Bhopal, Jan 21: It will be a misnomer to call 2004 Tiger census a census as the right word for it would be estimation or enumeration. Later in the year 2006 Wildlife Institute of India (WII) developed new technique and found new method of estimation of tiger population which is more accurate.

KENDRAPARA: The forest and wildlife officials are taking help of GPS (Global Positioning System) to count the crocodiles during the week-long annual salt-water crocodile census in the rivers, creeks and other water bodies within the Bhitarkanika National Park. The census, which began on January 12, will continue till January 18.

Far from its native habitat in Australia, the flightless Emu is leaving its footprint across the plains of India, with an increasing number of farmers commercially rearing the ostrich-size bird.

SRINAGAR, Jan 11: Following the ringing of alarm bells about the sharp decline in the number of Kashmir Stag or Hangul, the state government has kick-started its "Save Hangul" project-a long-term captive breeding programme.

Ahmedabad: Much excitement was generated when a pair of Great Indian Bustards was sighted in Little Rann of Kutch near Tundi talav, Bajana in May 2008. The sighting of the endangered species suggests that if provided suitable grassland habitat, the bustard could stay.

In order to chalk out a uniform policy with regard to the management of the zoos, all the zoos in the country have been asked to prepare an action plan by March 31, said Meera Saxena, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Forests, Environment and Ecology and Chairperson, Zoo Authority of Karnataka.

STRAYING FOR A CAUSE

Lucknow: The incident of a young tiger venturing out of Pilibhit forest has been a blessing in disguise for the wildlife of Uttar Pradesh. The tiger, it seems, has walked 300 kms away from its natural habitat for a cause

Chandigarh: Despite a ban, the use of diclofenac, a pain relief anti-inflammatory livestock treatment, has been something bothering environmentalists the world over. The Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre near here will soon make use of a sophisticated machine that has been designed to detect any traces of banned livestock drug diclofenac in cattle carcasses fed to vultures in captivity.

KENDRAPARA: The nesting ground of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, Gahiramatha beach in Kendrapara district, is littered with 1,343 dead turtles. Another nesting site at the Devi beach in Puri district too is infested with about 2,000 dead turtles.

The authors refer to the correspondence on the use of tiger farms for conservation by Xavier. There seems to be an over-simplification of several points raised about the management of tiger farms and other issues related to tiger conservation. In the following discussion, the terms

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