Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity
Volume:7 Issue: 4, Autumn 2023

Numerous studies over the last decade have shown the positive effects of green infrastructure and protected areas like the (Natura) 2000 network on the economy and the quality of life of local communities. Carbon storage, water supply and purification, flood management, soil retention, recreation and tourism, fish and timber availability, and so on are all examples of benefits. Understanding the importance of biodiversity conservation, garnering funding for upkeep and restoration, and encouraging responsible involvement in protected areas have all benefited from these assessments. Fourteen national parks, one hundred ninety-nine wildlife sanctuaries, ninetysix game reserves, sixteen unclassified areas (private, planned, or indicated), a biosphere reserve, and nine wetlands recognized by the Ramsar Convention may be found in Pakistan. The total area covered by these clusters is 9,170,121 hectares (10.4%). Ecosystem requirements are not being met due to size, dispersion, or management. Various laws need the creation of policy and legal frameworks, the enforcement of laws, the development of capacity, the provision of incentives, and the provision of funds from federal and provincial governments, all with the goal of safeguarding biodiversity (Heydari, Omidipour, & Greenlee, 2020). Federal policies and programmes are necessary for the conservation and sustainable use of biological variety. This article examines the significance of conservation efforts and future evaluations in halting biodiversity loss.

The wide range of wildlife animals in India is suffering from a combination of threats, which leads to suitable habitat loss, and increasing conflict between human and illegal wildlife trade that is pushing the wildlife population towards extinction. However, studies in India are showing that indiscriminate poaching and illegal trade are increasingly becoming the main drivers for the extinction of species. Recent, illegal wildlife trades have received attention from biological and conservation perspectives. In that context, the present reviewed the wildlife crimes in West Bengal and their conservation practices. The study reviewed the recent wildlife crimes in West Bengal and the conservation practices employed in West Bengal to save the wildlife species are also listed. The law enforcement and involvement of NGOs in the protection of wildlife are also itemized in detail and the actions which is taken by the Indian government against wildlife crimes are enumerated in detail. Following this, the impact caused by the occurrence of wildlife crimes is also discussed. Thus, the present study will guide future researchers about the wildlife crimes in West Bengal and the conservation practices, which are involved in animal protection. It also creates awareness among people regarding the impact of wildlife crimes and the measures taken against wildlife crimes.

The National Zoological Park (NZP), New Delhi is one of the large category zoos of the country housing a number of endangered species of animals. The zoo is visited by a large number of visitors every year. The zoo provides a naturalistic environment and other facilities like feed, healthcare, etc. to the captive animals. However, in captivity the housing conditions, visitation and other factors may jeopardize the natural behaviour, health as well as welfare of animals due to which the animal shows abnormal behaviour i.e. stereotypic behaviour. The study aims to investigate the effect of zoo visitors (visitor noise and density) and different types of enrichment on the behaviour of Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris) housed in the NZP. During the study, 10 individual Bengal tigers were studied during two phases: pre-enrichment and post-enrichment. The effect of visitor noise and density were also taken into account during both phases. The results of the study revealed a positive correlation between visitor density and noise with stereotypic behaviours in Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris) housed in the NZP. Therefore, there is an urgent need to review the existing visitation pattern at the zoo, and the carrying capacity of the visitor display area for the enclosures housing tigers so that the abnormal or stereotypic behaviour performed by the animals may be reduced and the welfare status of the captive animals can be improved which in turn helps in conserving the animals in captivity. Ultimately, the outcomes of this study can contribute to the development of better management strategies and enriching experiences for both the animals and visitors in zoological parks.

The article provides information on the embryonic development of the Levantine viper (Macrovipera lebetina obtusa Dwigubsky, 1832), its stages of morphogenesis, and the morphological variability of embryogenesis at the time of ovulation. It was determined that on the day of egg laying, the blood vessels of the provisional organs (allantois and yolk sac) were formed and covered 50-60% of the body surface of the embryo, and the embryos are already in the initial stages of embryonic development morphogenesis (spiral twist of the body and the beginning of the formation of the tongue). It was determined that the Levantine viper has already finished the 33-35 day development period (embryonic period) in the oviducts by the time of ovulation. After the egg was laid outside, the morphogenesis stages of embryonic development during the natural incubation period were determined according to the morphology of the embryos and the level of development of provisional organs, and 7 stages were described. As a result of the morphological study, 4 periods were distinguished in the embryonic development of the Levantine viper: embryo, pre-fetus and fetus (morphogenesis), and hatching periods. The article describes the morphology and development process of embryos in the stages of morphogenesis and embryonic development.

The status of non-native tilapia species was evaluated by sampling campaigns in fishing grounds in the central part of the Shadegan Wetland, southwest Iran in 2014–15 (with follow-up in 2019). Considering a high percentage of relative species abundance, the tilapia species (Coptodon zillii and Oreochromis aureus) are well established in the wetland. As the management plans of such species are difficult and expensive, prevention of the introduction of these species to other water bodies is highly recommended.

Sarawak is home to a diverse array of primate species in Malaysia, i.e., 14 species from five families. Over the years, many studies on primates’ behavior, ecology and conservation have been conducted in Sarawak. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of previous primate studies in Sarawak from 1960 to 2022 and discuss primates' threats, conservation status, and initiatives. Despite the vast number of these primate studies, the majority of them only focus on proboscis monkeys (n=24) and orangutans (n=21) and lack comprehensive studies that cover all primate species in Sarawak. Studies on ecology and natural history were the most prevalent for all Sarawak primate genera (n=51), accounting for more than half of publications. Thus, it advocates a more holistic approach to fill the knowledge gaps and meet conservation needs. Conservation efforts are urgently needed to protect primates currently threatened by deforestation, habitat fragmentation, hunting, and illegal trade. However, conservation efforts may be restrained by the limited information on primates in Sarawak. To preserve the primates in Sarawak, a robust protection strategy that synergizes the participation of government authorities, non-government organizations, and local communities needs to be developed.

