Explore Wild India August 2018

80 Pages

Explore Wild India Nature  Wildlife  Conservation  Discover Volume I Issue 05 August 2018 100

• Nag Panchami Special

Our City: Mumbai – Towards Conservation Sanjay Gandhi National Park – Borivali

Introducing Editor DEVESH KUMAR

Principal Advisor K.BIHARI, AMRAWATI

WIF India

Design PRATIBHA

Photography AKANKSHA AGRAWAL, VINIT BHINDE SAMRUDHHA PATIL, KAPIL SHARMA ,KAPIL S. JOSHI ,YASHAS NARAYAN,GAURAV GHARAT, GIRISH CHOURE,CHINMAY JOSHI

Consultant PRATIMA

Printing L.B ENTERPRISES G-24 VILLAGE GAZIPUR DELHI 110096

Published by YOUNG GLOBAL PUBLICATIONS B-4 VANDHANA BUILDING 11, TOLSTOY MARG NEW DELHI 110001

Side Image MANAS BARVE EXPLORE WILD INDIA ⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽ Published and Printed By Mr.Harinath Rai on behalf of Mr. Devesh Kumar. Printed at L.B Enterprises G-24 Village Gazipur Delhi 110096 Published From Young Global Publications B-4 Basement Vandhana Building, 11, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi -110001 & Editor Mr. Devesh Kumar.

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Saleel Gharpure +91 9987 977 075 admin@srushtiexhibition.in

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Akanksha Agrawal / Artist Based in Mumbai Known for her works in Mixed Media Arts.

Samruddha Patil / Wildlife Photographer by Passion Based in Mumbai India.

Vinit Bhinde/ from Mumbai India.

A nature & wildlife photographer. .

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Author Page / WIF India Mumbai Photo: Ranjeet Jadhav

The image was taken at Aarey Milk colony in Mumbai using a DSLR camera trap. Aarey acts as a buffer zone to Sanjay Gandhi National Park which has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. The urban leopards of Mumbai are setting up a wonderful example of coexistence as they share space with tribal’s who don't see these beautiful cats as a threat. With rampant development and degradation in the habitat these cats too are facing a threat.

This image was also shortlisted in the top 15 images in the National Biodiversity Authority Contest few months back.

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My name is Ranjeet Jadhav and I am a journalist by profession. Currently working as a Special Correspondent for mid day newspaper, I write on Wildlife and Environment Conservation( in depth reporting on man animal conflict ).I . have been associated with mid day for close to a decade now and prior to that was working with free press journal. I have also been associated with a team of experts and volunteers doing camera trap exercise in Aarey milk colony for close to four years now.

Speak Up !

How do you see Mumbai as a Wildlife Zone?

Despite being a busy metropolis which has a high human population , it is blessed to have a forest known as Sanjay Gandhi National Park spread across 104 sq km and Aarey Milk Colony spread across 14 sq km. SGNP and Aarey have a rich biodiversity. What is interesting is the fact that, SGNP and Aarey has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. Despite so much of human pressure from all sides the Mumbai leopards are peacefully coexisting with the citizens as they have learned the art of adaptation. The need of the hour is to protect the existing forest cover in SGNP and Aarey because if the same is not done then the future for the wild animals seems to be very challenging.

What is Your Opinion about Indian Wildlife Conservation?

Indian Wildlife Conservation - I personally think that the work of wildlife conservation in India is better compared to other countries. Interestingly the Ministry of Environment and Forest and the various forest departments across the country are doing really commendable job. By Involving local communities staying around national parks and tiger reserves and making them stake holders, the forest department is doing a very good job.

Tell us about your “Photo of Leopard” in Aarey Colony?

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The image of this leopard that we call Luna along with her cub’s l was shot in Aarey milk colony using a DSLR camera trap, perhaps one of the few reaming green hubs in the city adjacent to Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Aarey colony has been in the lime light for past several years because of the controversies over “development vs. nature,” On a positive note, all the “save Aarey” campaigns have tremendous support from the citizens. Few of these Mumbaikars, for whom an evening trail in Aarey is a part and parcel of their routine, are involved in various activities such as tree plantation and nature trails. These water holes have been created for birds by these nature caring people.

Wonderfully though, this waterholes have now become a life saving resource for a number of animals, wild and domestic alike.

SGNP or Amboli which one you will select to Photograph Wild Animals?

Both Mumbai and Amboli have their own uniqueness. But given a choose among the both, I would Prefer Amboli.

How do you see Mumbaikars towards Wildlife Conservation?

Despite a hectic and very busy lifestyle, there are several NGOs from Mumbai who are doing an amazing work for wildlife conservation. Like Minded Mumbaikars do take active participation in wildlife conservation related activities. In 2001, the Mumbaikars for SGNP (MfSGNP) Project was launched in partnership with the forest department to understand the relationship between leopards and humans and mitigate conflicts, while also engaging people through dialogues and migration measures. Many Mumbaikars are active volunteers in the same. They take part in not just camera trapping but also in creating awareness on the periphery of the park by giving insight into this complex relationship between leopards and people in the SGNP landscape. During the program precautionary measures and emergency protocols to reduce potential conflicts are also discussed.

What is your favorite food?

Traditional Marathi food / Chinese Cuisine / Mughalia. ⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽ Interviewed by DEVESH KUMAR on behalf of WIF India Society Goregaon East Mumbai Maharashtra India.

RANJEET JADHAV is a journalist by profession. Currently working as a Special Correspondent for mid day newspaper (Mumbai). A Presentation by WIF India Society Mumbai Circle.

⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽ This Magazine is presented by WIF India Society Group Goregaon East Mumbai Maharashtra India.

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Contents On the Cover: The Leopard from the Aarey: Ranjeet Jadhav Captured the Beauty of Aarey Colony in Mumbai Maharashtra India.

●Storyteller 13. Unexplored Mumbai!

17. Spotlight!

22. Sightings: Story of Photo: Indian Cobra.

● People 49. Special Interview: Dr. Anish Andheria WCT Mumbai!

