Saiga Antelope| weird nose of Saiga | Saiga of central Asia | Endangered Saiga Antelope

The flora and fauna in today’s world are facing severe threats due to rapid urbanization and industrialization to fulfill the ever-increasing demand. As a result, we have seen in the past a long list of plants and animals species that have become extinct or are on the verge of extinction but can we say the same for the kingdom of antelopes in the animal world. 

Saiga antelope in the wild      Image Source-  Google | Image by -  Flickr

We have always seen herds of different species of antelopes grazing in the grasslands in Africa or the dense tropical forests of Asia and it seems that they are surviving and thriving in large numbers despite several challenges but there are around 96 species of antelopes in the world most of which are facing the threat of extinction in the future. Of all these one of the weirdest and unusual is the Saiga Antelope.

Characteristics and Behaviour 

Saiga antelope has the most unique nose among all the antelopes which is somewhat like an "Elephant seal". Saiga has a large bulbous nose which helps it to sustain in the harsh climate. In the summers during scorching heat outside in an arid dusty environment, this nose filters down incoming air which helps to regulate temperatures and during extreme winters this nose does not allow the cold air to be inhaled directly. The rest of the body is similar to other antelopes with males having huge horns and colour of the fur is from brown to yellow. However, living in a harsh climate these can travel up to distances of 70 miles. 

These are usually found in herds of around 40-50 individuals which protect them from natural predators. Their body is adapted to harsh summers and extreme winters. 

Habitat and Diet 

Saiga antelope is mostly found in the region of Central Asia such as Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and certain regions of Russia. These are mostly found in the semi-arid and dry regions of grassland where they are grazing most of the day. 

Saiga mother with calf        Image Source-  Google | Image by -  Flickr

These are herbivores eating every vegetation available such as grass, Cyprus, shrubs, and even some plants which are poisonous to other animals. 

Conservation 

Saiga antelope is declared as a critically endangered species by IUCN and if not protected, these will become extinct in near future. The main reason behind the rapid decrease in population is poaching activities. Horns and bones of Saiga are used in certain Chinese medicine which has caused excessive poaching activities in the region. Furthermore, the need for protecting the antelope was not considered a priority before but later it was found that Saiga antelope is an important part of the ecosystem of the region. 

Shoebill Stork| Dinosaur bird | Prehistoric Era bird of Uganda| Most intimidating shoebill Stork 

The Shoebill Stork, also known as the “Dinosaur Bird” is a large intimidating bird standing at 5 feet tall resembling the giant birds existing during the dinosaur era. These may terrify by their appearance standing almost still starring with their large eyes but these cause no harm to humans and are one most popular birds among the researchers. 

Shoebill Stork looks like a prehistoric bird Image Source-  Google | Image by -  Pixabay

Characteristics and Behaviour 

Shoebill Stork is a goofy kind of bird from the family of  Ciconiidae. The research and the DNA are closely related to pelicans. Shoebill Stork is found in Eastern tropical African countries like Zambia, Sudan, etc. These are 5 feet tall creatures with wingspan spreading to 8 feet in length. Shoebill weighs around 4 to 6 kg in weight depending on male or female as males are usually heavier. These were very popular among the early Egyptians as these can be found in their arts and inscriptions. 

Shoebill has a large clog-shaped bill with a hook at the end. The entire body is deep grey coloured even the legs and larges eyes which help to prey over the fishes. Large legs assist in hunting in the swampy lands. These even having large wings fly for only short distances. The most unique feature about the shoebill is its large hollow sound like a “machine gun”. 

Habitat and Diet 

Shoebill is mostly found in the swampy regions in the eastern African region where they can be sighted preying on the banks of rivers and lakes. These stand almost still in the muddy water waiting for a fish to come close by and then that giant bill comes in handy where they immediately grab the fish and swallow the whole fish at once. 

Shoebill Stock in captivity Image Source-  Google | Image by -  Pixabay

These almost all kinds of fish especially the lungfish which can fit in their mouth along with some turtles and even small crocodiles. These birds have a huge appetite when it comes to food. 

Conservation 

According to estimate, there are only five to seven thousand wild Shoebills left in the wild and only around 150 to 180 pairs left in the region of Uganda. Several steps are being taken for conservation such as the designation of the Mabamba wetland region as centre for conservation of all migratory birds in the region wherein development changes to the ecosystem have been checked to prevent any sort of ecological destruction. 

