A novel assessment of nylon barriers against tiger incursions of Sundarban Tiger Reserve area

Background Captive large felids are at risk of various uterine diseases that include pyometra, hematometra, and neoplasms (leiomyoma and adenocarcinoma). Objective This case study aimed to describe seven cases of female uterine diseases were diagnosed in three zoos and one wildlife rescue center over nine years in Malaysia. Case Description The cases diagnosed were on three Malayan tigers (Panthera tigris jacksoni), a white Bengal tiger (P. tigris tigris), two white lions (P. leo), and a common leopard (P. pardus). Diagnosis was made based on clinical signs, blood tests (complete blood counts and serum biochemistry), abdominal radiographs, ultrasonography, laparoscopy, cytology, and histopathology (post-mortem). Medical Management Treatments included ovariohysterectomy, systemic antibiotics, analgesics, hormones, and fluid therapy. The outcomes in these cases varied. Conclusion The most common clinical signs seen in these seven cases were vulvar discharge, inappetence, and lethargy. Common blood findings were neutrophilia, leukocytosis, and hyperproteinemia due to hyperglobulinemia. Abdominal radiographs were generally non-specific, revealing radiopaque structures within the abdomen. Ultrasonography revealed a distended and fluid/mass-filled uterus. Reproductive evaluation of large captive felids should be included in annual health checks as the females age.

In this research paper, I have thoroughly described the topic “Human-Wildlife Conflict and its Impact on Tourism in Manas and Kaziranga National Parks.” Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) in Assam’s Manas and Kaziranga National Parks—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—poses a significant threat to biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism. These parks, home to endangered species like the one-horned Rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, and Asian elephant, face escalating conflicts due to habitat fragmentation, agricultural expansion, and climate-induced flooding. Such conflicts result in crop damage, livestock predation, and human fatalities, triggering retaliatory killings and strained community relations. The tourism sector, a vital economic driver, suffers due to safety concerns, declining wildlife visibility, and infrastructure damage. Data reveals a 15% drop in Kaziranga’s peak-season tourism and a 20% decline in foreign visitors to Manas over five years, leading to annual revenue losses of INR 2 cr. and INR 80 lakh, respectively. Poaching exacerbates the crisis, with Kaziranga reporting 25+ incidents in five years, while infrastructure damages cost INR 1.5 cr. (Kaziranga) and INR 50 lakh (Manas) in 2022 alone. Mitigation strategies—such as eco-tourism zones, drone surveillance, and community compensation (INR 4 lakh per fatality)—show promise but require scaling. Effective solutions demand integrated approaches: habitat restoration, wildlife corridors, and participatory conservation programs. Balancing ecological integrity with tourism growth is critical to safeguarding these parks’ global significance, ensuring economic stability 1 for local communities, and preserving India’s natural heritage. Without urgent intervention, persistent conflicts risk further tourism decline, undermining both conservation and livelihoods in these ecologically fragile regions.

Turtles represent one of the most imperilled groups of organisms on earth, with approximately 40% of the world's existing turtle species facing the risk of extinction due to various anthropogenic factors. The northern river terrapin (Batagur baska), a critically endangered species belonging to the Geoemydidae family, is currently limited to the Sundarbans in India and Bangladesh. B. baska has been wiped out from much of its former habitat, with no known wild populations remaining. Captive breeding programs were initiated at the Sajnekhali range station within the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve to bolster dwindling populations. Until now, no genetic data have been available for the last remaining population of B. baska in the Sundarbans, India. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the mitogenome of B. baska (~ 16,280bp) to explore the gene arrangements and phylogenetic relationships with other Testudines and gain insights into the adaptive evolution of mitochondrial protein-coding genes. Furthermore, we examined genetic diversity and population demography using the mtDNA control region (CR: ~747bp) for B. baska and compared the diversity with other endangered Batagur species. The data revealed the presence of 5 haplotypes in 22 sequences, indicating low levels of nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0012). Phylogenetic analyses using mitogenome (except control region) produce a well-supported genetic relationship with high posterior probability (PP ~ 0.99) between the Northern (B. baska) and Southern (B. affinis) river terrapins followed by B. kachuga. Population demography analysis suggested a declining trend from the late Pleistocene to the Last Glacial Maximum. Considering the ongoing in-situ breeding programs, we suggest to expand this program and continue reinforcement and integration with translocation to mitigate the impact of the low nucleotide and limited population size. These measures are crucial for preserving the genetic diversity and conservation of the critically endangered B. baska. Further, we emphasize the need for extensive research by incorporating microsatellite analysis or whole genome sequencing to gain for deep insight into the genetic status of B. baska in the Sundarbans.