58. Wildlife in Art: Akanksha Agrawal 59. Special Mention: Deepansh Mishra

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● Photo feature 73. Photo of the Month: Kapil Sharma 75. Mountain Pit Viper: Girish Choure ● Quick’s Facts 77. Species Focus: Albino Russell's viper ● Online Discussions Photo: Prithivi Shekara

Photo: Suraj Poojary Indian Burrowing Frog is found in the drier regions of India from the Punjab and Sind to southern India and Sri Lanka. In the Himalayas, it occurs up to about 7000 feet. The structure of the hind limbs enables this frog to burrow in the ground for about 1.5 feet. The habitat ranges from dry, arid land to moist deciduous forest. The microhabitat in which this frog is found includes leaf litter or under rocks, in crevices or in open spaces in arid areas.

Location: SGNP Borivali Mumbai.

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EXPLORE WILD INDIA । Editor Notes

More at www.wifindia.in । Editor Notes

Editor’s Note

Mumbai , the City of Commerical Capital is very close to my heart famous for its wildlife habitat SGNP .In this Edition You will find lots of Information Regarding Mumbai’s Wildlife . I Would like to thanks My all wonderful photographers Friends and My Friend Ankita for helping me. My Friend Ranjit Jadhav photographed the leopard in Aarey Colony which got selected as on front cover of this Edition . “Lets Come and Save the Nature and Jungles” .

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● DEVESH KUMAR (EDITOR )

Photo : Saurabh Mandaknalli Disclaimer: All images are Copyright by their respective Owners. Unauthorized Use and / or Duplication of these images and Material Strictly Prohibited. Explore Wild India is not responsible for any error or mistakes in Articles , Pictures , Names & Spell which is submitted by Photographers and users, Explore Wild India is not responsible for advertisements, and user/ person shall bear all risks associated with the use of such content. All Images are Copyright with Particular Issue and Particular Volume.

Follow Devesh at Twitter: @Deveshdy 12

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Unexplored Mumbai!

There was on 24 September evening when I photographed this Indian Golden Jackal in its natural habitat- Mangroves of Mumbai. Jackals have been known to exist in the city and can be called the Apex predators of the city mangroves. We (me and my friend Deval Kadam) witnessed of 3 individuals making their way through the marshes of "Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary", which is a second home to the pink flocks of lesser and Greater flamingos that travel all the way from Ran of Kutch, Gujarat. There has been presence of the photographed mammal in mangroves of MMR region (Vikroli, Thane, Airoli, Gorai and Kandivali).

They have survived and have well- adapted to the unique ecosystem where their presence justifying their ecological niche and being at the top of the food chain, with very less competition with other glamour predator from Mumbai- Indian Leopard, which has also been recorded from mangroves of SGNP's Nagla block region, the area being the corridor for wildlife between Mumbai and Nasik &/Pune. According to the locals residing in mangroves, golden jackals are usually sighted in packs of 4/7 individuals, which rely on coordinated hunting of prey base which includes bird likes egrets, herons, storks, cormorants, mammals like rodents, mongoose, juvenile stray dogs, cats, snakes, monitor lizards etc.

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Chinmay Joshi // For WIF India Mumbai Goregaon East Mumbai Maharashtra India .

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I captured this beautiful venomous snake on my night trail to Matheran, Maharashtra. One of the most know hill station near Mumbai. Matheran is very rich with floura and fauna as well. We started our trail at midnight were this was our first sighting “THE BAMBOO PIT VIPER”. Snake was in a very aggressive position and also it was raining heavily. So we decided to wait for some time so that we can click photos.

Bamboo Pit Viper also known as Indian tree viper or green tree viper, found central and southern India. This arboreal and nocturnal bamboo viper is very aggressive in nature and an amazing green tree snake found in India.

Vinit Bhinde // WIF India Mumbai .

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Hunt- This was shot in the dragging a monitor lizard into the bushes while the lizard struggled f

ADVT

Wildlife Conservation Trust is an Environmental Conservation Organization are Working across 130 Protected Areas and 82 % of 50 Tiger Reserves in India Protecting Wildlife and Reviving Communities.

Wildlife Conservation Trust 11th Floor, Mafatlal Center, Nariman Point Mumbai Maharashtra India 400021.

 Advertisement Issued By WIF India Mumbai To raise Wildlife Awareness and its Conservation.

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Spotlight – My name is Rishi Virendra Chaurasia and I am 16 years old studying in 11th class.

I always wonder to see those animals which some people are scared to see them and I love to click wildlife images and to see endangered species and I always learn about something in wildlife that it is an immortal where you can find different species and I am a semi pro- photographer in this wildlife with some knowledge about it.

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The Indian cobra (Naja naja) is a highly poisonous snake species of the genus Naja of the family Elapidae and the sub-order a Serpentes found in the Indian subcontinent.

According to Hinduism it is a Symbol of Lord Shiva! - (The God of Universe)

Photo : Rishi Chaurasia

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Photo : Aniket Khaire // WIF India Mumbai . Location : Panvel // Navi Mumbai Checkered Keelback /Asiatic water snake Checkered Keelback is one of the most common snake species across the country. They are easily found near water bodies at daytime and on the land areas after sundown. they hunt for fishes in shallow water. These snakes come in different morphs like black-grey-yellow, mossgreen-black-grey-yellow, red-black-grey, and so on Even though they are completely non-venomous, rescuers tend to stay away from the species for two main reasons. For one, although Checkered Keelbacks are not fatal to humans,but they can give a painful bite when ditched, causing heavy bleeding. Secondly, the species have peculiar stink in them.

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The Above Image of Indian Cobra is taken By JY . Bros at Sanjay Gandhi National Park Borivali Mumbai India .

It is highly venomous snake, it feeds on rodents, lizards, and frogs etc . Widely founds in Indian Subcontinent .

Class – Reptilia | Diet: reptiles, amphibians etc Order - Squamata | Family: Elapidae | Conservation Status: Non-threatened Scientific Name - Naja naja | Habitat - rainforest, rice fields, cultivated land Range: India, central Asia, Southeast Asia .

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While herping in the dense woods of the Matheran hills, I didnt even notice when the light drizzle of the rain turned into heavy showers. But what I did notice was this extravagantly beautiful juvenile Bamboo Pit Viper waiting for a prey on the low branches of a tree somehow I managed to get some eye level shot in that heavy rain .

