Indian Wildlife Club Ezine (January, 2002)

The following picture and story which appeared in 'The Economist' Jan. 19-25, 2002 tells an amazing story.

Any relationship between a lioness and an oryx calf might be expected to be both brief, and terminal for the latter. That between the animals in the picture was, indeed, terminal for the calf. But it was by no means brief, and it was not the lioness that did the terminating. This odd couple was spotted in the Samburu game reserve in Kenya on December 21st, and was tracked and filmed by Saba and Dudu Douglas-Hamilton, two wildlife photographers, until another lion killed the calf. Cross-specific fostering of this sort can be made to happen in the laboratory, if the fostered individual is young enough to 'imprint' on another animals' though she were its mother ( and , obviously, if the surrogate mother accepts it-as she may if she has recently given birth). What makes this case bizarre is that the oryx's mother was still alive and lactating, and that the lioness was young and showed no sign of ever having given birth. Also, the Douglas-Hamiltons observed that it was the lioness who followed the calf ( for example when it went back to its mother to suckle), rather than the other way round. Why she wanted to adopt something that ought to have pressed the button labeled 'lunch' is a mystery.

All correct answer for Apes was sent by Roopam Dhawan of Chandigarh and two members Vinai Shukla & Mamta have scored 9/10.

We have a new quiz on 'Snakes' which is online now. So hurry up and attempt it !!

Correct answers are written in red.

Art Camp

Susan Sharma, Founder, IndianWildlifeClub.com

Art Camp and Photo Exhibition held on 12th January 2002 at New Delhi.

IndianWildlifeClub.com along with Mantram Art Foundation and Nehru Bal Samiti sponsored an Art camp for underprivileged children on the theme' Wildlife and Environment'. The best paintings were awarded prizes and exhibited in the Russian Cultural Centre.

On the same day Parivartan Art Gallery held an exhibition of wildlife photographs. Four members of IWC namely, Jayant Deshpande, Saurav Ghosh, Rahul Dutta and Anantika Singh exhibited their photographs.

The picture shows Rahul Dutta presenting his photographs to Ms Erma Manoncourt Dy. Director,( Prog.) UNICEF. Insets: the inauguration of photo gallery by the Chief Guests, Ms Manoncourt and Shri. V. Viswanadhan ( Eminent Artist based in Paris).

The photograph by Jayant Deshpande 'The Peacock Flytrap' - an endangered plant from the Western Ghats, won a lot of appreciation and is also shown as an inset.

Incidentally, Jayant, who managed selling three of his photographs, contributed 30% of the sale proceeds to Indian Wildlife Club. Thank you Jayant!!

More news on the artcamp and pictures in the next issue.

A paper titled' Making the ICE (Information, Communication and Entertainment) age work for Conservation, was presented by Dr.Susan Sharma at the National Symposium on Elephant Conservation, Management and Research, at Hardwar in December 2001. Full text of the paper can be read by clicking here.

...............AND Views

(Saraswati Kavule, Member , IndianWildlifeClub.com)

“There is enough for everyone’s need but not for some people’s greed” – Mahatma Gandhi.

I had been questioned recently when I had proposed that we need to adopt simple lifestyles and may be avoid certain modern day comforts/luxuries in order to preserve the environment. One of the young persons, who wanted to volunteer for the awareness campaign, asked me if I was asking him not to enjoy his life. I did not know what to say to that at that time. Truly, what constitute comforts for us today were rare luxuries in the past. The question is where do we draw the line. If we must save nature for ourselves and for our children, then is it too much to ask to make these sacrifices? And actually are they sacrifices? What did we gain from all our luxury lifestyles? Air-conditioning has made us more prone to respiratory problems like asthma (combined with the increase in vehicular pollution which again is a result of our comfortable lifestyles). People in urban areas, drive to the gym and expend much money and energy there. And yet, when we look at the health standards of the urban versus rural where do we stand? All the processed foods and intake of chemical prescriptions have reduced our immunity to disease. Not to speak of carcinogens in all that convenience! An average urban Indian spends most of his/her free time trying to preserve their fragile health- not to speak of the great amounts of medical bills. In this context, isn’t it is in our interest if we went back to our simple lifestyles? I wouldn’t say that one must do an about turn, but when we can decide on man-made creature comforts based on our needs it would reduce a lot of the harmful toxins being generated in the manufacture, usage and recycling(if any) of these products and saves us the environment besides keeping us in good health. Is that too much!