ABSTRACTThe Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), a flagship and umbrella species of the South Asian forest ecosystem, has declined dramatically in population and geographic distribution due to human‐caused habitat fragmentation and poaching over the past century. Global tiger populations may persist in the next century only if the size and quality of the current habitat remain unchanged. Our first‐of‐its‐kind study in Nepal assesses whether these habitat requirements are in place through an analysis of habitat suitability to predict the future habitat of tigers in varying climatic scenarios across the country. We collected tiger‐presence location (GPS points) from tiger surveys conducted by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal, in 2018 and 2022 across the country. We used MaxEnt software in varying Shared Socio‐economic Pathways (SSP 245 and 585) employing eight bioclimatic and two topographic variables to predict the future habitats of the tiger in 2050, 2070, and 2090. In the SSP 245 scenario, tiger habitat could increase for all three time periods, but in the SSP 585 scenario, the habitat will increase only in 2050. Interestingly, in both scenarios, tiger habitat will increase by more than 80% in 2050. The expanded habitat in all scenarios is outside of protected areas and northeast of the current habitat. This indicates that extreme climate change scenarios with more industrialization, urbanization, and land use change have a greater impact on tiger habitat. Furthermore, tiger habitat qualitatively shifts from protected areas to outside protected areas in the human‐dominated landscape. This creates more challenges for conservationists and managers as human‐tiger interaction may surge. Proactive management solutions to protect Nepal's tigers for the next century could include expanding or establishing new protected areas, establishing connectivity and corridors between the tiger habitats, in addition to anticipatory efforts to address human‐wildlife conflicts that will emerge in this changing landscape.

Anthropogenic factors shape the gut microbiota of tigers in Indian tiger reserves

As part of its mission to advance the field of wildlife endocrinology, the International Society of Wildlife Endocrinology aims to develop cost-effective antibodies and enzyme immunoassay kits that support research across a diverse range of species and sample matrices. To provide additional options for the quantification of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs), an antibody against 11-oxoetiocholanolone-17-carboxymethyl oxime (CMO) was generated in rabbits, and an enzyme immunoassay incorporating a horseradish peroxidase-conjugated label and 11-oxoetiocholanolone standard has been developed, designed for use with anti-rabbit IgG secondary antibody coated plates. This mini-kit was used to quantify glucocorticoid metabolites with a 5β-3α-ol-11-one structure in faecal extracts from 23 species: African and Asian elephants, Alpine chamois, American bison, Bengal tiger, blue wildebeest, blue-and-yellow macaw, brushtail possum, cape buffalo, fat-tailed dunnart, Florida manatee, ghost bat, giraffe, golden langur, Gould’s wattled bat, hippopotamus, Leadbeater’s possum, mandrill, okapi, roan antelope, samango monkey, short-beaked echidna, and western lowland gorilla. Pharmacological (adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge) and biological (inter-zoo translocation, wild capture, social disruption, illness/injury and veterinary intervention) challenges resulted in expected increases in fGCM concentrations, and in a subset of species, closely paralleled results from a previously established immunoassay against 11-oxoetiocholanolone-17-CMO. Two additional species tested, Krefft’s glider, which showed contradictory results on this assay compared to a previously validated enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and Ankole cow, where the magnitude increase post-event did not quite reach the 2-fold change criteria, highlight that differences in excreted faecal metabolites across species mean that no EIA will be suitable for all species. This assay provides a valuable new option for assessing adrenal activity across taxa using a group-specific antibody. Future studies should put similar emphasis on validation to determine optimal assay choice for measuring fGCMs in a variety of species.

BackgroundCanine parvovirus (CPV) poses an emerging threat to endangered felids, yet its epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics in tigers remain poorly characterized.MethodsPathogen detection was performed through necropsy, colloidal gold assays, and PCR on a deceased Bengal tiger, followed by genetic and molecular characterization of the identified CPV.ResultsThis study isolated a CPV-2c strain (HNSY-031) from captive Bengal tigers. Genetic analysis revealed its closest relationship to Vietnamese canine parvoviruses, with 100% identity to CPV strains circulating in China and Vietnam since 2020. Molecular characterization identified 12 amino acid mutations within the VP2 protein, including key residues associated with host adaptation and viral evolution.ConclusionsThe isolated CPV-2c strain may have originated from multiple potential sources, including contact with domestic or wild animals or contaminated environments. These findings highlight the necessity of implementing comprehensive biosecurity protocols around wildlife facilities, expanding vaccination programs for animals in surrounding regions, and establishing ongoing surveillance systems to monitor potential sources of pathogen exposure.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12985-025-02952-y.