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Gaurav Gharat / WIF India Mumbai

Bamboo Pit Viper - Trimeresurus gramineus Kingdom – Animalia | Phylum – Chordata | Class – Reptilia | Order – Squamata | Genus – Trimeresurus | Species - Trimeresurus gramineus IUCN – Least Concern

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Indian Cobra This snake is one of the most dangerous snakes in India. It is responsible for10,000 bite mortalities in India each year. Deaths are common because this species likes to live in rice paddies. The coloring varies. Most have a "spectacle" marking on the back of the hood. When threatened this species spread its hood. They're most active during the night and they are good swimmers and climbers. They feed on a variety of animals, including mammals, birds, lizards, and other snakes.

Their venom is neurotoxic. The Indian Cobra is hunted by carnivorous mammals and birds of prey.

The Indian Cobra's most known characteristic features are the wide black band on the underside of the neck, and the hood marking design which shows half-rings on either side of the hood. It is a smooth-scaled snake with black eyes, a wide neck and head, and a medium-sized body. Its colouring varies from black, to dark brown, to a creamy white. The body is usually covered with a spectacled white or yellow pattern, which sometimes forms ragged bands. The Indian cobra may grow from 1.8m to 2.2m.There avarage life spam is neary about 23.5 years. This species is highly venomous, and its bite can be lethal. Because it hunts rodents that live around people, it is often encountered by accident, and many people die each year from N. naja bites. The Indian Cobra eats rats and mice that carry disease and eat human food. Also, cobra venom is a potential source of medicines, including anti-cancer drugs and pain-killers. Naja naja occurs in wild forest and in cultivated areas.

The Indian cobra feeds on rodents, lizards and frogs. It bites quickly, and then waits while its venom damages the nervous system of the prey, paralyzing and often killing it. Like all snakes, N. naja swallows its prey whole. This species sometimes enters buildings in search of rodent prey.

Tejas Ramesh Potdar // WIF India Mumbai .

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Naja naja from Barvi hills, Badlapur, Thane district Maharashtra | Kapil Joshi | WIF India Mumbai .

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This is Tanmayi Deepak Gurav studying mass media third year in R.D national college Bandra – Mumbai.

Decision of choosing mass media fleid was only for the love of photography. I have major interest in wildlife photography. Interestingly this shot was not taken in any jungle. It is in Bandra (Mumbai). In the world of increasing concrete jungles and glass museum, its really rare to spot the real struggle. Surely ,its the survival of the stronge.

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Green Vine Snake(Ahaetulla nasuta) Location: Amboli, Maharashtra July 2018 Canon eos 700D, 18-55mm... The green vine snake also known as long-nosed whip snake, is a slender green tree snake found in India, SriLanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The green vine snake is diurnal and mildly venomous. The reptile normally feeds on frogs and lizards using its binocular vision to hunt. They are slow moving, relying on camouflaging as a vine in foliage. The snake expands its body when disturbed to show a black and white scale marking. Also, they may open their mouth in threat display and point their head in the direction of the perceived threat.

By Samruddha Patil | WIF India Mumbai

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Malabar Grey Hornbill Endemic to the Western Ghats!

Malabar Grey Hornbill.

Scientific Name - (Ocyceros griseus).

Class - Aves This small, plain brownish-grey hornbill is 27wet forests of the found only in the tall Western Ghats.

Photo: Manas Barve / WIF India Mumbai

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Around India

Location: Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh Camera: canon 77d, tamron 150-600mm, handheld Story of this photo: It was a sunny day in the month of June while I was just surfing in the garden known as Bhawartal Garden which is located in Jabalpur district in Madhya Pradesh. During that evening I found one Spotted Owlet with her small family. That spotted owlet was playing with her kids continuously and enjoying the moment.

Everyone was looking at her but that doesn't matter to her in any of the ways. After spending some time owlet went with her family inside of hole which was in the tree. I captured that particular moment with my Camera 77 Canon with 150 600 mm tamron lens. I enjoyed that moment and felt very grateful to have a click like this.

Photo: Mohit K.

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Location: Agumbe Rainforest, Karnataka, India.

Camera: Nikon d5300 Lens: NIKKOR AF-s 55-300MM F/4.5-5.6G

Agumbe Rainforest is located in the central western ghats of southern India in the state of Karnataka and holds the record for receiving second highest rainfall over 7000mm.

It’s a southern tropical wet evergreen forest. In the year 1946 Agumbe has a record rainfall of around 4500mm in a single month. The full fledged rainfall could be witnessed in the month of July whereas the driest

month

would

be

February. The area has rich biodiversity with the presence of numerous endemic flora and fauna few of which are well known for the site like Lion tailed macaque, King cobra, Malabar trogon, yellow-browed bulbul, Sri Lankan frogmouth and much more. Agumbe is also home for innumerable eye catching wildlife like Indian gaur, giant squirrel, hornbills, orioles which drags various wildlife enthusiasts worldwide.

Agumbe is one of the highest peaks among western ghat to eyeshot the picturesque sunset view. It beholds countless landscapes dotted with waterfalls and home to many trekking routes. Few of the tourist spots that could be highlighted are Agumbe sunset point, 29

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Kavaledurga – an oldest fort built in the 9th century amidst thick jungle, Kudlu theertha - a breath taking waterfall that drops from a height of about 126 feet directly to the pond, Kundadri hill – a jain temple built over a huge monolith that lies 3200 above sea level, Barkana falls – a pleasing view of a waterfall from a distance, Various trekking spots like Narasimhaparvatha,

Kumara parvatha and the list goes on.

Common name: Green Vine Snake Scientific name: Oxybelis fulgidus Family: Colubridae

The photograph was captured at Agumbe rainforest amidst thick jungle after light showers. I was on a walk through the jungle and suddenly witnessed a slight movement in the bushes. When looked in closely it was a long, slender and well camouflaged snake commonly called Green vine 30

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snake. The only snake that looks pretty to my sight among the creepiest reptile family. The snake is moderately poisonous with little or no effect on humans but lethal to its small prey like lizard,

Frog or mouse. The interesting thing about the snake is its method of catching prey. The snake sits over a tree waiting for the prey. On finding one, it approaches and bites into the head followed by a sudden lift giving no time to the prey to use its physical strength to hold the ground. Green vine snake is commonly found in Agumbe and mimics the movement of a tender branch as an act of camouflage.

