MailinglistClint!
Fri, 11 Feb 2005 11:57:49 -0800
The WildGoa Newsletter is a newsletter for anybody interested in News, Articles and Activities related to Nature & Wildlife in Goa. We are an 300+ online community at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/wildgoa and have been in existence for 1 1/2 years. Membership is free to everyone. Join the group if you would like to follow events going on in Goa. Have a look at the newsletter below, and if you have any feedback or would like to have the newsletter in PDF format let me know at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Have a great day! Clinton.. WildGoa Moderator -----> The WildGoa Newsletter! <----- News & Views about Goa’s Nature & Wildlife Vol. 2005.01 ************************************************************* This is the first newsletter of 2005, and as usual it’s full of wildlife news and a few articles by fellow readers. What’s surprising is that the Readers Write section is full this time as we had so many contributors! Thanks everybody, and keep writing in. For those who haven’t contributed yet, well here’s an open invitation to send in your submissions for the next newsletter which is due in March! January was an interesting wildlife month for me. I was in Kotagiri, in mid Jan where I hiked into the mountainside forests to spot some of the Nilgiri flora and fauna. Getting back to Goa, my brother Hansel and I worked on making a snake stick out of an old golf stick. He figured he needed that after rescuing his 6th snake. At the end of the month, we had the first WildGoa event, a birdwatching excursion that was attended by over 10 participants. We spotted about 45 species in the two locations visited. Having Harvey and his Spanish wife was like the old days and all in all, everybody had a good time. Harvey flies back to UK as you read this newsletter. -Clinton.. [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- What’s In This Edition! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Meeting a Wildlife Stalwart -By Nirmal Kulkarni 2. Birding at Hampi & Badami –By Vijay Mohan Raj 3. Meeting Kistu… -By Rahul Alvares 4. Crows –By Zafar Futehally 5 Social Behavior of Jungle Babblers – Madhukar B V 6. In The News (Wild News in the Local Papers) 7. Readers Write ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. Topic No. 1. Meeting a Wildlife Stalwart ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. This article by Nirmal is about one of the many wildlife stalwarts that he happened to recently meet at his perch at Widernest. -Clinton.. We watched in silence as the hunting party scurried along in the undergrowth and whisked away all that they could gather, in the wee hours of this cold December morning. With a nudge of his elbow, my partner for the day guided me across the dense thicket to reveal one wonder after another. Watching birds had never been my forte, thanks to my long cherished tryst with snakes but toady was another day. I was in the company of Nigel Marven, and we were watching a mixed hunting party of birds flush out insects and worms from the small patch of forests that was illuminated by the early morning glow of the sun. Having checked in at Wildernest, a day before with his wife Jill, Nigel made his plans clear to Ramesh at the first instance-‘I want to see birds!!’ And while I was busy with my jungle chores as usual, a small thought crossed my mind that the name seemed familiar. A small chat, an exchange of pleasantries and loads of tale swapping followed and a realization dawned upon us that we are in the privileged company of a world renowned wildlife film maker and presenter. Born in 1960, Nigel is 6’2” tall, and has an uncanny eye for detail and movement. As we conversed about the forests of the Sahyadris and its exquisite wildlife, a flutter of a movement would grasp his attention and another name would be added to the never- ending bird list that birdwatchers love to maintain out here in the wilds. Having completed his MSc, and teaching as a Reader at a University in Bristol, Nigel took to working as a researcher with Sir David Attenborough and the BBC on the series First Eden about the Mediterranean region. He continued to produce films and series for the BBC for over a decade, which included highly acclaimed ones like the Life of Birds and Incredible Journeys. Toady Nigel has his own film making company name Image Impact which produces films that are screened all over the world. It was with this background in mind that we presented our slide show on lesser -known fauna to him and other guests on the property. A few gasps, a nod or two and we knew that our work over the last 2 years had been appreciated. While every conversation began with the need for documentation and a scientific approach, it always ended with an acceptance that Indian wildlifers toady were leading the way in conservation based approaches to wildlife and environment based issues. An author of 7 books till date Nigel has also written a book on Identifying Snakes and also three books for children which include one on his career in wildlife film making and the other two on popular episodes of his series called Giant Creepie Crawlies and Animal Vampires. Birding, as I mentioned was an experience in its own in Nigels company and the list of birds included the paradise flycatcher, Malabar Whsitling thrush, Shikra,Indian Schumets Babbler,Blue Fanned Malkhoa, white cheeked woodpecker amongst others.The very ability to attract birds with short whistles and calls was a phenomenon that I had only heard of but witnessed