Abstract The tiger Panthera tigris is an apex predator categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The availability of sufficient prey is a key requirement for its survival. The tiger diet landscape refers to a dynamic ecological picture of the diverse prey species consumed by tigers in a specific region, reflecting the complex relationships between tiger populations and their prey. It can provide information on the tiger’s preferred prey as well as the conservation status of prey species across boundaries. To draw up a road map for the conservation and management of tigers across the Indian subcontinent, where the Bengal tiger Panthera tigris tigris occurs, we identified which prey species make up the majority of the tiger’s diet and answered questions relating to prey density, distribution and conservation status. We reviewed 48 studies published over 30 years (1992–2022) on tiger diet and prey availability. We recorded c. 30 mammalian prey species, with chital Axis axis, sambar Rusa unicolor, wild boar Sus scrofa, Tarai gray langur Semnopithecus hector, northern red muntjac Muntiacus vaginalis and domestic livestock contributing c. 90% of the total relative biomass consumed. Nearly half of the prey species are of conservation concern (categorized as Near-Threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered on the IUCN Red List), and 11 prey species are listed on CITES Appendix I. As part of a sustainable tiger conservation road map, we suggest that the tiger’s major prey species should be incorporated into government protection schemes.

The Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC) plays a crucial role in the rescue, care, and release of wild animals. The health of these animals was meticulously evaluated during their care and before their reintroduction into their natural habitat. An annual surveillance study of parasitic infections in wildlife at the Hanoi WRC was conducted to establish a scientific basis for developing preventive measures to manage the health of these animals. A total of 46 fresh fecal samples were opportunistically collected immediately following defecation using a shovel. These samples were obtained from 25 tigers (age: 10.8±3.6 years) and 21 bears (age: 11.2±4.6 years) captured at the Hanoi WRC in November 2024. Fecal samples were examined using sedimentation and centrifugal flotation methods to identify the presence of parasites. Subsequently, parasite eggs were collected using a micropipette for DNA extraction. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing techniques were used to determine the parasite species. It was found that 20.0% of tigers (5 out of 25) and 23.8% of bears (5 out of 21) were infected with parasitic worms. The identification of these infections was achieved through the examination of the morphological characteristics of the eggs. This analysis identified the presence of trematode eggs, nematode eggs, including Strongyle type, and Toxascaris leonina. Molecular analysis further identified Strongyle eggs as belonging to Ancylostoma ceylanicum, which accounted for 12.0% of infections in tigers and 23.8% in bears. Additionally, Toxascaris leonina was detected exclusively in tigers, representing 12.0% of infections. Trematode eggs were found solely in tiger feces; however, molecular amplification was unsuccessful due to the insufficient number of eggs detected. The discovery of two zoonotic nematodes, A. ceylanicum and To. leonina in tigers and bears at the Hanoi (WRC) underscores the potential risk of nematode transmission from wildlife to humans and domestic animals in this area and its surrounding areas. The findings of this study will aid in the development of a prevention program aimed at controling gastrointestinal helminths in wild animals within the study region.

Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) and Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) are widespread across the Indian subcontinent and form a major part of apex predators in the forest ecosystem. However, both species are endangered, and their fragile populations could be threatened by the introduction of pathogenic agents. In the present study, archived biological samples of big cats collected from different protected areas and zoological parks in central India were subjected to molecular and histological analysis for canine distemper virus (CDV) infection. Preserved biological samples were processed for molecular detection of CDV using nucleoprotein gene primers. Nucleotide sequencing and BLAST analysis of the positive samples demonstrated a close similarity to the CDV isolates from several wild carnivore hosts. Immunohistochemistry performed on formalin-fixed tissues showed that CDV antigens were diffusely distributed in the tissues. Histopathological observations were consistent across all CDV-positive tigers and leopards. Histopathology revealed interstitial pneumonia, interstitial nephritis, lymphoid depletion in the spleen, hepatic inflammation, degeneration of transitional epithelium in the bladder, and white matter demyelination, gliosis, and neuronal necrosis in the brain. Our findings revealed that CDV is prevalent in the big cats in central India. Therefore, it is imperative to develop multifaceted protocols to screen for such emerging infectious diseases in field samples.