Apart from wildlife, Agumbe is also gateway for Tulunadu and its culture. Those were the blessed days of my life staying at agumbe witnessing local folk cultures like Yakshagana, kola and Sidi uthsava. Glad to see Indian culture blooming in the heart of Mother Nature.

Sunil. D / WIF India Mumbai.

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THE GORGEOUS BIRD

An early rainy morning in forest we walked into the land of Great Indian Hornbill from Anamalai hills. This huge male dad was busy feeding the chick and its mate. The hornbill was about to rest on the small branch where I wanted to freeze the exact moment before it lands and I successfully made it

 Hornbills single handedly provides food for both his mates and his chicks that stay locked to escape predators!

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Then came the female with new feed on its bill. The early morning rain gave us the lush green background and I framed this gorgeous bird in action.

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Vignesh Thangaraj.

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We went for a herping in Goa and Karnataka in the search of king cobra in May 2017, but we were not lucky to find it. But we spotted so many endemic creatures of Western Ghats that was on our list. This list was started with Southern flying lizard, the first reptile of the trip and it was very well camouflaged with its surroundings. List of reptiles continued with sightings of Bark geckos, Malabar pit viper; Hump nosed pit viper, Bed dome’s keel back and other endemic species of reptiles and frog.

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Vishal Varma

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

It the bank of river Dikrong there is a small town named Bihpuria where I live. It's a very small and peaceful town of Assam, India. On the last day of 2017, I, with some of my friends had a picnic party beside Dikrong. At the evening golden hour, when we about to leave the place after the party is over, one of my friend suddenly noticed a snake shedding his old skin (ecdysis) under a small tree. We all watched the process from a safe distance without disturbing the snake. I couldn’t capture this moment because the snake was almost hided in grass. As soon as he completed the shedding, he rose up his head towards the horizon and I captured that moment from behind lying down in the ground. It was a bronze backed tree snake, and his new skin was dazzling brightly in the golden rays of the Sun. -

Arpan Partha (Assam) // WIF India.

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- Fight of Tigers

I had visited Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Chandrapur district, Maharashtra state, India in Nov 2016 with some of my friends from Pune. We had been there to have a safari to see tigers especially. So photography of tigers and wild dogs was main aim. We witnessed something that was totally unexpected to see. An action packed safari which is dream for every individual to watch something unique in wild.

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Pratik Humnabadkar

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If you are a wildlife enthusiast and adventure lover then Kanha national park is surely the place to visit. Kanha National Park is situated in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the largest national parks of India spread across 940 sq. km. It is considered to be one of the best administered parks in Asia. The park is home to majestic royal Bengal tigers, leopards and barasingha as well which its only home is. I visit Kanha National Park once a year with my wildlife loving family. This year we planned a trip in the month of June. We took 4 safaris and were lucky enough to sight 4 different tigers. Months of May and early June are the best time to see a tiger as forest dries out and tiger in search of water can easily be sighted near ponds. During our way back to the main gate we saw White Eyed Buzzard facing towards sky as if hoping for rain.

White Eyed Buzzard |June 2018 |Kanha National Park | Somil Mehta // WIF India Mumbai.

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Campus Wildlife

From Our Instagram Page @wildlifeindia 

Pratik Humnabadkar

*Bird Name:*| Himalayan Vulture with Himalaya in background | Chopta, Uttarakhand, India . *Description: *I was on bird photography tour on the way to scenic location of Chopta at the topmost point of this location. Few vultures were flying in the valley of this place where it was almost impossible to get down on this slope but somehow I managed to move few steps below the slope. From here you see wide range of Himalayan Mountains with bright sunlight on it. However the place where I was sitting along the slope was wasn’t having any sunlight making the weather chilling cold and challenging for photography. One more challenge was that the Himalayan Mountains were getting covered with clouds constantly making it difficult to get the background of Himalayas. Here is one of the shot from series I could manage to get.

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*"It is a different game altogether when it comes to forests in monsoon. Day 1 in Kabini when we were desperately searching for the Black Panther, we have encountered a herd of elephants and started capturing them hidden In the lush green grass. .The mother elephant after a while did mock attack on our jeep twice on the side I was sitting. Though horrific, we had to stay calm and she backed up after staring up close for 5 minutes. We started moving and there it comes this beautiful baby elephant appeared picking up some vegetation& realized that the mother attacked to protect her baby. It is extremely important to understand the subject and its behavior in wildlife."* Ujval Pasupuleti //WIF India Mumbai.

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Explore Wild India Nature  Wildlife  Conservation  Discover

A flock is strength Grandala Royal birds with royal blue color! We got to see these endemic birds at an elevation of 9000+ feet near Lachen in North Sikkim, India. We had travelled from Pune to North Sikkim

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to see some of the rarities in birds and Grandala was one of them. For first couple of days we had no sighting of these species.

Eventually on one of the mornings, there was heavy rainfall at Lachen.

Once there is snowfall at higher altitude, there is rainfall at its lower elevation. As confirmed with locals there was a heavy snowfall at 18000 feet above. Hence because of this snowfall, we witnessed a big flock of Grandala at Lachen itself. The flock was so big that it contained almost 450-500 Grandala in numbers. Whole day was full of rains at regular time intervals. We had full day sighting of these elusive birds.

As a part of observation, these birds stay in a flock. You will never see a single Grandala in any of the region. And that is how they stay protected from other raptors like sparrow hawk, buzzards, eagles and other bird of prey species. Flock is always bond together. So even if a single individual flies, the whole flock goes with it. Same is followed in case of feeding time. Grandala feeds on fruits and perches on fruiting trees for long time. The whole flock of birds position themselves on a single tree filling the whole tree with royal blue color. We saw such tree from a distance and it looked as if the tree had blue colored fruits on it. The color is very vibrant and exotic hence one could see such tree from fair distance. Often sometimes we saw that a flock even gets dispersed. But even in this case, another small flock is separated which has same behavior. Eventually after some time the flock gets combined again.

Although the weather conditions were not favorable for photography, I was able to make a lot of images with different frame compositions. We got some mesmerizing frames like a Grandala couple, tree full of Grandala and the flock in flight through the snow. The whole day we spent only with Grandala but other bird sighting was excellent as well. I must say if you are a bird watcher / bird photographer / bird lover, once in lifetime you must see this attractive bird in real!