References on the biology and ecology of selected mammal species of conservation importance

( List prepared by Ashish Kumar, WII. )

Jha, Ajeya Status of the weasel family in Sikkim. Tiger Paper, 26(1): pp. 1-4; 1999 ISSN: 1014-2789

Long, C.A.; Killingley, C.A. The Badgers of the World. Springfield, Illinois, USA:

Charles C. Thomas, 1983. 404pp. ISBN: 0 398 04741 3

Lekagul, B. The deterioration of forest and wildlife of the country within the past 30 years. Conservation News (Thailand), 5+: 3-6. 1983

PARKER C BIRTH, CARE AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHINESE HOG BADGERS ARCTONYX COLLARIS

ALBOGULARIS AT METRO TORONTO ZOO. INT. ZOO YEARBOOK; 19, 182-185, 1979.

Sprent, J. F. A. TOXOCARA VAJRASTHIRAE SP. NOV. FROM THE HOG-BADGER (ARCTONYX COLLARIS) OF THAILAND. Parasitology, 65(3): 491-498. Dec. 1972. WR 148: 48 ISSN: 0031-1820

Onuma, Manabu; Suzuki, Masatsugu; Ohtaishi, Noriyuki Reproductive pattern of the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) in Sarawak, Malaysia. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 63(3): 293-297. 20013 figs. ISSN: 0916-7250

Pickard, John Pre-and post-partum behaviour of a female Malayan sun bear at Wellington Zoo. International Zoo News, 47 (5): 284-296. 2000. ISSN: 0020-9155

Sam D D Asiatic black bear conservation action plan. Status and management of the Asiatic black bear and sun bear in Vietnam. In: Bears. Status survey and conservation plan (Servheen C, Herrero S & Peyton B, comp): 216-218 + 271-296, 1999.

Servheen C Sun bear conservation action plan. In: Bears. Status survey and

conservation plan (Servheen C, Herrero S & Peyton B, comp): 219-223 + 271-296, 1999.

Salter R E Sun bear conservation action plan. Status and management of the sun bear in Lao PDR. In: Bears. Status survey and conservation plan (Servheen C, Herrero S & Peyton B, comp): 223-224 + 271-296, 1999.

Duc H D The status of large carnivores in Vietnam. Biosphere Conservation, 2(1): 45-49, 1999.

Rabinowitz, Alan Killed for a cure. Natural History, 107(3): 22-24. 1998. ISSN: 0028-0712

Schwarzenberger F; Schaller K et al Faecal steroid analysis for monitoring ovarian function and the effect of PZP (Porcine zona pellucida protein) in the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) In: Proceedings of the 2nd Scientific Meeting of the European Association of Zoo- and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV), May 21-24, 1998, Chester, UK (Zwart P et al, eds): 387-395, 1998.

Wasser, S. K.; Houston, C. S.; Koehler, G. M.; Cadd, G. G.; Fain, S. R. Techniques for application of faecal DNA methods to field studies of Ursids. Molecular Ecology, 6 (11): 1091-1097. 1997. ISSN: 0962-1083

Santiapillai, Anoma; Santiapillai, Charles Status, distribution and conservation of bears in the People's Republic of China. Tiger Paper, 24(2): 22-25. 1997. ISSN: 1014-2789

Santiapillai, Anoma; Santiapillai, Charles The status, distribution, and conservation of the Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) in Indonesia. Tiger Paper, 23(1): 11-16. 1996. ISSN: 1014-2789

Lane, Thomas J. The family of bears. N. Am. Vet. Conf. Vet. Proc., 10: 895-897. 1996. ("The North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Florida, January 13-17, 1996").