for the first time in Nigel’s company. A jeep drive to the village of Chorla and its sacred grove yielded an extended glimpse of Jill and Nigel’s interest in anthropology and man nature relationship issues. As we filled up their knowledge with facts on key issues in the area like the man-elephant conflict and the Mahadayi diversion issue, we were treated to a fascinating explanation and approach of dealing with such topics by way of smaller presentations and documentaries for the cause of awareness and education. A sunset later, as we said adieus to Nigel and Jill and accepted assurances of their return in the monsoons, a sense of achievement reflected on our faces of having hosted a true wildlifer at heart, one who respected the little knowledge we had in all its sense and contributed to our inputs with sincerity and encouragement and appreciation. Nirmal Kulkarni can be contacted at [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. Topic No. 2. Birding at Hampi & Badami ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. Vijay Mohan Raj from neighbouring Karnataka writes about birding experiences at Hampi & Badami. Both these locations are accessible by road and rail from Goa. It takes about 6-8 hours to get there. –Clinton.. Hi! Hampi is a great place to be at this time of the year. Around Hampi the possibility of sighting the Yellow throated Bulbul is high. If you have time to spare check out the Kamalapur Tank . You need a scope here. Blue tailed bee-eater, wigeon and a host of migratory waterbirds are possible. Further you move down to the Daroji bear sanctuary. You are probably assured of a sighting of the sloth bear and the painted Spurfowl. If you are lucky you can hit upon Sandgrouse on the road towards the watchtower tread carefully. Painted Sandgrouse has been sighted here. Quails are more visible due to the drier conditions now. check out the Transmission lines on the way as the Black headed bunting and Red headed buntings are possiblities. If you have some more time check out the backwaters of the Tungabhadra near the Gunda Forest Guest House, wigeon is easily the most common wintering duck here. Focus your eyes on the expanse of water in the reservoir you could lay your eyes on Greater flamingoes and possilbe the Tufted Pocahard. Badami is poor as far as birding goes on the way common Kestrel, White-eyed buzzard is certain. Check out the hilly crags for the Peregrine falcon. Blue faced Malkoha can be encountered. Hope you get lucky and bag some more. ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. Topic No. 3. Meeting Kistu… ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. Kistu is a legend in Goa. Perhaps a little forgotten today, but 10 years ago, I remember even my school teachers used to talk about him in class with awe. Friends used to tell me that he escaped from the Aguada prison, with shackles on his feet. The jailers, they said, had pierced metal through his shins, (like a ring through a bull's nose) to keep the chains on him. Equally famous he was for living a life like a guerrilla. People said that he roamed jungles at night and not only caught, but fed on snakes as well. My interest for reptiles is inborn so it was but natural that as I grew up I began to dream of meeting him someday. Then I started catching snakes, and found that people were making up stories about me as well. That I could drink snake poison without suffering any ill effects - in case you need to know, so can you, because snake poison is only lethal in contact with blood. Or that I used mantras and so on. I began to realise for the first time that maybe all those stories about Kistu just might not be true. My desire to meet Kistu grew even stronger With the help of friends in Thivim I finally work out an appointment to meet Kistu. Seven in the evening and I find myself standing expectantly at his door. Kistu comes out in shorts looking even better than I expect him to be! His body is rippling with muscles that would make guys half his age green with envy. On broad shoulders stands an amiable head, crowned with bushy, platinum streaked hair, which merges below into a rich luxuriant beard. My heart is racing after all those stories I have heard of him, but Kistu smiles warmly and shakes my hand reassuring me. As we talk, I fire my questions at him, dying to know the answers these many years. 'Do you eat snakes?' I ask him. Kistu seems a little taken a back by this question. 'Of course not,' he replies, amused. 'I hope you don't mind,' I tell him nervously, 'but I am going to keep asking the most ridiculous questions I can come up with.' 'Fair enough,' he replies. 'It's time people knew the truth.' Turns out Kistu started catching snakes since he was ten. He lived all his life in Thivim, working mostly as a fisherman, catching the odd snake in the village when it troubled someone. 