After a lengthy delay, still no green light for Sri Lanka’s red list

Published on Mongabay on 9 July 2019 https://news.mongabay.com/2019/07/after-a-lengthy-delay-still-no-green-light-for-sri-lankas-red-list/

• The rediscovery in recent years of species long thought to be extinct has sparked calls by scientists for an update of Sri Lanka’s red list of threatened species.
• The current list is based on assessments from 2012, and a scheduled update in 2017 was missed because of procedural delays and resource constraints.
• Conservationists have also called for the red-listing criteria used in Sri Lanka to be consistent with the global guidelines set out by the IUCN, in order to ensure consistency in conservation efforts.
• They also want more species recovery initiatives based on the national red list, to make better use of the data to optimize conservation efforts.

freshwater crab – 50 out of 51 freshwater crabs found in Sri Lanka are Endemic (c) Nadika Hapuarachchie

When a team of herpetologists led by Mendis Wickramasinghe found a group of webless shrub frogs in a remote montane ecosystem in Sri Lanka in 2010, it was an encounter with a species not seen since it was first described in 1876.

In fact, both Sri Lanka’s national red list and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list the webless shrub frog (Pseudophilautus hypomelas), found nowhere else on Earth, as extinct. Since then, two more amphibians and two plants listed as extinct or possibly extinct in the 2012 national red list have been rediscovered in the wild.

The list was supposed to be updated in 2017 with new assessments. And while these rediscoveries are positive news for conservation on the highly biodiverse Indian Ocean island, the deficiencies of the red list indicate serious glitches in updating the conservation status of species and a failure to reflect the reality on the ground, experts say.

“Sri Lanka has many technically sound researchers who can contribute to this process of carrying out species assessments,” said Wickramasinghe. “With proper coordination, it is not difficult to compile the data. The system does not reflect the urgency that conservationists feel.”

Suranjan Fernando, who was involved in preparing Lanka’s submission for the Convention on Biological Diversity, agreed that an updated red list could help with species recovery efforts.

“We carry out surveys to identify species distribution. It is good to have a repository of information, but the important thing is to introduce species’ recovery plans,” he told Mongabay.

The starry shrub frog (Pseudophilautus stellatus) is included in Sri Lanka’s national list of threatened species as possibly extinct (the IUCN considers it already extinct), although it was rediscovered in 2009, 156 years after it was first described. Image courtesy of Mendis Wickramasinghe.

National assessments

The IUCN’s global Red List of Threatened Species is considered the leading repository for the conservation status of species around the world. While the global list is maintained and periodically updated by the IUCN, there are also regional and national red lists that assess conservation status at more localized levels.

Sri Lanka came out with national assessments in 1999, 2007 and 2012, with the subsequent one scheduled for 2017. But procedural delays and resource constraints have hampered the process, causing the deadline to be missed.

“There is a delay in publishing the latest national assessment but reviews will be done as expeditiously as possible,” Padma Abeykoon, head of the Biodiversity Secretariat, the agency responsible for carrying out the national assessments, told Mongabay.

The good news here is that despite the delay, the threatened status of plants has already been finalized, according to Cyril Wijesundera, coordinator of the flora component of the national red list. “The intention is to publish the national red list by October,” he added.

Assessments are plagued by data deficiencies due to the absence of islandwide surveys, especially on less “glamorous” species such as grasses, sedges and some herbs, Wijesundera said.

Devaka Weerakoon, who leads the fauna component of the list, told Mongabay that initial data gathering was underway, though the process was slow. “It is not possible to give a potential date of release of the updated list,” he said. What is easier to conclude is the assessment on freshwater fishes, according to IUCN Sri Lanka’s senior program officer for biodiversity, Sampath Goonetillake.

Conservationists are warning against the rapid decline of endemic birds from Sri Lanka’s hills, where this yellow-eared bulbul (Pycnonotus penicillatus) can still be seen. Image courtesy of Nadika Hapuarachchi.

Domestic criteria

Despite the holistic red-listing criteria and guidelines introduced by the IUCN, countries tend to adopt domestic criteria by making minor adjustments, and Sri Lanka is a case in point.

“IUCN Sri Lanka produced a national list of threatened species using nationally developed criteria in 1999. The first IUCN national red list of threatened species was based on the global criteria, nationally adopted in 2007,” said Channa Bambaradeniya, former head of IUCN Sri Lanka’s biodiversity unit, who was involved in the initial listing process.