Pratik Humnabadkar // WIF India Mumbai.

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was on a morning drive through the beautiful jungle parts of Kaziranga National Park. We were

in a great rush because we got news of a tiger sighting. When we arrived it was not a tiger, but a leopard sitting in a tree. As soon as the vehicles arrived he disappeared into the forest. Most of the jeeps left soon after. I told my guide to stick around a bit longer. While we were sitting there I saw this beautiful barking deer calmly approaching. Though the dense leaves of the jungle I was able to observe this prehistoric deer, feeding on plants.

Dario Nessi // WIF India Mumbai.

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Forest crab, these crabs are commonly sighted during monsoons (from June to September) but they are also abundant during the dry season. This picture was clicked during the monsoon season at Amboli rainforest situated in Maharashtra.

Although these Crabs are characteristically olive-brown with orange-brown and hairy in common & the claw-bearing legs are uniquely in size with left one much larger than right.

This characteristic makes crabs beautiful and more attractive. In males, fingers of the larger claw have six or seven teeth and they meet at the tip leaving larger gap while those of the females have nine or ten teeth & a smaller gap in between them.

When I was searching for some beauty of the nature. I came across this cool creature.

Which I have clicked using my 50mm lens alongside horizontally in heavy dense forest Photo: Gopi Gadkari // WIF India Mumbai.

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.

ADVT Wildlife SOS was established in 1995 by a small group of individuals inspired to start a movement and make lasting change to protect and conserve India’s natural heritage, forest and wildlife wealth. Today, the organization has evolved to actively work towards protecting Indian wildlife, conserving habitat, studying biodiversity, conducting research and creating alternative and sustainable livelihoods for erstwhile poacher communities or those communities that depend on wildlife for sustenance

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Jungle! Inbox

When we arrived at manimuthaaru, waterfall near Tirunelveli, I saw these two macaques playing with each other in a single branch. These two were putting up a show and were fun to watch.

I had a wonderful opportunity to grab few photos of these two. While playing one lost its grip and was about to fall when it grabbed hold of the tail of the other monkey. It was a beautiful moment and I feel lucky to witness and grab this beautiful moment.

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Naresh iyer

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World Trending Interview with WCT Mumbai President – Dr. Anish Andheria .

WCT ( Wildlife Conservation Trust) Mumbai President Dr. Anish Andheria talks about himself & wildlife., Recently Dr. Anish Andheria has been Interviewed By WIF India‘s Editor Devesh Kumar .

Photo: Anish Andheria

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1. What is Your Opinion about Indian Wildlife Conservation?

India has come a long way from the early 1970s when emphasis was laid on declaring national parks or sanctuaries and people were forcibly relocated out of protected areas (PAs) to a more balanced approach where coexistence of people and wildlife is being accepted as the order of the day. The old species-centric conservation model has metamorphosed into an ecosystembased, more holistic strategy where rights of people is given considerable weight age.

Conservation science now takes precedence over pure natural history studies. Conservationists and newer policies are focused on forests outside national parks and sanctuaries. The word ‘corridor’ has become increasingly important. Wildlife monitoring has improved by several magnitudes since 1970s. There is much more awareness about endangered species and the implications of violating wildlife laws. A much greater proportion of young adults are taking interest in wildlife and conservation. More students are looking at conservation science as a career option than ever before.

Currently, India has about 770 PAs (national parks, sanctuaries, conservation reserves and community reserves), however these constitute only about 5 per cent of the total land area of the country. In early 1970s, the biggest threat to wildlife and forest came from hunting for subsistence and sport, poaching for international trade, firewood collection, livestock grazing and man-made forest fires. Nearly 50 years have passed and these threats still persist. To make matters worse, fragmentation due to massive growth in linear infrastructure, mining and large dams has emerged as a major threat to the already depleting forests and wildlife. This fragmentation has led to an increased interaction between people and wildlife, resulting in frequent instances of conflict; this in turn has led to indiscriminate killings of wildlife using electrocution and poisoning. Some of the species targeted by villagers who are frustrated due to the increasing rate of conflict are tiger, leopard, elephant, all bear species, Nilgai, wild pig, wild dog, several snake species, all crocodile species and even peafowl. Hence, while awareness about and interest in conservation has increased manifolds, the threats and challenges faced by India’s forest and wildlife too have grown drastically. Whether the former will nullify the latter only time will tell.

2. What is WCT? How it works for conserving Wildlife Species and Heritage?

Using the tiger as a metaphor for all of nature, the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT), a not-for-profit, was set up to work closely with the government to preserve and protect 50

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India’s rich natural heritage. WCT’s activities are spread over 160 Protected Areas (PAs) and several reserve/territorial forests in 23 states, covering 82 per cent of 50 tiger reserves and 21 per cent of all PAs of India. The organization is involved in improving the protection mechanism of national parks and sanctuaries; in law enforcement training; habitat and species conservation; management of human-wildlife interface; introducing innovative technologies in conservation and monitoring of large carnivores; and in providing healthcare to frontline forest staff. Having understood the acute need for sustainability of both natural resources and humans, the organization lays equal emphasis on conservation of ecosystems and rural development. Hence, creating better livelihood options for local communities and enhancing the quality of education in rural schools also form an important part of WCT’s interventions.

3. Panna or Ranthambhore which one you will select to Photograph Wild Animals?

A difficult choice for a person who loves to observe, study and photograph everything that constitutes a forest – from fungi, leaves, ants and frogs to rivers, landscapes, crocodiles and tigers. Both parks are absolutely breathtaking in terms of terrain and biodiversity. Both are rugged, look drastically different in different seasons, have large water bodies within their boundaries and provide great round-the-year visibility. To do justice to your question, let 51

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me try to simplify stuff – if you like predictability and want to get up and close with tigers, Ranthambhore is the place for you, but if you like suspense and are willing to earn your sightings, Panna will not let you down. Besides, the Ken River, that cuts a deep gorge through the belly of Panna, is a sight to behold. Both tiger reserves are great for birds and reptiles. In Ranthambhore, the only mode of transport is a four-wheel drive vehicle, but Panna offers a boat ride in addition to the gypsy, which brings you at eye-level with crocodiles and turtles. Panna is probably one of the best places for photographing the Eurasian griffon and Long-billed vultures. To summarize, a true wildlife will make the most of any landscape, as every square meter of a forest has enough life to keep one busy for a lifetime.