Shoebill has been declared endangered by IUCN Image Source-  Google | Image by - Flickr

Various summits and conferences are being held every year to monitor the results of conservation programs and to suggest and implement new innovative ideas to protect the species. 

Shoebill Stork| Dinosaur bird | Prehistoric Era bird of Uganda| Most intimidating shoebill Stork 

Okapi | Forest Giraffe| Republic of Congo| Okapi with zebra stripped legs | Wildlife of Dominica 

A majestic creature living in the dense rainforest of Congo may confuse you between a Giraffe and a Zebra but it is a relative of the Giraffe family known as Okapi. While the name is unusual but the animal is itself is one of the most unusual creatures in the world which looks like a cross between a Zebra and a Giraffe.

Okapi or "The Forest Giraffe"   Image Source-  Google | Image by -  Snappy Goat

Okapi or "The forest Girrafe" is a mammal found in the Ituri Forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo and it is the only place left in the world where this amazing creature can be sighted. Although these are present today in very small numbers and have been declared as one of the “ Endangered Species”, still a small population is present in the wild which is being protected today. 

Characteristics and Behaviour 

Okapi is a hoofed mammal similar to a giraffe. It is around 8 feet in length and about 6 to 6.5 feet shoulder height. The weight is around 200 to 250 kilograms. It has a dark chestnut brown colour oily thick coat which helps to keep the coat dry in the humid rain forest. It has horizontal stripes like a zebra on its upper legs which helps in camouflage against any predator. The tail is around 15 to 17 inches in length. 

Okapi in captivity Image Source-  Google | Image by -  Pixabay

It has a blue/black long tongue which helps eat buds and leaves from trees. The lower legs are white and it has a black muzzle with a long neck. 

These have short skin-covered horns which are more dominant in males. These have large ears to detect any kind of threat such as a leopard. This is one of the few animals that can touch its ear with its tongue. 

Habitat and Diet 

These solitary creatures mostly prefer less dense areas of rainforest such as well-trodden path and group of generally mother and offspring is found roaming. 

Okapi with offspring Image Source-  Google | Image by -  Flickr

These wander around in very large areas because of which this species is facing the threat of extinction due to the loss of suitable areas as a result of development. 

Its diet is mostly plant-based such as fruits, ferns, buds, grass, etc. Its diet is supplemented by charcoal of burnt trees and clay in the waters of nearby rivers which fulfill its mineral and salt requirement.

Conservation 

Okapi Conservation Project was established to protect the species from extinction as a last five thousand are left in the wild which are still facing threats such as habitat loss, poaching and natural predator which is mostly leopard. The IUCN has listed the species as “Endangered” and the Institute in Congo for Conservation of Nature along with local authorities are trying their best to protect the species by aligning forest rangers and patrols and awareness among the locals explaining the importance of biodiversity of the region.

Okapi | Forest Giraffe| Republic of Congo| Okapi with zebra stripped legs | Wildlife of Dominica 

Maned Wolf| Wolf having fox face, dog body and deer legs| South America's largest wolf 

One would quite be amazed looking at this magical creature in the wild which seems to be a dog-like creature but with characteristics and appearance similar to other animals such as a fox and a deer. The Maned Wolf or Chrysocyon brachyurous is the largest canine in South America with a large body and long slender legs like those of a deer and perhaps the most striking feature is the “roar-bark”. 

Although these are considered to be wolves, still their DNA and physical characteristics are quite close to the other members of the canine family. Maned wolves are left in quite a few numbers in the wild mainly due to habitat loss, road accidents, diseases from domestic animals, and worst is being killed by humans who consider these as threats to their livestock.

Distribution and Features 

Maned wolves are found in the Southern region of the American Continent. These were once found in the entire continent but due to habitat loss and the constant struggle for their survival, these are now found only in regions of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguayan, and some regions of Argentina. 

The most numbers around 90 percent of the individuals are found in Cerrado- savanna of Brazil and some in Pampas of Peru as well. These prefer to live in areas ranging from  45 to 100 square kilometers where there are grassland and shrubs.

Long slender body of Maned Wolf Image Source-  Google | Image by -  Pixabay

Maned wolf reaches from 92 to 115 centimeters in body length with height around 90 centimeters and weight ranging from 25 to 36 kilograms. It has a golden red to orange colour dense hair on its mane and its leg and snout are black. Its tail comprises of a whitish tuft and a white spot under the throat. It has long slender legs like those of a deer to facilitate its swift movement through bushy grasslands. 