“But in some cases we had to deviate from the global criteria to address local conservation realities,” Wijesundera said. “We are a small island with diverse ecosystems scattered within a relatively smaller area, unlike a big continent.”

For a national red list to be adopted by the IUCN, the latter has to review the listing for the application of relevant global criteria in a scientific manner. But this process doesn’t please everyone. Many conservationists argue that it’s best to stick to the global criteria for greater consistency in conservation efforts.

“Having regional level in-country assessments makes sense for endemic species restricted to a specific region.   But for species that are globally found, country-specific assessments are of little value from the point of species conservation,” said Rohan Pethiyagoda, a taxonomist and a naturalist who earlier served as the deputy chair of the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission.

Pethiyagoda said he intended to conduct an amphibian assessment using global red list criteria.

“It may not be necessary to carry out assessments every five years. It needs updating only when new data on threats, populations and ranges are available,” he said. “In the case of amphibians, after a period of rapid discovery, there seems to now be a period of stasis. So the time is right for a fresh assessment. The same is true also for freshwater fishes, though 2020 will be a good time for releasing a fresh assessment due to the wealth of unpublished data available.”

For Wickramasinghe, whose team rediscovered the webless shrub frog thought to be extinct, there can’t be any further delays in updating the conservation status for Sri Lanka’s rich and unique biodiversity.

“The need of the hour is to update the national red list and to use the data to prioritize conservation efforts,” he said.

Banner image of an endemic freshwater crab from Sri Lanka. Fifty of the 51 freshwater crabs found here occur nowhere else. The IUCN’s 2015 listing recognizes 24 of them as critically endangered and another 10 as endangered. Image by Nadika Hapuarachchi.

International scientists to meet in Lanka on tropics crisis

International scientists will meet in Sri Lanka in September to discuss saving life forms in the tropics, where 80 per cent of all species live and where the greatest threats to biodiversity lie. Published on SundayTimes on 16.06.2019 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190616/news/international-scientists-to-meet-in-lanka-on-tropics-crisis-353692.html 

Tropical region is home to diverse habitats (c) Ruchira Somaweera

“About 200 world-renowned scientists are expected to participate in this conference, organised by the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC)’s Asia-Pacific Chapter,” Dr. Enoka Kudavidanage, conference chair and ATBC country representative said.

Discussions will take place with a heightened sense of urgency as a key United Nations study predicts that 1 million species risk extinction.

“The bonds that hold Nature together may be at risk of unravelling from deforestation, overfishing, development and other human activities,” National Geographic stated, reporting on the results of the UN Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services issued in May.

The tropics, which encompass 40 per cent of the Earth’s surface area, has diverse habitats ranging from rainforests to deserts, savannah to mangroves that are threatened by deforestation, overfishing, poaching, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species.

The knowledge aired at the conference would help scientists dealing with biodiversity problems in Sri Lanka, conference co-chair, Dr. Sampath Seneviratne of the University of Colombo, said.

The event would be a good opportunity to put Sri Lanka at the “focal point of conservation science at this important juncture”, said Professor Savitri Gunatilleke, Emeritus Professor at the University of Peradeniya.

Dr. Gunatilleke, who was awarded Honorary Fellowship of the ATBC in 2016, the first Sri Lankan to be honoured thus, pointed out that this country had a number of “renowned conservation scientists and many young researchers who aspire to be successful scientists of tropical biodiversity”.

The ATBC conference, the first of its kind to be held in Sri Lanka, will take place at MAS Athena, Thulhiriya from September 10-13. Visit http://atbcap2019.org/index.html for details.

Founded in 1963, the ATBC is the world’s largest and oldest academic society dedicated to the study and conservation of tropical ecosystems. As many as 65 countries are involved in its activities.

Meanwhile the much-hyped World Wildlife Conference (CITES COP18) has been postponed to October pending security clearance following the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

Authorities hope this conference, which hundreds of foreign scientists are expected to attend, will boost the tourism industry which was devastated by the bombings, carried out by Islamic militants in churches and hotels on April 21.

Most of the earth’s biodiversity hotspots are in tropical region

Attempt to ‘Rescue’ wild cat babies could backfire

Two wild cat cubs were found in a tree cavity several days ago by workers at the Bogawantalawa tea estate. The mother could not be spotted so the workers carefully took the cubs away, thinking they had been orphaned.

The Nallathanniya Beat Office of Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) was alerted to the find on October 4 and rushed to the estate where they found that the cubs were young fishing cats only a few days old.