Photo : Anish Andheria

4. How do you see Mumbai as a Wildlife Zone??

Mumbai is a blessed city as it has unparalleled natural attributes in the form of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and the Arabian Sea. There is enough wildlife within the city limits to keep even the most serious naturalists engaged. An early exposure to these natural spaces has encouraged a lot of youngsters to either take-up wildlife (birds, butterflies, trees, bats, marine arthropods, and fish) watching as a hobby or take-on conservation as a career of choice. To have a 103 sq. km. national park, with rich biodiversity (over 700 flowering plants; over 40 species of amphibian and reptiles; over 40 52

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species of mammals including a healthy population of leopards; over 150 species of butterflies; etc.) within 30-60 minutes from your home is a boon for Mumbaikars. Other green spaces such as Aarey, Vashi Flamingo Sanctuary, Sewri mudflats, Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP) and Jijamata Udyan add their share of tranquility to an otherwise over-built, infrastructure-heavy, hyper-city. Mumbai is a city of contrasts – the chaotic urban on one hand and the tranquil wild on the other.

Although the biodiversity of the urban section of Mumbai has dropped drastically in the past two decades, a keen eye can catch a glimpse of wildlife even when surrounded by skyscrappers – barn owls, dolphins, giant fruit bats, brown-headed gulls, rat snakes, wolf snakes, Brahminy skinks, softshell turtles, coppersmith barbets, white-browed fantail, greater and lesser flamingos, black kites and more. Having said this, what remains is not even 20 percent of what there was 2-3 decades ago. The biggest reason for this catastrophic decline is the reclamation of its freshwater ponds and mangroves to accommodate more buildings. The pressure on the remaining green spaces escalates with every passing day – the detoxification of a large chunk of Aarey in the name of metro carshed is a classic example of our insensitivity towards healthy, biodiverse areas.

Unless we stringently protect the last remaining greens of Mumbai and reinforce our shoreline by replanting mangroves, Mumbai will lose both its soul and real estate value. In other words, it will spell doom for both our hearts and pockets. The choice is ours.

5. How do you see Mumbaikars towards Wildlife Conservation?

There is deep concern for the environment but this concern is not backed by concrete action. Most discussions begin and end at the lunch table. Mumbai’s busy life or the perception of a busy life is often thrown as an excuse for our delinquencies. There is a good amount of awareness and firsthand exposure to the ill-effects of environmental degradation, however the ‘someone-else-will-do-it’ attitude seems to be at the root of this uncaring behavior. Be it a tree that is being sacrificed in the name of road-widening; or the destruction of the coastal sanctity in the name of a road that is going to cater to cars rather than much-better mass transport options such as trains and metros; or a beautiful mangrove ecosystem (our city’s insurance policy against storms and floods) being ravaged by an international airport – nothing seems to alarm millions of parents even as they accept that the future generation will have to pay the price for their inaction. Not enough pressure is being put on the government to stop or undo the damage we have done to our natural ecosystems. This is going to bite us back, badly.

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Photo : Anish Andheria 6. How do you see India as Wildlife Country?

Despite the plethora of problems surrounding forests and wildlife, India does provide a unique conservation model that the world can learn from. I have spent a lot of time discussing conservation with practitioners from across the world; I have also traveled to several forests abroad and witnessed conservation strategies employed in other countries, and I am convinced that India is the cornerstone in the field of wildlife conservation. The unique thing that separates India from all other countries is its culture which advocates compassion for forests and wildlife, the primary reason why despite a population size of 1.3 billion people, acute poverty across several states, an increasing inequity between the rich and the poor and huge pressures on our natural resources, we have conserved our wildlife including large mammals such as tigers, elephants, one-horned rhinoceros, snow leopards, etc., which is a herculean task considering the conflict that arises when people interact with these species. India harbors over 400 species of mammals, 25,000 species of flowering plants, over 1300 species of birds, over 1500 species of butterflies, approximately 305 species of snakes and extremely rich marine biodiversity, and this is possible because people have an unsaid respect for mother nature. Having said this, we cannot take this resilience for granted. Recent instances where angry mobs have stoned 54

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leopards and bears to death or where villagers have thrown burning tyres and explosives on elephant herds are strong warning signals for the days to come. The government, with the help of NGOs, conservationists, wildlife biologists, social scientists and media will have to come up with a robust, species and area-specific strategy to mitigate the growing stress between people and wildlife, if India wants to continue to be a global leader in the field of conservation.

Photo : Anish Andheria

• Dr. Anish Andheria Exclusive for WIF India Mumbai .

Interview Speak -

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Dr. Anish Andheria is the President of the Wildlife Conservation Trust (Mumbai) and has nearly three decades of experience in the field of natural history and conservation. He has been awarded the prestigious Carl Zeiss Conservation Award in 2008 and the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Institute of Chemical Technology in 2017. He is a large carnivore biologist with specialization in prey-predator relationships.

He is also a member of the State Board of Wildlife of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, and of the Executive Committee of the Madhya Pradesh Tiger Foundation Society.

Dr. Anish Andheria President – Wildlife Conservation Trust (Mumbai) Websites: www.anishandheria.com and www.wildlifeconservationtrust.org; Instagram: anishandheria Twitter: @anishandheria

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Wildlife In Art

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he watercolor painting by artist Swagata Sarkar features a (male) bird Rufous-

Bellied Niltava (Niltave Sundara). These birds are fairly common in northern India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Thailand. The bird belongs to flycatcher (Muscicapidae) family and looks very similar to Tickell’s Blue flycatcher (Cyornistickelliae). The conservation status (IUCN) of these birds belongs to “Least Concern “category. The breeding season of these birds usually ranges from April to August. These beautiful birds tend to stay in subtropical forest undergrowth and feed on small invertebrates and larvae, such as ants, beetles and flies.

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Swagata Sarkar (Artist)

Akanksha Agrawal, contemporary wildlife artist based in Mumbai.

Herewith a photograph of the artwork .

Photo

Artwork: :SaduShelar Watercolor on paper Lovebirds Lose contemporary style.