Yiqing M Conservation and utilization of the bear resources in China. In: 9th

International Conference on Bear Research and Management. Bears - Their Biology and Management (Claar J J & Schullery P et al eds): 157-159, 1994.

Mills J; Servheen C The Asian trade in bears and bear parts: Impacts and conservation recommendations. In: 9th International Conference on Bear Research and Management. Bears - Their Biology and Management (Claar J J & Schullery P et al eds): 161-167, 1994.

Strauss G Domitor/Tilest - eine neue Kombination zur Immobilisation von Malayenbaeren (Helarctos malayanus) Milu: Wissenschaftliche und Kulturelle Mitteilungen aus dem

Tierpark Berlin, 8(1): 121-127, 1994. ISSN: 0076-8839

Servheen C Conservation strategies for Asian bears. In: Wildlife Conservation: Present Trends & Persp. 21st Century (Maruyama N et al, eds), Proc. Intern. Symp. Wildl. Conserv. , Japan Aug. 21-25 1990; V Intern. Congr. Ecol. Intecol'90: 11-14, 1991.

Kuehme W Beobachtungen zur Fortpflanzungsbiologie des Malaienbaeren (Helarctos

malayanus) mit Vergleichen zum Brillenbaer (Tremarctos ornatus) Der Zoologische Garten, 60(5): 263-284, 1990. ISSN: 0044-5169

Stuhrberg E Beitrag zum Blutbild und zur Biochemie des Blutserums bei Eisbae en (Thalarctos maritimus) und Malayenbaeren (Helarctos malayanus) Internationales Symposium ueber die Erkrankungen der Zoo- und Wildtiere (ISEZ), 30: 389-398, 1988.

Kuntze A; Hunsdorff P; Kuntze O Weitere haematologische und biochemische Befunde von gesunden und kranken Ursiden (Thalarctos maritimus, Ursus arctos und Helarctos malayanus) Internationales Symposium ueber die Erkrankungen der Zoo- und Wildtiere (ISEZ), 30: 399-406, 1988.

Yi-ching, Ma. THE STATUS OF BEARS IN CHINA. Acta Zoologica Fennica, No. 174. p. 165-166. 1983. WR 193 ISSN: 0001-7299

Dobias, R.J. Thaleban National Park. Conservation News, 3+1p. 1982? p10. ISSN: 0010-647X

Smith, Sally J. PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES AND HAND-REARING PROBLEMS WITH MALAYAN SUN BEARS AT ROEDING PARK ZOO. Animal Keepers' Forum, 7(6): 137-141. June 1980. WR 179 ISSN: 0164-9531

MCCUSKER J S BREEDING MALAYAN SUN BEARS (HELARCTOS MALAYANUS) AT FORT WORTH ZOO. INT. ZOO YEARBOOK; 14, 118-119, 1974.

Grores, M. C. Grisefuluin treatment of Microsporum canis infection in Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) American Veterinary Medical Association. Journal, 155: 1090-1092. 1969. ISSN: 0003-1488

Chandra, A. M. Sundeep; Ginn, Pamela E.; Terrell, Scott P.; Ferguson, Bruce; Adjiri-Awere, Alfred; Dennis, P.; Homer, Bruce L. Canine distemper virus infection in binturongs (Arctictis binturong) Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 12(1): 88-91. 20004 figs. ISSN: 1040-6387

Jha, Ajeya Errata: A preliminary survey on the status of civets in Namdapha Biosphere Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh. Tiger Paper, 27 (2): 28. 2000.Errata of article in Tigerpaper Vol. 26, No. 3, Jul.-Sept. 1999, pg. 1-5. ISSN: 1014-2789

Jha A A preliminary survey on the status of civets in Namdapha Biosphere Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh: Errata. Tiger Paper, 27(2): 28, 2000. ISSN: 1014-2789