The Indian Sundarbans, the world's largest littoral mangrove stretch, draws attention in scientific discourses, being an ecosystem vulnerable to global climate change and a biodiversity hotspot governed under institutionalized protected area management. The Sundarbans are well-known as the world's only coastal mangrove habitat of the man-eating Royal Bengal Tigers. This UNESCO World Heritage Site often features in media coverage and popular discourse due to a surging number of human-tiger conflicts. Whenever such incidents happen, the popular narratives project them as an outcome of community intrusion and illegality, violating the norms of reserved and protected areas. Remedial measures often call for a stricter imposition of conservation rules. This article exposes the limits of such portrayals. Introducing the conceptual framework of riskscapes, it argues that to understand the human-tiger conflict, it is necessary to explore the comprehensive risk situation and the multiple risk entanglements in the Indian Sundarbans. Through ethnographic explorations on the Gosaba block, we present the human-tiger conflict as a node to assess multiple risk imaginaries and their production, development, and mutual entanglements. Further, we demonstrate the gradual marginalization of the community in the composite impact of these plural risk imaginaries. We suggest the necessity of localized livelihood generation informed by the existing risk ensemble and anchored to local community aspirations.

The conservation of biodiversity and the balance between ecological and societal needs are critical but often contested global issues. Wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) on vital infrastructure, especially linear infrastructure, remains a persistent challenge from policy to practice and poses a serious life-threatening implication to humans and other non-human lives. Addressing this issue effectively requires solutions that provide win-win outcomes from both ecological and societal perspectives. This study critically analyzes a decade of roadkill incidents along Nepal's longest East-West national highway, which passes through a biologically diverse national park in the western Terai Arc Landscape Area (TAL). Findings are drawn from field-based primary data collection of the period 2012-2022, secondary literature review, key informant interviews, and spatial analysis. The study reveals significant variations in roadkill incidence across areas and years. Despite Bardia National Park being larger and having a higher wildlife density, Banke National Park recorded higher roadkill rates. This is attributed to insufficient mitigation measures and law enforcement, more straight highway segments, and the absence of buffer zones between the core park and adjacent forest areas-only a road separates them. Wild boars (Sus scrofa) and spotted deer (Axis axis), the primary prey of Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris), were the most frequently road-killed species. This may contribute to human-tiger conflicts, as observed in the study areas. Seasonal trends showed that reptiles were at higher risk during the wet season and mammals during winter. Hotspots were often located near checkpoints and water bodies, highlighting the need for targeted mitigation efforts such as wildlife crossings and provisioning wildlife requirements such as water, grassland, and shelter away from the regular traffic roads. Roadkill frequency was also influenced by forest cover and time of day, with more incidents occurring at dawn and dusk when most of the herbivores become more active in search of food, shelter, water, and their herds. The findings underscore the importance of road characteristics, animal behavior, and landscape features in roadkill occurrences. Effective mitigation strategies include wildlife crossings, speed limits, warning signs, and public education campaigns. Further research is needed to understand the factors in driving variations between parks and to assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures.

Microplastic contamination in threatened wild felids of India: Understanding environmental uptake, feeding implications, and associated risks.

This article discusses Nepal's rich biodiversity and its importance for ecosystem health, local livelihoods, and economic development. Nepal's biodiversity is exceptionally rich and diverse, hosting over 6,000 species of flowering plants and a wide array of fauna, including iconic species such as the Bengal tiger and snow leopard. Despite its significance, Nepal's biodiversity faces threats from habitat loss, poaching, climate change, and inadequate funding. Conservation efforts, including protected areas and community forestry, play a crucial role in safeguarding Nepal's biodiversity and supporting local economies. Biodiversity conservation in Nepal provides economic benefits through agriculture, tourism, and pharmaceuticals. Policy and institutional frameworks have been developed to promote biodiversity conservation, but challenges remain in implementation. Opportunities exist to enhance conservation efforts through sustainable agriculture, expanding protected areas, and strengthening community-based conservation initiatives. Preserving Nepal's biodiversity is vital for ecosystem health, local livelihoods, and sustainable development.