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pecialMention

Are ‘HUMANS’ much more Poisonous than Snakes? – Deepansh Mishra

India, a developing country today, is known for its IT or agricultural sector growing at a pace of 7.1% GDP growth annually. But this wasn’t same a few decades back. As always heard from my childhood days, about India believed to be a country of Snake Charmers until I witnessed the complete truth about snakes and their so called “Sapera’s” or Wranglers.

Year after year, on the occasion of Naag Panchami (15 August 2018)- an annual Hindu traditional worship of serpents, these Sapera’s or Snake Charmers bring these serpents in their bamboo baskets and could be seen beguiling crowds with their ability to control some of the world's most venomous reptiles.

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But to some it’s just an art based on cruelty!

I discovered the bitter truth about Naag Panchmi back in 2013 while being a part of a snake rescue and release operation run by the forest dept of M.P against this unethical practice of snake charming and illegal possession of wild animals under schedule I. Totally more than 650+ snakes were rescued from the snake charmers and Snake catchers, of which 432 Cobras, 102 Red Sand Boas, 25 Rat snakes, 7 Royal snakes, 1 Rock Python and 2 Monitor lizard were seized.

“As per the Wildlife Act 1972, no person can hunt any wild animal specified in schedule I, II, III and IV. The Government of India enacted the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 with the objective of effectively protecting the wild life and put a check on poaching, smuggling and illegal trade in wildlife. Only Indian egg eating snake is listed under Schedule I, while species like cobras, Indian Rat snake (dhaman), king cobra, checkered keelback and dogfaced snake are in Schedule II. All snake species other than these fall under Schedule IV.” Thus Snake charming and their possession is an unlawful profession as to own them and to use them for commercial purposes which was earlier transferred between generations, but it is still widely practiced in many parts of our country.

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But does each person in the Streets dressed traditionally, long beard with a turban on head and a flute in hand having a huge sack on his back with a basket full of ill-treated and abused scaly creature, really a Snake Charmer?

Surprisingly no, sadly most of them were imposters. During the rescue and release operation, more than 650+ Snake boxes were seized which were brought o be displayed on streets in the name of Faith and worship (Photograph 1-4). And shockingly most of the Snake-boxes caught hold on a day before Naag Panchami, were found to be empty. This was surely indicating towards something weird to us, and on further enquiry it revealed to be an illegal Wildlife Trade and trafficking of reptiles which were working in and around cities to fulfill the hike in the demand of snakes during such a religious occasion.

Thus most of the Snake Charmers caught were not originally related to this profession but were mostly daily wagers involved in low income jobs but they were attracted to earn the extra income in the name of this blind faith. Thus they were customers to traders or “professional snake catchers” who had actually caught a mass no. of snakes from nearby regional forest areas and sold snakes to these One day Snake charmers.

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And it’s even true, as from no-where could an army of 500+ Snake Charmers could erupt in a city for such a short while carrying hundreds of snakes on their backs and vanish for another year. Our suspicion for an organized reptile trafficking trade proved when during the search program, few snakes captured were not even originally resident of Madhya Pradesh. About seven (7) Royal snakes were seized on various instances and individuals which were somehow related to trafficker from Rajasthan. Thus it revealed about the organized illegal trading which is not just regional but also emerging at inter-state levels.

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Since by now we knew that most charmers caught roadsides did not belonged to the actual deep rooted snake Charmer communities like the Irula community of south India or the Baigas of Central India. Thus how to train a common person into a professional snake charmer and also to prevent them from these severely poisonous reptiles?

So to prevent most of the one day Sapera’s, the original snake catchers would either break off the animal's fangs or puncture the venom glands present behind the eyes of a Cobra. Or they may also sew its mouth shut with strong cobbler thread or shamelessly stick the lips of the poor reptile with Cyanoacrylate glues like feviquick, because the snake must be handled well and made to dance on the tune “Been” to lure maximum eye balls–certainly not an occupation for the weak-hearted. Thus even harmless non-venomous snakes like Rat snakes fall as a bait to this cruel trade of Snake charming as in Photograph 9 where the mouth was sewn as preventive measures from a potential bite for the amateur one day sapera’s. As a post result, the snake even after being released in the wild are left incapable to eat properly and slowly pushed to death by inability to kill and feed.

In present scenario Snake charming does not pay any tribute to these fascinating reptiles whereas we unknowing pays them with atrocities in the name of faith. Snakes are captured and often kept in suffocating bags or tiny boxes and made to starve. Also with either their mouth sewn shut or snake's venom duct pierced with a hot needle, causing its glands to burst. Starving snakes makes them compulsory to go against their natural diet and drink milk offered to them. But MILK IS NOT A PART OF A SNAKE’S NATURAL DIET. It dehydrates them and causes severe allergic reactions.

During the rescue operation, a large no. of these snakes had injuries on their mouth due to sewing their mouths with strong threads (Cobbler’s Thread) or in an attempt to escape from the traditional 64

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bamboo baskets and even their fangs were pulled out with bloodied injuries still fresh(Photograph 8,10,11). Some snakes even had their eyes damaged because of the 'tika' (vermillion) applied to their hoods during prayer ceremony which trickles into them. These captured and injured snakes were well treated by veterinary doctors before releasing them into the wild.

Indian wildlife has always been an integral part of the age old mythological stories and traditions across the nation. May it be the tigers being the divine mount for goddess Durga or Snakes being depicted coiled around the neck of Lord Shiva, people are still unaware that in the name of religion and faith, it’s always the animal who always suffers the trade off. It usually results into mass massacre of the particular specie during their specific occasions, like Owls during Diwali or several avian during Makar Sankaranti . Thus it’s high time for everyone to be aware and not support any such deep rooted activities which involve direct or indirect links to illegal wildlife trade. Also device ways to engage these local communities like the Irula, for sustaining with the changing environment and shift their age old traditions with substituting ways of earning. Thus the primary steps could be engaging these communities into Reptile rescue and conservation related jobs and use their snake wrangling expertise for Venom collection and developing newer and effective antivenom. And for the immediate effect, encouraging awareness regarding reptile conservation and illegal wildlife trades and to motivate them to start carrying clay or metal idol of snakes for the purpose of Hindu faith and traditions.