The African bush mango, Irvingia gabonensis Baill, 1884 (Aubry-lecomte ex o’rorke) is a diverse species whose edible seeds are commonly used as a delicacy in soups and as a main source of income throughout Cross River State, Nigeria. Given its enormous economic value for the rural population, we investigated current and future occurrence, geographic distribution, and suitable and unsuitable habitats in the face of unsustainable use and changing climate scenarios. Our study assessed and marked the occurrence of I. gabonensis using Global Positioning System (GPS) software in 36 forested areas encompassing northern, central and southern geographical zones of Cross River State, Nigeria. Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) was applied to forecast the ecological niche of I. gabonensis currently and in the future under the AfriClim (RCP 8.5) 2070 scenario. The performance of the MaxEnt model was gauged by the ‘area under the receiver operating characteristic curve’ (ROC) and the complementary ‘area under the curve’ (AUC), ‘variable contribution rate, ‘jackknife tests’ and true skill statistics (TSS). MaxEnt results set quadruple BioClim variables (‘BIO 6 - minimum temperature of coldest month’, ‘BIO 12 - annual precipitation’, ‘BIO 13 - precipitation of coldest month’, and ‘BIO 14 - precipitation of driest month’ as most important decisive variables playing a role in the geographic distribution of the species. Currently, 94.79% of Cross River State is suitable habitat for I. gabonensis, with future projections showing a significant 79.59% reduction in suitable habitat at the ‘minimum training presence’ threshold. Only a few secure areas (20.41%); Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (central zone), Cross River National Park, Okwangwo Division (central zone) and Oban Division (southern zone) will continue to exist as suitable habitats for the species. The results achieved call attention to the need to protect, cultivate or breed and initiate the species in the preferred areas.

Large and meso-carnivores play crucial roles in ecosystems. A systematic camera trap study conducted in Khao Yai National Park has confirmed that this area serves as a habitat for at least 18 significant carnivorous wildlife species from 6 families and 14 genera. Most of this wildlife is active during the night. The study identified 2 species as endangered, 6 species as vulnerable, and 2 species as near-threatened according to the IUCN Red List. When considering the conservation status at the national level, there is 1 species in the critically endangered category, 5 species in the endangered category, 6 species in the vulnerable category, and 2 species in the near-threatened category. The study's results have highlighted the close correlation between the distribution of wild animals in the area and human activities. Therefore, it is crucial to enforce strict regulations to avoid disrupting natural behaviors within this ecosystem.

In this study, 82 nests in the Thrace region, the only distribution area of the European redwood ant (Formica pratensis Retzius,1783) in Turkey, were identified and monitored for two years. A nest ID was created for each nest, showing nest features, strategic location, habitat characteristics and some morphometric differences of workers. The species ' living areas (area of occupancy, AOO) and extension of occurrence (EOO) calculations were also carried out. Statistical analyses were carried out to show the relationships between these features. The results demonstrated that the optimum distribution of the nests is between 300-600 m, and the nests are mainly located at a distance of 0-200 m close to the water source. Nests are mostly built facing south in open areas in fields or forests, and the B-shaped nest is the most frequently observed nest morphology. Moreover, colony individuals frequently visit oak and blackberry species, and the Thracian population tends to form monodomous nests at a rate of 95%. The relationship between the morphological characteristics of ants (NHLI, NBH, LBH and HW), nest altitude data, and the distance of nests to water sources and forest areas was tested with Spearman rank correlation analysis, and a weak reverse correlation was found between the averages of NBH data and nest altitudes (r: -0.300; p<0.05), at 95% confidence interval. Accordingly, the AOO of the species in the Thrace region was calculated as 50,176 m2 and the EOO was 3,682 km2. All nests are shown on political maps, and applicable maps have been created in which buffer zoning and conservation areas are suggested. In total, 36 conservation and awareness training types were also carried out in two years, reaching 1201 students, and 92% awareness was created. Our results indicate that the nests cannot remain stable for many years due to intense human pressure.

This article presents an analysis of Cotton Bolls’ size and shape indicators in geographically distant hybrids F1. It has been established that in hybrid plants obtained by crossing small-boll and large-boll forms, the dominance of the large-boll parent is observed. In the form of a boll in F1 hybrid plants in, all types of inheritance are observed. Significant changes in the shape of the boll are observed in hybrid combinations, where geographically distant samples served as initial forms. It has been established that in F1 plants the inheritance of morphological traits depends on the genetic structure and on the geographical distance of the crossed forms.

The daily behaviours of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) during the breeding period were examined in the Sootave region of NW Iran. While previous studies by Carmen Martinez (2000) in Spain have provided insights into the seasonal variation, times of day, and land use patterns of Great Bustard activities, this study focuses on understanding the month-to-month variations in behaviour during the breeding period. Data on time budgets were collected, distinguishing between sexes and months. The study revealed variations in behaviours such as courtship, feeding, resting, scanning, moving, flying, and incubation, shedding light on how these behaviours change throughout the breeding season. Males were found to spend more time on courtship displays in March and April, while females allocated more time to feeding during those months. In May and June, these patterns reversed. The study provides important insights into the daily behaviours of Great Bustards during their breeding season, contributing to our understanding of this globally threatened species in Iran.