The cubs were in good shape, said wildlife ranger Prabash Karunatilleke. He told the people who found them it was best to take them back to their hiding place because their mother would return for them.

“Fishing cats usually hide their babies when they need to go out on brief hunting trips to find food. Perhaps the mother ran away in fright at the approach of the estate workers, but it would have been around,” Mr. Karunatilleke said.

Wildlife officers put the babies back in the tree cavity and cleared the area of people. When they returned to the site the next morning the babies were not there. Fresh pug marks around the tree indicated the mother had taken her babies to another hideout, Mr. Karunatilleke said.

The wildlife officers had acted sensibly in putting the cubs back in the tree cavity, fishing cat experts said, adding that worried members of the public often believe they are performing an act of kindness in “rescuing” apparently abandoned fishing cat cubs when in fact they were separating babies from their mother.

“If you find a fishing cat cub just check the surrounding area for predators. If the cub seems to be safe, just wait and keep your distance as the mother won’t come if it feels your presence,” fishing cat expert Anya Ratnayake said.

“If the mother does not appear even after about two hours, then there is a chance that the cubs have been orphaned due to some tragic thing having happened to the mother.

“Then, and only then, take the initiative to help them,” Ms. Ratnayake advised.

“The cubs of all our wild cats, including leopards, are adorable and it is difficult to resist the urge to help them, but being with the mother is their best chance of their survival.”

Carnivores are difficult to rehabilitate and be released back to the wild as grown animals, wild cat experts emphasised. It is difficult to teach a baby wild cat the techniques of hunting and other skills that cats need to survive in the wild and which they learn from their mother.

Many fear the fishing cat, known as “handun diviya” in Sinhala. Ms. Ratnayake and fellow young fishing cat expert Ashan Thudugala are doing a good job trying to educate the public about this species.

The fishing cat is a medium-sized wild cat that lives in wetlands. They are nocturnal and secretive wild cats so studying them is difficult for researchers.

Fishing cats face many kinds of dangers. They adapt to wetlands in busy cities, even in Colombo, so are often run over and killed by accident when trying to cross roads.

They are also often caught in snares set primarily for wild boar in many areas. The loss of their wetland habitats is also a major problem.

Published on SundayTimes on 14.10.2018 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/181014/news/rescue-of-wild-cat-babies-backfires-315532.html 

NOTE: Experts opined that the cubs found on Bogawanthalawa are infact the cubs of the Rusty-spotted Cat; world’s smallest wild cat.  

Fishing cats often become roadkill. Babies could go orphaned, if mother get killed or translocated elsewhere (c) Toshan Wijerathne – Near Kirala Kele, Matara

Brutal harvesting of gal siyambala treat leaves sour taste

With the gal siyambala season at its height experts are warning that unsustainable harvesting methods are pushing the fruit tree towards extinction while prices for the product have soared. Published on SundayTimes on http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180902/news/brutal-harvesting-of-gal-siyambala-treat-leaves-sour-taste-309655.html

Gal Siyambala tree laden with fruit (c) Ashan Geeganage 

With its velvet coat and sweetish acidic taste the gal siyambala or velvet tamarind has been a delicacy for generations.

The velvet tamarind tree (Dialium ovoideum) grows in evergreen monsoon forests and near rivers, especially in dry and semi-arid zones. It is not cultivated, so the fruit is harvested directly from the trees in the forests.

Increasingly, the harvesting is greedy and brutal, with little regard for conserving the health of the tree. Organised gangs from nearby villages go into the forest and chop down entire branches of the trees in order to pluck the fruit off them. It is common to find the remnants of these cut branches left under the trees.

Last week, 50g of gal siyambala fetched Rs. 80 at Dehiwala, with vendors lamenting that the fruit’s rarity increased the price.

Decades ago, gal siyambala could be found in large heaps at roadside fruit stalls and markets from August, when its season begins. Blooms appear on the trees from February to April and the fruits come on the market from August to November.

“At the end of August we visited a forest patch in Siyambalanduwa,” said Dr. Ashan Geeganage, who lives in Moneragala and has been lucky enough to taste the fruit directly from the tree.

“We found several gal siyambala trees, but only two of them had fruit. The fruits on the other trees had been plucked and some of the trees were chopped up very badly,” he said.

The head of the Department of Crop Science at the University of Peradeniya, Professor D K N G Pushpakumara, said this kind of harvesting was destructive and affected the fruiting of the following year’s crop.

Velvet tamarind trees are also cut down for the value of their timber as they can grow 30m high.

