Neha S M

Wildlife enthusiast, Dentist, rural health care

[மேகமலைக்காதலன் ( A true lover of Megamalai ) @MegamalaiS]

This is State Highway 28 (SH 28), specifically the stretch that passes through the Nilambur teak forests and plantations in Malappuram, Kerala.

Forward video & credits to respective owner

[Mohan Pargaien IFS🇮🇳 @pargaien]

Children bear the heaviest burden — from polluted air and water stress to floods and extreme heat. Protecting the climate is protecting childhood.

Read this 👇 from @UNICEF

https://t.co/j3O1ulQEZ8

[Gaurrav bhrdwj @gaurravbhrdwj]

Rajasthan’s first rewilding programme was successfully completed on 23/06/2026 when RVT-7 finally stepped out of the enclosure.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated team of Abhayda Biological Park. It is because of their sincere efforts, intelligent planning, and excellent start that we have achieved this milestone today. RVT-7 is now roaming freely in the forests of Ramgarh Tiger Reserve, while his sister MT-7 is free in Mukundra Tiger Reserve.
The story of their release is also very interesting. These two siblings were kept for nearly 18 months in a small, human-free enclosure at Abhayda Biological Park, where they were given the opportunity to learn hunting on their own. Live buffalo calves and goats were regularly released into the enclosure. In this training, the female MT-7 consistently performed better and was usually the one who hunted the live prey. Gradually, the male RVT-7 also gained courage and confidence.
After a good start, the day came when both brother and sister were sent to their different destinations two separate tiger reserves. After a few days in the larger enclosed areas, their behaviour began to normalise. Their initial enclosure was approximately 5 hectares and contained many wild herbivores. Now they had to hunt on their own, something they had done earlier, but only in a much smaller space.
One year later, an NTCA team arrived and thoroughly examined the activity of both these sub-adult tigers. They were found fit for the wild as per NTCA SOPs. However, to further strengthen their rewilding training, the team recommended shifting them into a larger enclosure (this time 21 hectares) before full release. Accordingly, the female was shifted to the bigger enclosure, while the male remained in the 5-hectare enclosure until his final release.
A common behaviour was observed in both siblings at the time of release it took them 36–46 hours to finally leave the enclosure. After coming out, both returned inside once before stepping out for good.
I am also happy to share that the tigress MT-7 has already formed a pair with a resident male tiger in the wild and is consistently hunting. This is the result of her 3 years and 5 months of rigorous training. In the absence of her mother, she has emerged as a strong and capable hunter.
In the same sequence, RVT-7 also came out of the enclosure again. On 23/06/2026 at 10:00 PM he had gone back inside, but the next evening at 4:00 PM he took his first steps into the jungle.
I have no doubts about this tiger’s ability to survive in the wild. The only concern is a possible conflict with the existing male tiger RVT-1. We cannot deny that such fights are part of the laws of the jungle, but they can put three years of hard work at risk.
Today we have not just released a tiger into his natural habitat we have ensured both tigers freedom along with the assurance that genes will now help in repopulating tigers in both Mukundra and Ramgarh Tiger Reserves.
From my side, I extend my best wishes to both these tigers for their new and vibrant life. May their future be bright. I pray to the Lord for the same.
What is your opinion on this? Please do share in the comments. #tigerrewilding #bigcatstory #bigcatprotection #wildlifeawareness #mukundrahillstigerreserve #Ramgarhtigerreserve #Ranthambhoretigerbloodline
Tiger RVT-7 trying to come outside.

[மேகமலைக்காதலன் ( A true lover of Megamalai ) @MegamalaiS]

Padayappa is a legendary, widely celebrated wild Indian elephant who roams the hill station of Munnar. Named after Rajinikanth’s titular character in the 1999 blockbuster movie Padayappa, this iconic tusker has achieved celebrity status among locals and tourists.

[Manas Muduli @manas_muduli]

A forest guard halts traffic, not for a VIP convoy, but for a wild elephant to cross the road.

Sometimes the road belongs to those who were here long before us.

This is how humans and wildlife can coexist.

[The Thinking Tiger @krish_bohra]

Captive-bred Indian vulture flies 3,334 km from Maharashtra's Melghat to Ranthambore https://t.co/iXkqSIYw2C

[Lewis Pugh Foundation @LewisPughFDN]

Sperm whales have accents.

Scientists studying sperm whales in the Mediterranean have discovered distinct regional dialects. By analysing patterns of clicks used for communication, researchers found consistent differences between whale groups in the eastern and western Mediterranean.

The findings suggest that these vocal traditions may have evolved as whale populations became partially separated over long periods of time.