Jha, Ajeya A preliminary survey on the status of civets in Namdapha Biosphere Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh. Tiger Paper, 26(3): pp. 1-5; 1999 ISSN: 1014-2789

Hur, K.; Bae, J.-S.; Choi, J.-H.; Kim, J.-H.; Kwon, S.-W.; Lee, K.-W.; Kim, D.-Y.* Canine distemper virus infection in binturongs (Arctictis binturong) Journal of Comparative Pathology, 121(3): 295-299. 1999 ISSN: 0021-9975

Bjornson, A. P.; Lewis, J. C. M.; Appleby, E. C. Mammary neoplasia in a binturong (Arctictis binturong) Veterinary Record, 144(15): 421-422. 1999 ISSN: 0042-4900

Nettelbeck, Anouchka Rebekka Encounters between lar gibbons (Hylobates lar) and binturongs (Arctictis binturong) Folia Primatologica, 69(6): 392-396. 1998. ISSN: 0015-5713

Pitra C; Lieckfeldt D et al Vaterschaftsnachweis beim Binturong (Arctictis binturong (Raffles, 1821) ) mit Hilfe eines genetischen Fingerabdruckverfahrens. Der Zoologische Garten, 66(5): 301-309, 1996. ISSN: 0044-5169

McNab, Brian K. ENERGY EXPENDITURE AND CONSERVATION IN FRUGIVOROUS AND MIXED-DIET CARNIVORANS. Journal of Mammalogy, 76(1): 206-222. 1995. WR 248 ISSN: 0022-2372

Embury, Amanda; Arnott, John Asian Tropical Rainforest stage I: tiger/otter exhibit at Melbourne Zoo. International Zoo Yearbook, 34: 165-178. 1995. ISSN: 0074-9664

Wilson, Cindy HAND-REARING BABY BINTURONGS. Animal Keepers' Forum, 20(2): 78-80. 1993. WR 239 ISSN: 0164-9531

Rahman, M.M.; Huda, K.M.; Banu, Q.; Asmat, G.S.M. Status of Binturong (^/Arctictis binturong^/) in Bangladesh. Bulletin (Wildlife Series), No 4, 1992. 8pp.

Sokolov, V. E.; T. P. Evgen'evan; T. I. Neklyudova; Phan Chong An and Vguyen Suan Tang STRUCTURE OF THE PERINEAL ORGAN OF ARCTICTIS BINTURONG (SUBFAMILY PARADOXURINEA, FAMILY VIVERRIDAE, ORDER CARNIVORA, MAMMALIA). Doklady Biological Sciences, 315(1-6): 735-738. 1991. WR 226 ISSN: 0012-4966

Lambert, Frank SOME NOTES ON FIG-EATING BY ARBOREAL MAMMALS IN MALAYSIA. Primates, 3 1(3): 453-458. 1990. WR 221 ISSN: 0032-8332

Jackson, P. Manas Tiger Reserve threatened. Environmental Awareness, 13+(1)+: 19-22. 1990

Smith, Gill THE BINTURONG (ARCTICTIS BINTURONG): PART 2. Ratel, 14(6): 168-172. 1987. WR 208

Smith G The binturong (Arctitis binturong): Part 2. Ratel, 14(6): 168-172, 1987.

Quinell, R.; Balmford, A. (Eds) Palawan forest research 1984. Final report. Palawan Forest Research., 1984. iii + 57pp.

WEMMER C; MURTAUGH J COPULATORY BEHAVIOR AND REPRODUCTION IN THE BINTURONG, ARCTICTIS BINTURONG. Journal of Mammalogy, 62(2), 342-352, 1981. ISSN: 0022-2372

AQUILINA G D; BEYER R H THE EXHIBITION AND BREEDING OF BINTURONGS ARCTICTIS BINTURONG AS A FAMILY GROUP AT BUFFALO ZOO. INT. ZOO YEARBOOK; 19, 185. 188, 1979.