'But why in God's name are you so notorious?' I ask him, my curiosity finally getting the better of me. There is a moment of silence when Kistu considers me hesitantly, then he smiles back into his beard and says: 'I was involved in a murder case years back, but hell I won it, and that's that.' I drop that subject. I steal a glance at his shins though - his legs look as normal as mine. As I continue absorbing his features, I cannot help but notice how closely he resembles John Little from Robin Hood. I mention it to him and he laughs. Yeah sure I've seen Robin Hood, he says. Then he rattles on, the conversation apparently swung on to his favourite subject - movies!. You won't believe it, but he has seen almost all the Bond movies. Golden Gun, Live and Let Die, Thunderball, Skyrider Man and others like Enter the Dragon, Three Musketeers, to name a few. Kistu is 49, married and has three sons. He neither drinks nor smokes and by all counts could be just another ordinary nice guy. So where do I place these stories I have heard about the legendary Kistu? Are they false? Who knows - maybe true, maybe not. Kistu certainly did things like catching snakes which were not regular stuff either in his day or even today. As I leave his house I realise that people are always desperate for heroes to dream about, talk about, even be frightened of. If you are even a little out of the ordinary it's easy for tall stories to grow around you which, embellished over time, can truly make you appear larger than life. *** About the Author: Rahul Alvares is a young wildlife enthusiast, from Parra, North Goa. He can be contacted at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 2278740 ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. Topic No. 4. Crows ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. Zafar Futehally ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes a slightly controversial article about Crows, the most commonly sighted bird as a menace to long term survival other winged species. –Clinton.. The time has come for bird lovers and others to think seriously about a plan for reducing the crow population of our cities I have been walking through Lalbagh and other places and have been aghast at the cloud of crows which either zoom across from time to time , or decide to harass any other living creature not excluding their own species) A sport which they seem to like(and which fortunately is harmless ) is the attempt to drive away the pariah kites either on the wing or at rest while the kites survive the antics of the marauders ,the smaller birds suffer calamitously. How few ashy wren warblers, tailor birds, sunbirds, bulbuls, and the others which nest, not in holes like the coppersmith, but in open vegetation In his Birds of Kutch Salim Ali writing about the house crow says "There is no doubt that the House Crow is the most destructive single agency at work against the general bird-life of Kutch and calls for prompt and drastic measures of suppression. The crow must die if other interesting species are to live " In the Notification of the Birds of the Indian Empire, by Stuart Baker, Vol 1 page 19, there is a report about the Burmese House Crow in Prome. " So numerous are these crows in the large towns of Burma such as Rangoon and Prome that they have to be officially slaughtered in immense numbers, these slaughters taking place at the height of the breeding season.............it is easy enough to destroy. Nests, eggs and young with a charge of small shot” Some readers of the Newsletter for Birdwatchers may remember the note I had written about the menace of crows in Tokyo and the project of the Municipality (fairly successful) of destroying crows nests by appointing special staff for doing so Modern technology has done marvels. We need to think about a strategy for reducing crow numbers to make room for golden orioles, ioras, and bulbuls ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. Topic No. 5. Social Behavior of Jungle Babblers ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. I have seen Jungle Babblers foraging in groups. But I had never thought about their complex social behavior. Here is a fascinating fact taken from "The Lives of Birds: The Birds of the World and Their Behavior - by Lester L Short". The Jungle Babbler has been described as "awkward and gawky." While it may lack apparent grace from a physical standpoint, these small birds form a complex and stable society. In the forests, woods, ravines, and even private backyards of India, Pakistan, and Nepal, the Jungle Babbler lives its life in small groups, usually of less than twenty. Unlike the young of most species, babbler offspring stay with the group for at least eighteen months. Those who do leave at this time are generally female, with male birds staying up to four years (less if a prime male dies in a nearby group) before venturing out on their own. There is one breeding pair per community; with the help of other group members, they build an open nest, where the female lays three to five eggs. Like most birds, Jungle Babblers don't use the nest for sleeping. Rather, the members of the community line up, side by side, on the twigs or branches of a tree. At the center sit the breeding pair; two non-breeding males flank the entire group, one at each end of the line, with the fledglings squeezed into the middle of the row, where the older birds' bodies can provide warmth. As the young birds grow, they gradually assume roosting positions toward the outer end of the line, but the fledglings are never allowed at the flanks, bastions strictly reserved for second-year or adult males. The world of the Jungle Babbler is an enviable one, in which order is maintained by strong leadership and the bonds between members of the society. To further add to excerpts taken from "Popular handbook of Indian birds - Whistler", here is another excerpt taken from Lester L Short. The part that appealed the most to me is the role of the leader of the flock. Leaders do take responsibilities in their world, quite unlike us :-) Excerpts: Dominant birds usually are the first to feed, drink, bathe, and do everything else, while the subordinates are weaker, younger, or smaller birds who wait their turn. It seems to us, though, as if the Jungle Babblers' society