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Save the Jungle! Save the Earth

A few years back I was guiding a few guests on nature walk in K. Gudi, BR hills. As we were walking around the campus looking for birds, warning calls of barking deer and bonnet macaque broke out in close quarters, we followed these calls for a few meters ahead and found this beautiful female leopard resting on a tree very close to our camp area. We stood still and spent almost an hour with the leopard without disturbing it.

It was a surreal experience and a very special sighting for me as I tracked this leopard on foot.

By Yashas Narayan // WIF India Mumbai 66

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Wildlife of India: The Past, Present, and the Future Picture: Paresh Deshmukh

ADVT

The jungle has so many beautiful moments to offer, if one decides to look for them! While returning from a morning drive in May, we stumbled upon one such amazing natural moment. The "caw-caw" of a group of crows brought us to a halt on the main road. Though it was behind a cluster of tall grass, it did not take us long to realize what was going on.

Through the grass, we could first see a pair jackals running around with small pieces of meat in their mouths. Then arrived a family of wild boars, followed by two vultures. The jungle crows were in their company all along. We could not believe our luck, as, within a few minutes, we had all the jungle's major scavengers in front of us in the same frame.

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City Lights!

Mumbai

Shot by Sharvin .G at SGNP!

Shot by Pranjali M at Borivali East !

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Kingdom Phylum Class Order Genus Species

Animalia Chordata Aves Pelecaniformes Microcarbo M. niger

The little cormorant (Microcarbo Niger) has a place with the family Phalacrocoracidae. The little cormorant species is found in Indian Subcontinent & Myanmar, Thailand Indonesia.

Photo : Priyanka Karpe // WIF India Mumbai .

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Kingdom Phylum Class Order Genus Species

Animalia Chordata Mammalia Primates Macaca M. mulatta

Photo: Mukesh Thakur // WIF India Mumbai | Location: Matheran 71

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The night was in her dying hours. A splendid blue had spread all across the sky when the early risers of the jungle heralded arrival of light. Two kids were sitting alongside each other, sticking together, as their mother had instructed them. She had gone off in search of food, or to mark her area of the forest, in all cases, to keep the cubs safe and nurtured.

They knew that it can to be a long wait, for neither the food, nor the territory was easy to come by. They were in their teenage and just starting to get acquainted with the ways of the woods. It was only a matter of time for them to go at it on their own. With a beautiful call of Pitta, first rays of the sun kissed the carpet of leaves! Their mother had not returned yet.

Sitting on a small mud ridge, they were now embracing the soft, golden glow that was showing their beautifully striped orange coats. Their occasional yawns and lazy rolling around was a proof that it was time to doze off. They were up all night. Even after calling out to their mother a few time, there had been no answer, and they had realized that they were on their own for the day. The sun was now up and glowing bright, making them move places in search of shade. Day was here and it was time to get back to their hiding spots to grab some sleep . hirni’s cubs. Alizanja Buffer. Summer 2018.

By Paresh Deshmukh / WIF India Mumbai.

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EXPLORE WILD INDIA । Photofeature

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This Image of Bicolored frog is taken from Amboli!

Photo of the Month Photo: Kapil Sharma

Kapil Sharma’s Photo has been selected as Photo of the Month -The image was taken from Amboli hills! Amboli Ghat is a small part of the green lies in Western Ghats i.e. a bio-diversity hotspot of India and for the world. However, during monsoons, it looks very beautiful with full greenery all around .

July to September is the best time for exploring species in Amboli. . The bicolored frog or Malabar frog (Clinotarsus curtipes) is a species of frog endemic to the Western Ghats of India. It is a medium sized frog, olive yellow to cream on dorsum and black on the dorsal sides and hence named as "bicolored" because of two different colors. It is a terrestrial leaf-litter frog & considered as NEARLY THREATENED (NT) in the red list category.

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EXPLORE WILD INDIA । Photofeature

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This photo was taken in Thol bird sanctuary near resting or canteen area. I was simply having rest after a long walk along the lakeside when suddenly I noticed two of them. One peeping out and another one at another perch. A I was sitting very close it couldn't come closer to the bird which was in hole. I chose to give them space and then I saw it came closer and I made the frame.

Shreya Singha Ray // WIF India .

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EXPLORE WILD INDIA Facts EXPLORE WILD INDIA| ।Quick Photofeature

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Ovophis Monticola [Mountain pit viper] When we talk about Vipers from India “Mountain Pit Viper” is a mystery. After photographing almost all vipers from India what was left is ghost of North East Mountains. After long waiting on my 5 herping years at last I was going Northeast India. Mountain Pit Viper was always on my top five snakes. From Pune to Aizwal. .After reaching our cottage it was almost late evening, Perfect time to start with for herping. And the search begins. We started our herping in surrounding forest. We were guided that it is extremely shy and very well camouflaged snake which makes it more difficult to search for. Forest ground is full of leaf litters and rock making us hard to sight this beauty but who thought that as if this ghost of mountains will show itself in just first 30 minutes as if it was just waiting for me to reach their. What a moment. As I walking through dense forest, deadly mountains in foggy night .I hear something crawling in leaf litter and I scream “it’s here, it’s here. First Sighting of female Mountain pit viper. All these year for this Moment Girish Choure // WIF India Mumbai.

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Albino Russell's Viper (Daboia russelii) Highly Venomous Albinism is the "congenital absence of any pigmentation or coloration in a person, animal or plant, resulting in white hair and pink eyes in mammals. And loses its original color.

Snakes turn out to become pink or yellowish. I have been lucky enough to see many albino snakes in past few years. But never saw albino Russell's viper .Only one or two records of albino Russell's viper from India. Russell's viper is one of world famous snake and has glory to it head as worlds one of deadliest snake, with very aggressive nature, its highly venomous as well. In India highest number of snake bite deaths is caused by Russell's viper. This snake also has loudest hissing sound. Finding such kind of Albino snake is very special, After all its among the big four Spectacled Cobra, Common Krait, Saw Scaled Viper, Russell's Viper] from India.

This snake was rescued in Mumbai by Akshay Dange from kopar khairane Navi Mumbai. After documenting the snake it was released back into its habitat without any disturbance.

Such case is one in ten thousands, so I feel really lucky that I was able to witness this beauty myself. Photo: Girish Choure / WIF India Mumbai.

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Photo: Shivam Tiwari at Mumbai Maharashtra India. .