The conservation of Siberian tigers, the apex predators in the Asia-Pacific region, hinges on a thorough understanding of their physiological statuses and adaptive mechanisms. In order to fill a critical gap in our knowledge of this endangered species, we conducted comprehensive analyses of Siberian tiger whole blood and serum using modern hematology and biochemical analyzers. The blood samples were collected from subadult (2-3 years old) Siberian tigers (n = 15 for hematological analysis and n = 7 for biochemical analysis). In the present study, distinct hematological patterns including an elevated mean platelet volume (MPV) and a higher red cell distribution width coefficient of variation (RDW-CV) were observed, which were possibly triggered by pre-anesthesia resistance movements. Notably, the neutrophil percentage in Siberian tigers was found to be significantly higher than that in domestic cats and Bengal tigers, suggesting species-specific immune adaptations. In addition, serum biochemical analysis provided refined parameter ranges for subadult tigers. Unlike previous studies encompassing a broader age range, our data specifically characterize biochemical profiles in subadult tigers, offering vital baselines for health monitoring and conservation strategies. These results not only enhance our understanding of the biology of Siberian tigers but also provide scientific support for targeted conservation efforts, fostering population recovery and ecological balance in their natural habitats.

Abstract This story captures the tensions observed during multiple tiger safaris conducted as part of my fieldwork in a central Indian Tiger Reserve. Through the perspective of the reserve's first female guide, it brings to life the inequities in wildlife conservation in India, where the burden of protecting biodiversity disproportionately falls on marginalized forest‐dwelling communities. The story explores how fortress conservation—a model that seeks to create human‐free spaces by displacing communities—impacts these groups and how tourism further exacerbates these inequities. Blending insights from anthropological debates on non‐human lives with lived experiences, the story highlights how community members must reconcile cultural and emotional connections to animals with the pressures of commercializing those relationships. Access to the field offered a behind‐the‐scenes view of safaris, revealing the demands placed on guides, from meeting tourists' increasingly extravagant expectations to the pressures of ensuring tiger sightings. While inspired by my fieldwork and academic research, this fictional narrative draws on collective experiences and is not based on any individual.

The Western media has produced Arab Muslim identities according to political circumstances leading to simplified generalizations about this community (Said, 1978). Modern United States theatre now provides platforms for complex representations that undermine mainstream perceptions of Arab Muslims. This study analyzes how Arab Muslims are portrayed in modern theatre through a critical evaluation of Scorched. A postcolonial analysis based on Said’s Orientalism (1978) and Bhabha’s theory of hybridity (1994) helps this study explore how these theatre productions counter-simplified portrayals by presenting multifaceted representations of Arab Muslim identity. War experiences displacement and memory function as the main focus points in the analysis when using Trauma theory (Caruth, 1996) and performance studies (Schechner, 2013). The Siege depicts the Palestinian battle against occupation (Abu-Manneh, 2016). The author uses both comic elements and dreamlike qualities in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo to portray war's irrationality (Carlson, 2001). Aftermath uses the testimonies of Iraqi refugees to show their human side by enhancing their voice presence (Blank & Jensen, 2010). This research expands the understanding of Arab Muslim portrayal in American theatre while showing theatre as a mechanism to evaluate politics and build cross-cultural understanding (Hughes, 2016).

In order to optimize diets for Bengal tiger cubs and improve their health condition and survival rates, we conducted microbiota and metabolomics analyses on fecal samples from Bengal tiger cubs fed goat and dog milk replacer formulae. The results showed that there were significant differences in fecal microorganisms and metabolites between the two groups. At the phylum level, the major components of the microbial composition in the feces of cubs were Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota and Fusobacteriota. In addition, the abundance of gut microbiota varied significantly between the two groups of tiger cubs. The fecal microbiota of the tiger cubs fed dog milk replacer powder exhibited an increase in probiotic bacteria (Anaerostipes and Clostridium_scindens) (p < 0.05), and the microbial community tended to be more balanced. Metabolomics data further elucidated that feeding different milk formulae significantly affected the fecal metabolites and metabolic pathways in the Bengal tiger cubs. In the dog milk replacer powder group, 76 metabolites were up-regulated (p < 0.05), and 278 metabolites were down-regulated (p < 0.05), particularly affecting the metabolism of vitamin D3, vitamin B5, isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine and oleic acid. At the same time, 19 metabolic pathways were affected (p < 0.05), including the amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and nucleotide metabolism pathways. In conclusion, this study confirms that milk formula composition affects the gut microbiota and metabolism of Bengal tiger cubs. These findings may provide new insights into how different milk powder formulae and dietary strategies influence the regulation of gut microbiota and overall health in Bengal tiger cubs.

Zoonotic risks and conservation challenges: Gastrointestinal parasites in wild mammals of Chitwan National Park, Nepal.