Dutt, S. C. and Gupta, P. P. PARAGONIMIASIS IN A BEAR CAT, /ARCTICUS BINTURONG/. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 72 (4): 391-393. Aug. 1978. WR 171 ISSN: 0003-4983

Ivashin, M. V. SOME CASES OF ABNORMAL EMBRYOGENESIS IN /BALAENOPTERA ACUTOROSTRATA/(CETACEA, BALAENOPTERIDAE) IN THE INDOOCEAN SECTOR OF THE ANTARCTIC. Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 56(11): 1736-1739. Nov. 1977. In Russian with English summ. WR 169 ISSN: 0044-5134

XANTEN W A; KAFKA H; OLDS E BREEDING THE BINTURONG AT THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK, WASHINGTON. INT. ZOO YEARBOOK; 16, 117-119, 1976.

Kleiman, Devra G. SCENT MARKING IN THE BINTURONG, ARCTICTIS BINTURONG. Journal of Mammalogy, 55(1): 224-227. Feb. 1974. WR 152: 50 ISSN: 0022-2372

KUSCHINSKI L BREEDING BINTURONGS (ARCTICTIS BINTURONG) AT GLASGOW ZOO. INT. ZOO YEARBOOK; 14, 124-126, 1974.

Ogilvie, G.S. The binturong or bear cat. 0000. : 1-3.

Jha, Ajeya Status of the weasel family in Sikkim. Tiger Paper, 26(1): pp. 1-4; 1999 ISSN: 1014-2789

Schilo R A; Ruchljada O W Haltung und Zucht von Buntmardern (Martes flavigula) im Zoo Nowosibirsk. Der Zoologische Garten, 65(2): 135-138, 1995. ISSN: 0044-5169

Mead, Rodney A. REPRODUCTION IN MARTES. Martens, Sables, and Fishers: Biology and Conservation. Steven W. Buskirk, Alton S. Harestad, Martin G. Raphael, and Roger A. Powell, editors., p. 404-422. 1994. WR 244

Buskirk, Steven W. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENUS MARTES. Martens, Sables, and Fishers: Biology and Conservation. Steven W. Buskirk, Alton S. Harestad, Martin G. Raphael, and Roger A. Powell, editors., p. 1-10. 1994. WR 244

Buskirk, Steven W.; Alton S. Harestad; Martin G. Raphael and Roger A. Powell; editors MARTENS, SABLES, AND FISHERS: BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION. Cornell Univ. Press, 501p. 1994. Available at $65.00 (cloth) from Cornell Univ. Press, 512 E. State St., Ithaca, NY 14851-0250. WR 244

Anderson, Elaine EVOLUTION, PREHISTORIC DISTRIBUTION, AND SYSTEMATICS OF MARTES. Martens, Sables, and Fishers: Biology and Conservation. Steven W. Buskirk, Alton S. Harestad, Martin G. Raphael, and Roger A. Powell, editors., p. 13-25. 1994. WR 244

Saha, Subhendu Sekhar ON SOME MAMMALS RECENTLY COLLECTED IN BHUTAN. Bombay Natural History Society. Journal, 74 (2): 350-354. Aug. 1977. WR 170 ISSN: 0006-6982

WEMMER C; JOHNSON G L EGG-BREAKING BEHAVIOR IN A YELLOW-THROATED MARTEN, MARTES FLAVIGULA (MUSTELIDAE: CARNIVORA) Zeitschrift fuer Saeugetierkunde, 41(1), 58-60, 1976. ISSN: 0044-3468

EMERSON K C; PRICE R D A NEW SPECIES OF TRICHODECTES (MALLOPHAGA: TRICHODECTIDAE) FROM THE YELLOW-THROATED MARTEN (MARTES FLAVIGULA) Biological Society of Washington. Proceedings, 87(10), 77-80, 1974. ISSN: 0006-324X

KUCHERENKO S P . IN: OKHOTINA, M. V. (ED. ). FAUNA AND ECOLOGY OF THE TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATES OF THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE SOVIET FAR EAST. ACAD. SCI. USSR, VLADIVOSTOK, PP. 102-106, 1974.