is built around merit. The highest-ranking members in this society are the breeding pair, which appears to be the most competent, the hardest working, and are usually the oldest. When clumped together on their perch, Jungle Babblers often preen or groom their companions. The two breeding adults of the community are the most active preeners and their efforts are most often directed toward the younger birds, most of which are their progeny. A breeding adult - more often the male - is the leader on foraging trips, followed by other adults, and finally the younger birds. While the group forages, a sentinel perches several yards away, keeping watch for predators. After a while, the sentinel may be relieved by another bird who assumes the task. In five out of six cases, the sentinel is a member of the breeding pair; in other species, the sentinel is an experienced adult, but not one of the pair. The main aggression in Jungle Babbler society is displayed by the younger members, presumably because they have to secure their place in the group. Young babblers have been observed "playing" by staging mock fights, displays in which a bird lies on the ground while others roll on top of it or gently peck at it. During their first year, babblers may be seen chasing one another, fighting over food, and generally disrupting the group. Yet within a few months these birds have left their wild ways behind and become cooperative adults. Overt conflict ordinarily does not occur among adult members of a Jungle Babbler community. Whether accepting the succession of a new leader, should the breeding male die, or sharing food during times of scarcity, these strange birds have learned through centuries of evolution how to get along with members of their group. About the Author: Madhukar B V resides in Bangalore and is a member of the Bangalore Birds e-group. He can be contacted [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. Topic No. 6. In The News (Wild News in the Local Papers) ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. For those who are reading this newsletter for the first time, 'In The News' is a regular feature of this newsletter which reports on all the Wildlife & Nature Related articles that appear on the Local Newspapers. This includes news reports, announcements and articles. You can use this as a index to all the wildlife related news in Goa as the newspaper and date of publication is also mentioned so you could go back to the pile of newspapers in the corner and hunt for the article you would like to read in detail! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- HIGHEST PEAK OF GOA: Sosodurg or Sosogad in Sattari stands tall as the highest peak of Goa in the Sahyadri range. Half of it is in Karnataka. Sosodurg is a great asset of our natural heritage. At the foot of this great peak flow the majestic Mhadei, having her origins in the Degao village of Karnataka. Sosogad forms a beautiful part of Mhadei Valley of Sattari. The height of the Sosogad is 3,827 feet and 1019 metres. The height in metres was measured by wildlife expert Nirmal Kulkarni, director of the Wildernest. The second highest Sahyadri or Western Ghats peak in Goa also lies in Sattari. It is known as the Katlanchi Malli with a height of 3,633 feet.- Prajal Sakhardande in Panorama-Navhind Times, 1st January 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- BUFFALO ELECTROCUTED: A buffalo was electrocuted on Friday when it came in contact with a live wire that snapped from the main line and was lying in the field at Poinguinim. -Herald, 2nd January 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TURTLES RELEASED: As many as 160 baby turtles have been released from two turtle nests at Galgibaga beach out of the four turtle nests protected by the Forest Department (Wild Life), Canacona, since October 2004. -Herald, 4th January 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TSUNAMI HITS TURTLES: Morjim is feared to be one of the four worst affected nesting sites with almost 50 per cent of the hatchlings reported either dead or deformed. -Herald, 7th January 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- BABY TURTLES RELEASED: Around180 baby turtles were released off the Galgibag coastline last week, according to information provide by Canacona Range Forest Officer Paresh Parab. In October last year, four nests at Galgibaga were located and protected, out of which eggs in two of the nests hatched. Apart from Galgibag, such nests are also located at Agonda. Unlike in the past when locals used to feast on these eggs, awareness about the conversation of these species seems to have dawned on them, thanks to the efforts of these officials. -Gomantak Times, 10th January 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIRE DESTROYS TWO WWF GALLERIES: A major fire at Goa State Museum on January 11th afternoon has totally destroyed two galleries set up by the World Wildlife Fund. However, all antique items, paintings and other property of the museum are safe. The WWF had setup two galleries as part of creating awareness among students about the natural heritage of Goa and as such had models and dioramas depicting environmental aspects placed in a natural heritage gallery, which were completely destroyed in the fire. A batch of 40 students form Kudal, Maharashtra, had left the gallery some 20 minutes before the fire broke out. -Herald, 12th January 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOA'S VULNERABLE COASTAL ZONE: Goa's coastline has an interesting geological and sedimentological history. To