Behaviour and Diet 

Maned wolf does not live in packs and prefers to be alone other than the mating period when a male and female team up until the end of the breeding season. These are nocturnal creatures and these are active mostly during dusk and dawn. The Maned wolf has an excellent sense of smell and its long fox ears which are its main weapons during a hunt. 

These characteristics assist them in hunting in open grasslands where their prey may be present deep inside a burrow. Not only a hunt but these can eat anything that can fit in their mouth and are also scavengers of the Cerrado plains. 

Maned wolf in zoo  Image Source-  Google | Image by - Wikimedia

These are opportunist hunters and eat according to the availability of food in the region. Maned wolf diet includes fruits and seeds, small insects and mammals, eggs and rodents, and even bigger animals such as Deer, Emus, and foxes which is a very rare sight. These also wander around the human habitation in search of food and often scavenge on the leftover. 

Lobeira, an important tree for this maned wolf as it bears fruit throughout the year, provides food for the Maned wolf and these become seed bearers for this tree thus completing the cycle. 

Conservation 

The IUCN has considered the Maned wolf as “nearly threatened” as its numbers have significantly fallen in recent years because of habitat loss and urbanization. These are being killed by humans in conflicts and these hunt on small prey and sometimes livestock. 

Rapid agricultural activities wherein modern chemicals and fertilizers are being used also harm these when coming in contact with them. Road accidents and tougher competition from other inmates of the area such as jaguars are making the situation more difficult. 

However various organizations and government efforts are trying to resolve the situation. The local people are being made aware of the importance of these beautiful creatures in their ecosystem and the ideology of Eco-tourism is being incorporated to protect Maned Wolf and wildlife in the region.

Maned Wolf| Wolf having fox face, dog body and deer legs| South America's largest wolf 

How to keep cichlids in a community tank| How to care for cichlids| African and South American cichlids

The Cichlid community of fish is probably one of the most popular fish breeds in the aquarium hobby. Whether it be African cichlids with more vibrant colours or huge cichlids from the South American region, both have their personality and presence, and watching these amazing fishes in aquariums resembling their natural habitats is just amazing.

Convict Cichlids Image Source-  Google | Image by - Common Wikimedia

Cichlids come in all sorts of colours, shapes, and sizes. Normally cichlids are considered quite hardy and easy-going but do not be mistaken as some cichlids can be very challenging to keep and it could turn out to be a nightmare if you do not take good care of them. 

Having a cichlid community tank is another challenge as some of them are so aggressive that your tank could soon turn into a battleground. Although I would not recommend cichlid to a beginner who has never kept a fish as each of the cichlid fishes have unique requirements of their own. Still if one decides to set up his first cichlid tank, here are some of the most important key points which a hobbyist has to consider before even thinking of getting cichlids from a breeder or pet shop.

Mbuna Cichlid Image Source-  Google | Image by -  Pixabay

Cichlid- The Breed 

There are around 1800 different varieties of cichlids and more are being discovered every year. Each of these has unique traits, appearance, and behaviour and so is their requirement to live in an artificial environment such as an aquarium. One has to be very specific while choosing the breed as some are difficult to keep and breed especially breeds like discuss which can only thrive in suitable habitat. 

Yellow Regal Peacock Cichlid Image Source-  Google | Image by - Pixabay

Also if these are kept in a community tank with other cichlids, our aquarium could turn into a battleground as these are quite aggressive and also disturb the aquascaping. A few of the most popular breeds of cichlids are Oscars, Convict, Angel, Flowerhorn, Discuss, Firemouth, Green terror, Jaguar cichlid, Texas, and other African cichlids.

Tank Size 

Apart from Dwarf cichlid, most of the cichlids grow to quite a huge size some even reaching more than 12 inches in length, so having a large aquarium would be very much needed which should be atleast 4 foot in length. A thumb rule of keeping cichlids is that 55 gallons are needed at least to house 10-12 fishes. 

Image Source-  Google | Image by - Pixabay

Furthermore the aquascaping should be such that it should not have any sharp edges and corners as these tend to explore their surroundings and would also disturb or uproot plants if kept in a planted tank, so it would not be a good idea to keep these in a planted aquarium. 