Datta, Aparajita Pangolin sightings in western Arunachal Pradesh. Bombay Natural History Society. Journal, 96(2): 310. 1999. ISSN: 0006-6982

Gurung, Juddha Bahadur A pangolin survey in Royal Nagarjung Forest in Kathmandu, Nepal. Tiger Paper, 23(2): 29-32. 1996. ISSN: 1014-2789

Bing Su; Rui-Qing Liu; Ying-xiang Wang and Li-ming Shi GENETIC DIVERSITY IN THE CHINESE PANGOLIN (MANIS PENTADACTYLA) INFERRED FROM PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS. Biochemical Genetics, 32(9/10): 343-349. 1994. WR 248 ISSN: 0006-2928

Zhang, Ya-ping and Li-ming Shi GENETIC DIVERSITY IN THE CHINESE PANGOLIN (MANIS PENTADACTYLA): INFERRED FROM RESTRICTION ENZYME ANALYSIS OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNAs. Biochemical Genetics, 29(9/10): 501-508. 1991. WR 228 ISSN: 0006-2928

Chen Quan; Liu Ruiqing; Wang Yingxiang and Shi Liming STUDIES ON THE MITOTIC CHROMOSOMES AND MEIOTIC SYNAPTONEMAL COMPLEXES (SC) OF CHINESE PANGOLIN (MANIS PENTADACTYLA). Dongwuxue Yanjiu, 12(3): 299-304. 1991. In Chinese with English summ. WR 231 ISSN: 0254-5853

Heath, Martha E. and Sharon L. Vanderlip BIOLOGY, HUSBANDRY, AND VETERINARY CARE OF CAPTIVE CHINESE PANGOLINS (MANIS PENTADACTYLA). Zoo Biology, 7(4): 293-312. 1988. WR 212 ISSN: 0733-3188

Heath, Martha E. TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR VARIATIONS IN ACTIVITY, CORE TEMPERATURE, METABOLIC RATE, AND RESPIRATORY QUOTIENT IN CAPTIVE CHINESE PANGOLINS. Zoo Biology, 6(1): 1-10. 1987. WR 205 ISSN: 0733-3188

Bridge, Vicki Lyn and Lin Ming-Sheung NOTES ON REARING CHINESE PANGOLINS (MANIS PENTADACTYLA). Animal Keepers' Forum, 13(4): 114. 1986. WR 202 ISSN: 0164-9531

Chen Yuhan; Xu Jiaqiang; Chen Zhuohuai and Xiao Zhende STUDY ON GASTRIC CARCINOMA AND ITS ETIOLOGY IN CHINESE PANGOLIN. Dongwu Xuebao, 32(1): 96-97. 1986. In Chinese.WR 203 ISSN: 0001-7302

Cen Yuhan; Xu Jiaqiang; Chen Zhuohuai; Xiao Zhende and Cu Longhuci ON THE GASTRIC TUMOURS OF CHINESE PANGOLIN. Dongwu Xuebao, 30(2): 105-107. 1984. In Chinese with English summ. WR 195 ISSN: 0001-7302

Ray, J.C.; Sunquist, M.E. Trophic relations in a community of African rinforest carnivores. Oecologia, 127(3): 395-408. 20013 figs.; 4 tables. ISSN: 0029-8549

Schauenberg, Paul Bornean golden cats in Berlin. Cat News, No. 34: 31-32. 2001.