The species is now classified as “vulnerable” to extinction. The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka: Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora, published by the Department of the Environment, lists 177 plants as “possible extinct” while a third of 3,154 species of Sri Lanka’s flora are listed as “threatened”.\

While the global IUCN status remain ‘Least Concern’; the tree had been pushed to ‘Vulnerable’ in National RedLIst 2012

Whip-tailed marine beauty spotted in Menik Ganga river

Yala is a paradise for spotted animals such as leopard and deer, but the spotty creature found last week in the Manik Ganga near Kosgasmankada was unusual. Published on SundayTimes on 26.08.2018 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180826/news/whip-tailed-beauty-spotted-in-yalas-menik-ganga-308087.html

A party having a dip in the river’s shallows found a long-tailed creature with a disc-shaped body patterned with many small dark spots or reticulations. From one end to the other, it was about 1 foot long. Biologist Rex I. De Silva identified the creature from a photograph sent to him by bather Geemal Harold as a honeycomb stingray or banded whiptail stingray (Himantura uarnak).“The honeycomb stingray is a common marine species in our coastal waters but finding one in freshwater is unusual,” Mr. De Silva said.

The stingray is named after the barbed stinger on its long tail, which is primarily used in self-defence. Rays and skates are flattened fish closely related to sharks. They do not have hard bones like other fish but a skeleton of flexible cartilage such as found in the human ear and nose.

Marine sharks and rays occasionally enter freshwater during spring tides, Mr. De Silva said. In times of drought, when river levels fall, seawater intrudes some distance up rivers at high and especially spring tides. Sharks and other marine species follow the seawater for a considerable distance upriver.

Shark sightings in the Menik Ganga have been recorded over the past 30 years but not sightings of rays.

The disc-shaped body of the honeycomb stingray found by Mr. Harold’s party was about 30.5cm (one foot) in diameter but the species can grow up to 2m (6.6 feet), so the one found in Yala would be a young stingray that decided to have an adventurous journey upstream.

The stingray’s tail, called “maduwa” in Sinhala, which can be three times its body length, was dried and used in olden times as a whip for punishment, the barbs on the tail inflicting great pain.

Shark spotted near warahana 2016 (c) Janaka Karunaratne

Rays are masters at bottom-dwelling. They have eyes on the top of their head/body and so relies on other senses in finding food (crustaceans, small fish, snails, shrimp etc.) on usually murky ocean beds.

Special organs on their face called ampulae allow them to navigate and find prey with electromagnetic signals.

Sadly, stingray numbers are in decline due to over-fishing, habitat loss and climate change. At present, 539 species of ray are on the International Union of Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of endangered species, with 107 classified as threatened. The honeycomb stingray is categorised as “vulnerable”, making this Yala sighting special.

Calls to protect Colombo’s urban wildlife as dead otter discovered near Parliament

World Otter Day falls on Wednesday (May 30); but an unfortunate otter inhabiting the marshes of Kotte, close to Parliament, did not live to see this day http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180527/news/calls-to-protect-colombos-urban-wildlife-as-dead-otter-discovered-near-parliament-295913.html. 

Environmentalists have asked motorists not to speed on the roads adjacent to urban marshland after the carcass of an otter was discovered close to the Parliament vehicle park and jogging track at the Kimbulawela junction recently.

Naturalist Rukmal Rathnayake who was one of the first to spot the dead mammal around 6.30 a.m. on May 19 said, “The otter was a well grown healthy female. There was blood on its body indicating it was hit by a speeding vehicle at night.”

Otters are known to inhabit the Kotte marshes and the nearby Thalangama lake and otter scats and paw marks have been sighted on the area’s muddy banks, but this shy, mainly nocturnal animal has never been spotted in this urban area. Sandun Bandara, Land Reclamation and Development Corporation’s Environmental Officer said that the otter that met her untimely death may have been inhabiting the Diyasaru Park.

Known as ‘dhiya balla’ in Sinhala the otter is a semi aquatic carnivorous mammal. There are 13 different species of otters found worldwide and the one found here is the eurasian otter, scientifically known as Lutra lutra.

No World Otter Day for her: The dead otter found close to Parliament

The eurasian otter has been categorised as ‘vulnerable to extinct’ by the National Red List of Threatened Fauna; but amazingly these elusive mammals still survive on the fringes of an urban city like Colombo.

