The phrase 'wild goose chase', attributed to Shakespeare, refers to the pursuit of something unattainable compared poetically to the elusiveness of wild geese. Trust us Kashmiri's to put our own spin on things and end up on a 'Wild Owl Chase'. If recent news reports are to be believed, an unknown person is offering a Rs. 30 lakh [approx 70,000 USD] reward for the capture of a 3-kilogram owl in Kashmir.

The Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) is a large owl classified as a locally common resident in Kashmir. Adults may weigh around 3 kgs. The Tawny Fish Owl (Ketupa flavipes) is an uncommon species slightly larger than the former. These are the only two species that qualify by weight, but are surely not worth the money. The 30-lakh offer is, therefore, either a hoax or an attempt to buy an extremely rare owl species that the person making the offer is certain exists in the area. I hope the Wildlife Protection Department is keeping an eye on things. If an unrecorded rare species of owl does exist, population studies and protection measures should be adopted without delay.

News Link:
Kashmiris chase owls - and millionaire dreams
True? Who cares; Fed on rumors, Kashmiris seek riches in owls, elusive strangers

Kashmir's Wildlife Department.claim to have formally constituted a team to verify the impact on the protected birds. According to the Yahoo News article, an official of the department informed reporters that no Indian owl weighs 3 kilograms. Too bad Wildlife Department officers dont even know what owls are found in Kashmir and how large they are.

P.S As an afterthought, could a new Harry Potter craze have something to do with this mystery? Check out this BBC link from 2001. Anyway, a Snowy Owl would be extremely rare in Kashmir.

UPDATE [22 January 2007]:

Seems like the craziness has spread beyond Kashmir:
A Kashmir rumour sparks owl hunt in North India
Giant Owl Terrorizing Community In England


Image Courtesy: Wikipedia Commons

There seems to be some more welcome news for Kashmir's beleaguered wildlife. It seems that there has been a 20-60% increase in the population of indigenous animals and birds, ostensibly due to the disarming of the local population and the reluctance of poachers to venture into the deeper forests. While the source of the information is impeccable - no less an authority than the Chief Wildlife Warden himself, I am inclined to agree with Asif Hameed in thinking that these figures need to be taken with an extra large pinch of preferably iodised salt.

We should realise the danger of presuming that the outlook is indeed that rosy, unless these figures are backed up by scientific studies. Even if they are farly accurate, there should be no easing up on critical conservation efforts in the future.


News Link:
Insurgency benefits Kashmir wildlife

The Snow Leopard or Ounce [Uncia uncia] is the keystone species of the fragile Trans-Himalaya ecosystem. The welfare of this 'keystone' or 'indicator' species is - as the name suggests - an indicator of the health of its overall habitat. The Snow Leopard is listed as 'Endangered' in the 'IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals' and is included in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act 1978.

A classic keystone species is a small predator that prevents a particular herbivorous species from exploding in numbers and wiping out the dominant plants, thus dramatically altering the character of the ecosystem.

Aound half of India's snow leopard population (< 600) roams Kashmir's Trans-himalayan mountain ranges at altitudes between 4,500 to above 6,600 metres. The news that a new conservation project "Project Snow Leopard" will be launched early next year to provide the highly endangered snow leopard population special protection is very welcome.


News Link:
Kashmir's Snow Leopards to Get Extra Protection
2009 Update
Project Snow Leopard Launched to Save Species

Learn more about:
The Snow Leopard
The Trans-Himalaya
Why should we be concerned about wildlife conservation issues?

Image Courtesy : Stock Xchng

A heavily defended barrier built along India's disputed border with Pakistan is curbing the movement of wild bears and leopards which were earlier able to roam through forests in the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir. According to news reports, these animals are now attacking Kashmiris living in isolated hamlets.

News Link:
Fenced In, Kashmir's Leopards, Bears Stalk Villages

UPDATE [December 17 2006] Black Bear Burnt Alive
In an unfortunate follow-up incident, the torching of a live Black Bear in Tral was shown live on TV on December 17 2006 by a private TV news channel. I had to change the channel quickly because my kids were absolutely shocked by the video feed. The bear was beaten and then set aflame reportedly in the presence of J&K State Wildlife Department officials. While the department blames the people and police for the incident, the government has ordered a probe and attached four officials.

UPDATE [January 17 2007] Leopard stoned to death
Private TV news channels broadcast disturbing footage of a frenzied mob stoning a leopard to death in Chak Chotipora village of Pulwama district of Kashmir on January 17 2007.

In 2006, a dozen people lost their lives in 70 incidents of what is being termed the man-animal conflict across Kashmir .These deaths led to the retaliatory killing of 25 wild animals, mainly leopards, across the valley. Urgent action in compliance with the National Wildlife Action Plan and IUCN's Species Survival Commission recommendations needs to be taken to avoid these incidents in the future. The Wildlife Department officials need proper equipment and training since man-animal conflicts may increase in the future.

Equally important is the need to educate and reassure a panicky populace which has come to believe that all large carnivores like bears and leopards are man-eaters and have to be killed on sight. When human killings do occur, the animal responsible should be dealt with swiftly to avoid a mass fear pychosis from developing against all wild animals in the affected areas.


News Link:
When humans roasted a live bear!
Video available here:
Bear burning in India
Leopard killed in Shopian

Learn More:
Man-Animal Conflict in Kashmir
IUCN Species Survival Commission

Image © Dr. Bakshi Jehangir

' ..and then there were none' -a documentary film by a Kashmiri film maker, Syed Fayaz Ahmed was screened during Kashmir CMS Vatavaran 2006 at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre in September 2006. The film investigates the brutal hunting of otters in the Wular lake and the Periyar sanctuary in Kerala. According to Fayaz, otters have been wiped out from the Wular lake, where they once thrived.

During chilhood visits to the Delhi Zoo, the animals I would be most keen on observing were the hyperactive, restless otters, after probably the psychotic 'howler' monkeys [actually the Hoolock Gibbon, the only ape in India] whose calls we would echo into the night to the annoyance of the neighbours. I dont recall ever having observed an otter in the wild in Kashmir.

Unfortunately for the otters, since they are not as glamorous a species as the tiger or snow leopard, less people are concerned about otter poaching or the illegal trade in their skins. The destruction of wetland habitats in Kashmir may also contribute to the loss of this enchanting mammal once considered to be the ambassador of the wetlands.

R.I.P, Dear Otter.


News Link:
Otters: Dressed to Kill

Learn more about the Otter:
Link 1
Link 2

Image Courtesy : Wikipedia Commons