Jorio, Louis Wild cat survey of coastal southern Myanmar. Tiger Paper, 27 (2): 7-8. 2000. ISSN: 1014-2789

Griot-Wenk, M. E.; Giger, U.* The AB blood group system in wild felids. Animal Genetics, 30(2): 144-147. 1999 ISSN: 0268-9146

Chakraborty, R.; Chakraborty, S.; De, J. K. Identification of dorsal guard hairs of the species of Indian lesser cats (Carnivora: Felidae) Mammalia, 63(1): 93-104. 1999 ISSN: 0025-1461

Duc H D The status of large carnivores in Vietnam. Biosphere Conservation, 2(1): 45-49, 1999.

Grassman, Lon Stomach contents of an Asiatic golden cat. Cat News, No. 28: 20-21. 1998.

Slack, Gordy The rights (and wrongs) of cats. Calif. Wild, 51(3): 6-7, 48. 1998.

Bassenge A; Geers E; Kolter L Wirkung von verschiedenen Methoden des Environmental Enrichment auf Katzen (Felidae) Koelner Zoo. Zeitschrift, 41(3): 103-131, 1998. ISSN: 0375-5290

Brocklehurst, Mike Husbandry and breeding of the Asiatic golden cat Catopuma

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Schloeder, C. A.; Jacobs, M. J. A report on the occurrence of three new mammal species in Ethiopia. African Journal of Ecology, 34(4): 401-403. 1996. ISSN: 0141-6707

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Davies, Glyn GOLDEN CAT IN ARABUKO-SOKOKE FOREST? E.A.N.H.S. (East Afr. Nat. Hist. Soc.) Bull., 23(3): 51-52. 1993. WR 248

Vellayan, S.; B. Omar; P. Oothuman; J. Jeffery; M. Zahedi; A. Mathew and M. Krishnasamy THE GOLDEN CAT, FELIS TEMMINCKII, AS A NEW HOST FOR DIROFILARIA MMITIS. Malaysian Veterinary Journal, 1(2): 87-89. 1989. In English with Malay summ. WR 221 ISSN: 0126-5652

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Jorio, Louis Wild cat survey of coastal southern Myanmar. Tiger Paper, 27 (2): 7-8. 2000. ISSN: 1014-2789

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Grassman L I jr; Tewes M E Marbled cat in Northeastern Thailand. Cat News, 33: 24, 2000.

Chakraborty, R.; Chakraborty, S.; De, J. K. Identification of dorsal guard hairs of the species of Indian lesser cats (Carnivora: Felidae) Mammalia, 63(1): 93-104. 1999 ISSN: 0025-1461

Choudhury, Anwaruddin The marbled cat Felis marmorata Martin in Assam-some recent records. Bombay Natural History Society. Journal, 93(3): 583-584. 1996. ISSN: 0006-6982

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Sanzgiri, Mahesh N. OCCURRENCE OF MARBLED CAT (FELIS MARMORATA) AND HOG DEER (AXIS PORCINUS) IN BHAGWAN MAHAVEER SANCTUARY (MOLLEM), GOA, INDIA. Tiger Paper, 12(2): 24. 1985. WR 199 ISSN: 1014-2789

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Deepika Vohra can be contacted atdeepika@indianwildlifeclub.com

Status: Schedule 1

Four (4) subspecies (disputed) distributed throughout South-east Asia, China, India and Indonesia (from Vietnam to Borneo). Within India, found in all the seven states of north-east India. The north-western limit of its range is the southward band of the river Brahmaputra. According to CITES II rating this species is at lower risk. Jhumming/Deforestation, even moderate selective logging affects their numbers adversely. Hunted for food, medicine and religious ceremony.

ECOSYSTEM USED
Subtropical and tropical moist forests upto 1300 m. Slow loris is arboreal in nature and only inhabits the thickest of vegetation in the tropical evergreen forests. It prefers the regenerating forests and occupies the lower canopy. Also reported from the sub-urban gardens, secondary growths and scrubs. Slow loris prefers forest edges in and around tropical evergreen forests. The edges provide them more support and prey base. ( Pic of Asian slow loris, taken in Laos, courtesy -www.kostich.com)

REARING
Birth season: When vegetation is at a maximum level. Mothers carry infants upto six (6) months. Sexual maturity reaches at the age of 17-21 and 17-20 months for females and males, respectively. Birth interval varies from 12 to 18 months. Infants are parked while mother forages.