Chair of the Otter Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Prof. Padma de Silva who has been studying the distribution of otters in Sri Lanka since 1988 said during the day these shy mammals are found in dense thickets of bush or fern close to water bodies. Pawmarks on streamside mud or droppings beside water bodies are the first signs of their presence. She said although Sri Lanka has a healthy population of otters, they were facing threats due to the ever increasing loss of wetland habitat.

Experts said incidents of otters being killed in road accidents have been recorded occasionally. In 2014, a dead otter was reported by Kithsiri Almeida in Puttalam while another one was reported in Udawalawe. However, they pointed out that the number of otters killed in road accidents could be higher as their carcasses are often mistakenly identified as civet or mongoose.

They said it was important to have over passes or under passes especially in urban wetland areas, known to be inhabited by otters and other wildlife, as they do in other countries, so that these animals could cross the road safely.

The experts also said it was important to protect the wildlife found in the remaining marshy areas in the outskirts of Colombo in Kotte, Thalawathugoda, and Kimbulawela. They said these areas still have quite a population of urban wildlife including rare nocturnal creatures such as the otter and fishing cat. Pointing out that although it was tempting to speed on these stretches of roads, especially at night, they urged motorists to be mindful when driving in these wetland areas and protect the urban wildlife that Colombo is still blessed with.

Otter killed in Puttalam 2014 (c) Kithsiri Almeida

Otter facts

With webbed feet and slender body; the otter’s body is well streamlined for a life in the water. Otters are supreme swimmers and are called ‘seals of freshwater’ says Asoka Yapa in his book ‘Mammals of Sri Lanka’. An otter in Horton Plains. Pic by Rajiv Welikala Otters are known to submerge themselves in water for five to eight minutes. They are also known to slow down their heart rate, so that they need less oxygen while underwater. An otter has two layers of fur: a dense undercoat that traps air and a topcoat of long, waterproof guard hairs that helps it to stay dry. Their main diet is fish, but the Otter also has cravings for crustaceans such as fresh water crabs. Prof. De Silva points out that they are opportunistic feeders. An otter’s rounded nose has whiskers above the lips and it is said that these can detect water current changes as well as the presence of prey or potential predators lurking in the water.

Porpoise completes Lanka’s full hand of cetacean wonders

Sri Lankan waters are home to 30 species of marine mammals, including dugongs, whales and dolphins. Now the remaining member of the cetacean group, the porpoise, officially joins this list.

Indo-Pacific finless porpoise washed ashore at Talaimannar (c) Department of Wildlife Conservation

The porpoise is a close relative of the dolphins; both look similar, with a shorter beak helping to distinguish the porpoise.

There are six species of porpoises in the world and researchers confirmed the kind found here is the Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenofides).

In a paper recently published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, researcher Ranil Nanayakkara writes that he first observed pods of Indo-Pacific finless porpoises during survey trips in 2014. In addition, a photograph by Sandaruwan Abeyratne showing a marine mammal washed ashore off Talaimannar beach, was identified as being of the same species.

The researchers continued obtaining records of dead specimens of Indo-Pacific finless porpoises, confirming their presence in our waters. The paper quotes local fishermen describing a marine mammal found near the islands of Adam’s Bridge as having features that match those of the porpoise.

“Their presence in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay is not surprising as habitats such as shallow estuaries and bays are ideal for these porpoise,” Mr. Nanayakkara said, adding that they were also present off the Indian coast, just 30km away.

Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoise swimming in Palk Bay (c) Ranil Nanayakkara

The lack of previous scientific records of the porpoise in Sri Lanka could have been due to the war that prevented researchers investigating in these areas, Mr. Nanayakkara added.

This is the only porpoise to lack a true dorsal fin. Instead, there is a low ridge covered in thick skin bearing several lines of tiny tubercles, according to literature. With 15-21 teeth in each jaw, the mammals also have, on average, fewer teeth than other porpoises. The flattened, spade-shaped teeth of porpoises distinguish them from the conical teeth of dolphins. Porpoises are not as acrobatic as dolphins but are quite active swimmers.

The Indo-Pacific finless porpoise is categorised as “vulnerable” to extinction in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Fauna and Flora which states that since this species remains in coastal waters there is a high degree of interaction with humans that often puts it at risk.

They are particularly vulnerable in Sri Lankan waters because they inhabit the heavily-used part of the Palk Bay where boat traffic and fishing pressures are high.

Many porpoises die after becoming entangled in nets. Illegal fishing pressure such as dynamiting and “Leila nets” that enable bottom purse-sein fishing also occur in these areas, posing a threat to the species, the researchers state.

