’s western coast, scientists said on March 26, 2025, turning huge chunks of a celebrated reef system a sickly dull white. Key Points What is Bleaching? Degree heating weeks (DHW) (Sources: TH & The Guardian )

The Tamil Nadu government has officially notified Kasampatty (Veera Kovil) sacred grove as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. This makes Kasampatty the second BHS in Tamil Nadu, after Arittapatti (Madurai) About Biodiversity Heritage Site (Source: The Hindu, PIB)

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has released its first-ever Green Status assessment for lions (Panthera leo), ranking the species as ‘Largely Depleted’. What does this mean? What is the IUCN Green Status? Lion Categories (Source: DTE)

A comprehensive study of over 67,000 animal species has provided a mixed picture of global biodiversity, revealing that while many species face ongoing threats, targeted conservation efforts have successfully prevented extinctions. About the Study (Published in PLOS Biology): Successful Conservation Cases: Key Conservation Strategies: The Need for Continued Action: (Source: Phys)