The more we learn about these remarkable animals, the more complex they become.

The ocean is full of mysteries. Some of them are speaking to each other right now.

Learn more https://t.co/4v521rJyTA

📷 Image: Amanda Cotton/Ocean Image Bank
Sperm whales photographed off Dominica (Caribbean)

@theoceanagency @UNBiodiversity
#whales #oceanscience

[Supriya Sahu IAS @supriyasahuias]

In a stunning convergence of science and nature, our satellite-tagged turtles are helping decode an ancient oceanic map ! As the Southwest Monsoon sets in, several Olive Ridleys have moved towards the southern Bay of Bengal and the waters around Sri Lanka, to seasonal hotspots where warm Bay waters meet cooler Indian Ocean currents. This oceanic mixing fuels a burst of marine productivity, creating rich feeding grounds that turtles have navigated to for millions of years. Long before satellites, they knew exactly where to go. Today, Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s pioneering satellite-tagging project is helping us understand how these remarkable navigators read the ocean and connect distant marine ecosystems Credits- TN Turtle Telemetry Project in partnership with Dr @sureshwii , @wii_india @Aiwcrteofficial & @tnforestdept #TNForest

[Give A Shit About Nature @giveashitnature]

Indonesia has banned elephant rides nationwide. It's the first country in Asia to do so.

Wild elephants aren't naturally inclined to carry people. Making them willing to do it requires a training process called phajaan, or "spirit breaking," in which young elephants, often taken from their mothers, are confined, restrained, and subjected to physical and psychological stress until they comply.

Investigations across Southeast Asia have documented this process at facilities that market themselves as conservation centers. The breaking happens off-camera, and the compliant elephant is what tourists see.

The ride itself puts significant stress on an elephant's spine. Elephant spines aren't structured to support weight. The howdah, the wooden or metal chair used for rides, concentrates that load further. Chronic musculoskeletal injuries have been documented at ride facilities across Asia.

Between rides, many elephants spend the majority of their time chained. The stereotypic swaying behavior visible at tourist facilities, repetitive, rhythmic, side to side, doesn't occur in wild elephants. Ethologists classify it as a stress response to captivity and confinement.

Thailand still has nearly 3,000 elephants in tourism venues. A 2025 welfare report found two-thirds of them living in conditions that researchers described as poor to severely inadequate.

Indonesia's ban won't fix any of that. But it's the first government in the region to draw the line.

[Neha S M @NehaSM12]

@toondrops Pluto

[Supriya Sahu IAS @supriyasahuias]

Elephants, gaurs, deer and countless other species are returning to areas once overrun by invasive plants as the TN Forest Department, GOTN continues one of India’s largest ecosystem restoration efforts. More than 40,000 hectares of Forests have been restored, including nearly 31,000 hectares cleared of lantana. The true measure of success, however, is not the number of hectares cleared but the return of life. Landscapes once choked by invasive species are witnessing the revival of native habitats, with large mammals and ground-nesting birds reclaiming these restored spaces. The removed biomass is converted into briquettes. Around 120 MT of briquettes have been supplied to local tea factories creating a circular climate solution This pioneering initiative advances two global goals simultaneously: biodiversity recovery through ecosystem restoration and climate action through sustainable carbon management. Kudos all the DFOs, DDs and frontline Staff who are behind this initiative. Video DD MTR Thiru Ganeshan #TNForest #Generationrestoration

[The Thinking Tiger @krish_bohra]

Out of Sight: The Rann, Thar, and the Great Indian Bustard
https://t.co/QVPyEXsWHL

[Give A Shit About Nature @giveashitnature]

In 1932, a survey of the contiguous United States turned up 69 trumpeter swans. It was yet another species sitting right at the edge of extinction.

Hunting had done most of the damage. The Hudson's Bay Company alone marketed an estimated 108,000 swan skins between 1823 and 1880, the feathers destined for hats and powder puffs, the primary flight feathers prized as writing quills.

By the early 1900s, the species was gone from virtually its entire historic range, which had once stretched from Alaska to Indiana and south to Texas and California.

What saved them first was a patch of remote hot springs in southwestern Montana, where year-round open water allowed a small remnant population to survive.

President Roosevelt established the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in 1935 specifically to protect it. Then, in the 1950s, aerial surveys of Alaska revealed several thousand more trumpeters in remote habitat nobody had checked. The gene pool was larger than anyone knew.

Restoration programs began moving birds from Red Rock Lakes and Alaska eggs into their former range across the Midwest. Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio. The work took decades and involved state agencies, zoos, private breeders, and a nonprofit founded in 1968 specifically for the purpose.