elucidate, the Salcete coastline, Campal, Miramar, Caranzalem's estuarine coastline is also fairly young. The Salcete coastline is linear and shows an emergent profile. Goa's coastline and the mouths of the estuaries had a dual defense system. It included the sand dunes and the mangroves. The coconut plantations acted as windbreaks and also trapped a lot of sand. Silica sand mining in north and south Goa destroyed most of the big sand dunes. The saline sand was used to adulterate the alluvial sand mined from rivers. -Nandkumar Kamat in Navhind Times, 12th January 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MHADEI VALLEY IN DANGER: One of the 25 biological hotspots in the world, which is located close to the state border with Karnataka and is also the source of Goa's lifeline, is being threatened by illegal mining and tree-felling. Environmentalists are worried about the increasing human intervention in this area, which they have been campaigning to be declared as Sahyadri Ecologically Sensitive Area as this is not only the originating point of River Mandovi but has also been considered one of the finest rainforests in the country with a rich variety of flora and fauna. -Paul Fernandes in Gomantak Times, 19th January 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP: Whether it is the Ramponkar, Magkar, Kantaikar, Pagelkar or Arrikar, the depleting stock of fish in Goan waters has the state's entire traditional community worried stiff. "The amount of fish we net is becoming lesser by the day. In 1970 the catch used to be so bountiful, that we sold a cartful of mackerels for just Rs.10. Each cart would hold about 3000 mackerels," informs Caridade Mascarenhas from Morjim. "Even the quality of the fish is pathetic. Nowadays we only get sardines, mackerels and rarely some prawns." -Alister Miranda in Gomantak times, 21st January 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- FORGOTTEN HERO: Eleven years ago, on 23 January 1933, a young Nilesh Naik fell to the bullets fired by a police officer at Savoi-Verem. It was the result of his sacrifice that this entire belt comprising of spice plantations and natural greenery was saved from near extinction sine the proposed Nylon 6.6 project at Savoi-Verem had the potential of causing untold destruction to the environment here. -Oswald Soares in Gomantak Times, 25th January 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PANTHER TRAPPED: A rare Black Panther was trapped in Poinguinim forest after it was spotted in the nearby villages. Forest officials not plan to retain the animal instead of the usual release into the forest as they plan to hand over the rare animal to Bondla Zoo -Herald, 5th February 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SNAKE SCARE COPS: Two cops at Polem, Canacona came across a snake on the road at Karmalghat which happened to coil itself around the wheel when they stopped to get a closer look. As they were unable to identify the species, the unfortunate reptile was beaten to death by a the cops and a passer by -Gomantak Times, 7th February 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SALCETTE LAKES & RIVERS IN TROUBLE: Lakes & Rivers in Salcette face the serious menace of water hyacinth & Salvinia. Worst affected are Sal and Selaulim Rivers as water tables lowered and surfaces have been completely covered by the weed. The Agriculture & Panchayat offices have been unsuccessful in containing this weed that grows at an alarming rate. Experts say that Salvinia weed is an import from Kerala & Tamil Nadu while Hyacinth is traced from the US -Gomantak Times, 7th February 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- News Articles Selected & Complied By: Joel D’Souza & Clinton Vaz. Get in touch with Joel at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and Clinton at [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. Topic No. 7. Readers Write ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. Here’s some space to say your say….so even if you cannot write an article, or a event, you can still say a few words at WildGoa’s Readers Write ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hubert Saldanha & his daughters ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) are WildGoa event regulars, making it for almost all the outdoor events. He cold not make it this time but sent his regrets instead: Hi Clinton, It is great to hear that you have organised this birding trip to Porvorim, Pilerne & Saligao. Regretably my daughters & I will not be able to make it due to they having school. We vividly remember the Paradise Flycathcher, Racket- tailed drongos & Brown wood owls at Saligao. One hope they are still there to spot. All the best. We hope to be there on your next trip. -Hubert Saldanha. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark McCafferty ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), from cold Scotland, had the following to say about our last newsletter!: Hey Clinton, Excellent Newsletter, just what I needed on a cold wintery night. Thanks! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rajiv D’Silva, ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) one of the first of Goa’s WildGoans has a few pictures to share of the ornithologist workshop which was organized by WildGoa a few years ago on his yahoo photo album. You can check it out at http://in.photos.yahoo.com/rojebus ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Godfrey J I Gonsalves, ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), from a Margao, Goa writes about one of the World's Bio-Diversity hotspots here in Goa –The Western Ghats The Western Ghats have been designated as one of the worlds 18 bio diversity hotspots. It is a chain of hills extending over 1600 kms along the West Coast of Peninsular India, housing one of the richest assemblages of flora and fauna on earth. To make it to this destination and enjoy the thrill of nature and its biodiversity visit at Khanapur Belgaum Karnataka just two and half hours from Goa border with Belgaum Visit www.theheritageguesthouse.com or contact +91 (0) 948157624 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prashant Maurya, another WildGoan from Margao, Goa writes: Do check my site too for some of my trips that I made...! http://travel.vsnl.com/visit_india or contact+91-(832)-2713421 or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I recently came across this yahoogroup on the internet that is related to Turtles in Goa! –Clinton.. ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Morjims-Olive-Ridleys Turtles: Morjim, a village in northern Goa came into focus for its spirited and inspired fight for its turtle, its beach, its serenity and its people. Today more than ever it is under threat. This e mail group is to serve as an active platform for people who are concerned and have been involved with Morjim and in similar struggles. To subscribe, send an e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balachandran, ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) gives us a usefull tip on a birding guied after his return from a holiday in Sikkim, India: During our trekking trip to Dzongri last december, we were accompanied by a guide by name Thupten Tsering who was thoroughly knowledgable abt the terrain and with limited knowledge on birding. Possibly being a local, he could give some lead for you. His contact details are: Thupten Tsering, Kyitsel House, Below Shere Punjab Hotel, Arithang Road, Gangtok, Sikkim, India. E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ph: +91-03592-229501 (R), +91-03592-226050 (O), +91-9434-169278 (Mobile) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fausto Dias, ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) a reader writes an open letter to us WildGoans about Stray Dogs: If your concern for animals extends to animals other than frogs please visit the Se cathedral gardens. In front of the old Archbishop's palace you will find a bitch, who is lame, with a litter of six. If you look around, both at Se and at the Basilica and adjoining areas you will find a many dogs/bitches suffering from various ailments. I a not aware if the area is a dumping ground for canines but the heritage area has a very large population of strays. And in case you want to adopt a stray who has known a mother only for a couple of weeks after it was born (the mother died) and is now about 6 months old please let me know. His (i.e. the dog's) brother died a couple of weeks ago of some ailment inspite of I having driven him to Panjim (and I dislike driving to Panjim, besides not being able to afford it, but to please the better half......!). There was no Doc or any competent person at PAWS as it was election day, and we were informed that the dog had died before he could meet the Vet! I am not particularly fond of animals, specially strays. However, I feel sad seeing the suffering of some of these animals, not always man-inflicted. I also feel sad for the humans who sometimes have to suffer due to the stray animals. However, I appreciate your efforts to protect endangered species. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Akshay Raghunandan, ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) shares a funny joke with the group on how a Lion should be caught. Newton's Method: Let, the lion catch you. For every action there is equal and opposite reaction. Implies you caught lion. Einstein Method: Run in the direction opposite to that of the lion. Due to higher relative velocity, the lion will also run faster and will get tired soon. Now you can trap it easily. Software Engineer Method: Catch a cat and claim that your testing has proven that its a Lion. If anyone comes back with issues tell that you will upgrade it to Lion. Indian Police Method: Catch any animal and interrogate it & torture it to accept that its a lion. Jayalalitha Method: Send Police commissioner Muthukaruppan around 2AM and kill it, while it's sleeping ! Yash Chopra method : Take the lion to Australia or US.. and kill it in a good scenic location. Govinda method: Continuously dance before the lion for 5 or 6 days. Menaka Gandhi method: Save the lion from a danger and feed him with some vegetables continuously. George bush method: Link the lion with osama bin laden and shoot him!!! Ravi Shastri method: Ask the lion to bowl at u. U bat for 200 balls and score 1 run. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you would like to say a few words, narrate a Wild experience or perhaps just ask a question in our next newsletter, simply mail it to [EMAIL PROTECTED] *************************************************** * END OF NEWSLETTER * ************************************************** To submit articles to this newsletter, e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] Compiled and circulated by Clinton Vaz for WildGoa at http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/wildgoa To Join WildGoa, send a blank mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ************************************************** -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.6 - Release Date: 2/7/2005