FEEDING
Slow lorises are cryptic, slow-moving animals who forage alone throughout the night. The male loris’s range may be larger than the female’s. It is nocturnal, arboreal and hang from a branch upside down to eat with both hands. Their diet include the fruit (50%), animal prey (30%), gum (10%), shoots, bird eggs and insects that have a repugnant taste and smell. Leaves are not consumed but the sap from leaf petiole is sucked. Preferred food plant species recorded is Dillenia pentagyna.

REFERENCES
Rowe (1996), Shrivastava (1999).

  Toby Ninan retired from Delhi Zoo about two years back. With his varied experiences with the wild animals in the zoo, he is the right person to direct your queries to. Hear what Ninan has to say about his life and chosen career!

It was decided at last that my tigress would go to Trichur (Kerala).Toby Ninan can be contacted at Ninan@indianwildlifeclub.com

She was duly crated and ensconced in the brake van of the train. (G.T Express) going from Delhi to Madras-to be further transported from Madras for the onward journey to Trichur.

All went well for the first day and night and at every second station or so, her keeper and I would open the door and peep in. Except for a few roars at the terrified guard all would be well. Giving us a sour look she would proceed to drink the cool water that was poured into her stone pot. After a few more stations even the guard would come into the van and not be greeted by a couple of powerful roars but a number of 'pfft pffts' which said that even he was welcome in case no other company was available.

Hell broke loose at a station called 'Ongole'. The guard came running to my first class bogey and told me that the tiger had escaped and we would have to get the police to shoot her. Hearing this, the keeper and I left a half eaten meal to try and make out what really was going on.

On reaching the brake van we saw that the door was firmly closed and securely locked. The guard, who by now gathered together his breath explained that the slide door of the crate had been smashed by the shunting action of the train aided by a 'helpful' angle iron on one side of the bogey. He told me that the tiger was out of the crate and would tear me up if I went inside. I told them not to worry as I could easily charm the animal back into her crate and all would be well.

On being reassured, he gingerly opened the door and I put a leg and my head inside. The old girl had her torso out and giving me a look of reassurance slipped back into the crate. losing no time, the keeper and I pushed the other end of the crate onto the wall of the carriage and tied it down to the wall which formed a sort of make shift door. Soon we tied the crate securely onto this wall and temporarily halted 'madam's' exploratory movements. The train was about to go so I invited the guard to a long chat at the next station and soon explained to him that I was solely responsible for the safety of the tiger and told him that as he had seen for himself, nothing will happen for the next part of the journey.

To cut a long story short we reached Madras safely and with the kind help of a luggage clerk found a carpenter who worked for the railways. Between us we 'flicked' one of those boards on trains proclaiming 'Grand Trunk Express' or 'Blue Mountain Express' and fashioned this into a door which slid comfortably in place to replace the broken one.

As the crate was transshipped to the connecting train' Cochin Express' the guard of this train came to know all about 'Rosy's' extra cage activities and refused to take the train to the her destination.

The Station Master and other train officials were called and I made up a cock and bull story that Rosy was a gift of the President of India to the Kerala Government I also added that since she was pregnant, she had to be handled with care and rushed to the Trichur Zoo for delivery under the care of the best vets of the veterinary college there. This tall tale had its desired effect. The guard was replaced and we had an uneventful journey to the Trichur station.

At the station the tiger crate was loaded onto a long two wheeler push cart and lo and behold, in the middle of the town the men managed to let go off the cart and the crate with tiger in it tumbled on to one side in the middle of the road.

I still think it a wonder that the crate did not snap open. The crate, cart and tiger were soon put right side up. The cart and its burden finally reached the zoo where I could meet friends and colleagues whom, over some strong beverages I could regale with the tale of tiger, train and tumble.