Water parameter and Filtration 

Cichlids are mostly tropic fish and would thrive in a warm environment, so having temperatures between 24- 28 degrees Celcius is considered optimum for cichlids, and choose a 5-watt heater for each gallon of water to maintain temperature if needed. 

For efficient filtration, the most important aspect is that the entire volume of water in the tank should be filtered 5 times an hour. Like if one has a 5 gallon of water in the tank, so the filtration should be able to circulate 25 gallons of filtered water in an hour for better results and better water quality. The absence of proper filtration can lead to ammonia build up in the water which could also be fatal for the fish if left unchecked.

Cichlid – feeding 

While there is a huge list of commercial fish food available in the market and some claim to be especially prepared for cichlids, but one should always look for the ingredients present in these. These fish food alongwith some nutrients such as protein, also have some chemical components which may be harmful to the fish. 

Frontosa Cichlid Image Source-  Google | Image by - Pixabay

To be on the safer side and to give the best nutrition to cichlids, various homemade food options are available and easy to prepare which are very beneficial for cichlids. Some of these are prawns, bloodworms, veggies such as lettuce and peas, soya chunks, and many more. 

Not only the type of food but also the method of feeding the fish determine its health. One should always feed the amount of food to fish which it can finish in a few minutes and should not overfeed as the leftover food in water will deplete the water parameters.

How to keep cichlids in a community tank| How to care for cichlids| African and South American cichlids

 Mudhol hound or Caravan hound | Rajapalayam dog| BSF and police now training Indian dog breeds

Dogs have been an important part of our lives for ages whether they be used as working dogs or just for companionship. In today's world, these furry friends have become a more integral part of our lives and dogs are now being used in wide aspects such as search and rescue operations, sniffer to catch criminal activities, protection, and military dogs and even some are being trained to detect symptoms of diseases such as cancer in humans.

When it comes to military applications breeds such as german shepherds, Belgian malinois and Dobermans are quite popular because of there supreme agility, hunting instincts, powerful jaws, and the tendency not to give up easily makes them perfect for military operations. 

But recently amazing news came from Border Security Force of India(BSF), an elite force responsible for protecting its borders on the eastern and western region, has started trials for the training of two Indian dog breeds coming from the Indian hound community of dogs are Rajapalayam and Mudhol hounds found in the southern region of India.

Although these breeds have never been used in such applications before and these being not so popular as pets have become quite rare as there are not so many breeders in the country having the original bloodline, these breeds are now being considered suitable for many reasons. 

These being local breeds are most appropriate in Indian conditions and are less prone to diseases. Coming from the hound family, their long slender body gives them agility and these can run easily at 55-60 km/hr. Rajapalayam and Mudhol hound are both short-coated and being a hound these are always ready to work and please their masters, so training these is also not very difficult. 

These factors make grooming and training easy. The most striking feature of these breeds is their sense of smell which is very much needed in a military dog used at border patrols and security. BSF is now looking for use of these breeds in bomb squads, patrolling, and even as police dogs to catch criminals. According to BSF officials, if such trials are considered successful, they would be going forward with other Indian breeds as well.

Mudhol hound - the breed

                                                    

Mudhol Hound or Caravan Hound  Image Source-  Google | Image by - Common Wikimedia

                                                

Mudhol Hound is close to Greyhound  Image Source-  Google | Image by -Pixabay

It is difficult to train this breed but with proper exercise and training, these can turn out to be very useful in military and police units. The breed is close to the greyhound and in general, is quite healthy with very few health issues. The breed, in general, is large with fawn and mix coat colours. These have a short and dense coat so grooming is not an issue.

Rajapalayam - the breed

                                                            

Rajapalayam  dog  Image Source-  Google | Image by - Common Wikimedia

Rajapalayam or the Indian ghost hound is a breed of dog originating in the Rajapalayam district of Tamil Nadu. It was developed as a vivacious hunter to hunter wild boar and small game. This breed of dog is facing the threat of extinction because of the loss of pure bloodline and these are not popular due to which, it is found in very small tribal areas of Tamil Nadu. 

While the government is taking necessary steps to protect the breed, various campaigns have been launched to make people aware of the breed. This breed of dog is excellent for guarding because of its large size and ferocious behaviour. This breed has a white short dense coat with a long body and generally does not have health issues. These are very loyal to their owners but can be aggressive towards strangers and other animals.

 Mudhol hound or Caravan hound | Rajapalayam dog| BSF and police now training Indian dog breeds