The North American trumpeter swan population now stands at over 63,000 birds.

[ALEXIS ™I ❤️🇷🇼• @dufitalexis1]

Pigeons: The Forgotten Partners of Human History

For thousands of years, pigeons lived alongside humans as messengers, companions, and working animals. Today, they are often overlooked despite their remarkable history and abilities.

Before modern communication systems existed, pigeons carried messages across long distances with impressive accuracy. Their homing instinct made them invaluable during wars, trade, and emergency situations.

During both World Wars, messenger pigeons delivered critical information when other communication methods failed. Some were even awarded medals for extraordinary service and bravery.

Pigeons are highly social birds and form strong pair bonds. Many pairs remain together throughout multiple breeding seasons and share responsibilities such as nest building, incubating eggs, and caring for their young.

Research has shown that pigeons possess excellent navigation skills and can recognize patterns, landmarks, and even individual human faces. Their intelligence continues to interest scientists around the world.

Urban pigeons are descendants of domesticated birds that were once intentionally bred and cared for by people. Their presence in cities reflects a long shared history between humans and birds.

Whether seen in parks, town squares, or city streets, pigeons remain an important part of urban wildlife and a reminder of a partnership that shaped human communication for centuries.

[Dr. PM Dhakate @paragenetics]

Encounters like the one in this video capture an essential learning curve in the wild. Cubs, Sub-adult leopards use these interactions to map their environment and test prey boundaries. Lacking the experience to breach keratin armor, their approach is driven by curiosity rather than predation. The pangolin’s defense, rolling into a sphere, safeguards its underbelly entirely. On the ground, we usually see this novelty wear off over time, leaving the young cat to walk away. It represents a quiet, ongoing balance between prey defense and predator development.
VC: Sudantha_Chandrasena
#Leopard #Predator #Pangolin #Wildlife #AnimalBehavior

[Anand Malligavad @AMalligavad]

Before & After in less than 30 days & Next 10 days pond will be full of water because rains will shower shortly 👍“50+ years of accumulated silt removed. Water-holding capacity increased 3 times more, ensuring better rainwater storage and stronger groundwater recharge for future.

[Supriya Sahu IAS @supriyasahuias]

If forests could speak, Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu would tell one of India’s greatest conservation stories. Most people do not fully appreciate the true value of protected areas. We must know the value of sheer abundance of life they sustain. Anamalai Tiger Reserve is India's 28th Tiger Reserve spread in nearly 1,480 sq. km. It shelters an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including 88 species of mammals, 320 species of birds, 157 species of reptiles, 112 species of amphibians and 146 species of orchids. It is also home to some of the Western Ghats’ most iconic endemic species, including the Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Marten, Nilgiri Langur and Malabar Giant Squirrel, as well as stunning birds such as the Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Palani Laughing Thrush, Malabar Starling, Legge's Hawk Eagle & Great Hornbills. This shows what long-term protection can achieve and why expanding and strengthening our network of protected areas should be the most important priority for sustaining all life. See the Photos by our FRO Thiru Venkatesh. Video @supriyasahuias

[Gaurrav bhrdwj @gaurravbhrdwj]

Today, my desire and determination have become even stronger after learning that Kumbhalgarh in Rajasthan has now been declared a Tiger Reserve. The National Tiger Conservation Authority has granted approval for it.
In the coming days, the dominance of the tiger reserves located on Rajasthan’s border with Madhya Pradesh will end. This is being considered a significant step in tiger conservation.
I look forward to that beautiful future when my favourite animal, the tiger, will travel from Kumbhalgarh through Rawli-Totgarh via the corridor and reach the boundaries of my city as well. We will then be able to witness a beautiful and tiger-rich wildlife.
This is a moment of immense joy from the depths of my soul, which I am sharing with all of you. #kumbhalgarhtigerreserve #tigerreintroduction #rajasthantourism #bigcatofindia

[Kaushik Rai @iKaushikRai]

Another proud conservation success for Assam.

A scientific study conducted in Kaziranga National Park has confirmed a healthy population of the Greater Hog Badger, locally known as Mati Gahori. The first ever scientific assessment using camera trap data recorded more than 60 individuals of this globally Vulnerable species.

This significant finding reflects the success of sustained conservation efforts and highlights the rich biodiversity that continues to flourish in Assam’s natural heritage.

[Colossal Biosciences® @colossal]

🤩 The Vietnam pheasant is about to "touch grass" again. 20 birds are flying from Berlin to Vietnam, and the moment they land, a Critically Endangered species is officially back in the wild after 25 years. Congrats Viet Nature, @OfficialZSL and @chesterzoo. (1/3)