The proposed Sethusamdram shipping canal project aimed at dredging the sea deeper could also pose a bigger threat to the species, Mr. Nanayakkara said.

The fact that this porpoise and other endangered species of marine mammals are regularly encountered off the southern coast of India indicates that a cross-boundary research initiative by Indian and Sri Lankan scientists focusing on the conservation of the species is essential, the researcher pointed out.

“We believe that through such an initiative a more holistic approach could be adopted when studying and conserving the species, which could then be expanded to encapsulate many other marine species and ecosystems,” Mr. Nanayakkara said.

Bizarre legged fish in Kalutara catch

The ocean still hides many secrets and some bizarre-looking creatures such as the strange fish with legs and a large mouth caught two weeks ago in a Kalutara fisherman’s net about 8km offshore. Residents of Kalutara alerted the Department of Wildlife Conservation about the strange creature and the department sent marine biologists photographs of it to obtain identification. Expert Ranil Nanayakkara identified it as the frog fish. Frogfish, which distantly resemble a typical fish, are about 2.5–38cm long and live at the bottom of the ocean. They are ambush predators that lay motionless on the seabed until the prey comes closer. They move slowly but strike extremely rapidly, sometimes in as little as six milliseconds, without giving chance of scape to unwary Frogfish have a stocky appearance and belong to the Antennarius genus that consists of 11 species. From the photograohs he had been sent, Mr. Nanayakkara tentatively identified the fish caught in Kalutara as the Indian frogfish, Antennarius indicus. Mr. Nanayakkara said he had seen frogfish in Kalpitiya, Hikkaduwa and Trincomalee. Published on SundayTimes on 11.02.2018 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180211/news/porpoise-completes-lankas-full-hand-of-cetacean-wonders-281496.html

විදිමින් පරිසරය, අරඹමු නව වසර කුරුලු ගී සමගින්

WISH YOU ALL A NATUREFUL NEW YEAR..!!!

Today is the last day of year 2017. I couldn’t write as much I wanted in year 2017; but managed to compile a weekly column for Vidusara titled ‘ගෙවත්තේ ජෛව විවිධත්වය’ (Biodiversity in Home Garden) since June. Aim 0f ‘ගෙවත්තේ ජෛව විවිධත්වය’ (Biodiversity in Homegarden) is to unravel the beauty of the biodiversity in our own backyard that often goes unnoticed. Herewith I’m posting its last column for year 2017.

Could there be a more refreshing way to welcome the New Year than listening to the ‘Dawn Chorus’..? Nature’s musicians present their symphonies every morning – but had we care to listen to them..? Atleast let’s welcome the new year listening to the dawn chorus – WISH YOU ALL A NATUREFUL NEW YEAR..!!!

Published on Vidusara on 27th of December 2017 http://www.vidusara.com/2017/12/27/feature3.html

මේ ගෙවෙන්නේ 2017 වසරේ අවසන් දින කිහිපයයි. ජුනි මාසයේ පටන් විදුසර සමග ඔබ වෙත ගෙන ආ “ගෙවත්තේ ජෛව විවිධත්වය.” තුළින් අද ඉදිරිපත් කරන්නේ ඔබ අවට පරිසරයේ අසිරිය විදිමින් නව වසර පිළිගැනීමට කරන ඇරයුමකි.

නව වසරක්‌ පිළිගැනීමට සමහරු රතිඤ්ඤා දල්වති. මැදියම් රැයේ නිදි වරාගෙන රතිඤ්ඤා දල්වනු වෙනුවට ජනවාරි පළමු වැනි දින උදැසන මදක්‌ කලින් නැගිට උදා වූ නව වසරේ පළමු හිමිදිරිය ගෙවත්තේ පාරිසරක අසිරියත් සමග ගෙවන්නට හැකි නම් අපූරුයි නේ ද..?

අප එතරම් අවධානය නො දැක්‌වුවත් හිමිදිරියේ කුරුල්ලන් ඉදිරිපත් කරන කුරුලු ගී සංවනිය පරිසරයේ දක්‌නට හැකි අපූරු ම සංසිද්ධියකි. වාද්‍ය භාණ්‌ඩ විශාල ප්‍රමාණයක්‌ භාවිතයෙන් ලෝකයේ ප්‍රසිද්ධ සංගිතඥයන් විසින් ඉදිරිපත් කෙරෙන සංවනියකට (Musical Symphony)ත් වඩා කුරුල්ලන් සැම උදෑසනක ම ඉදිරිපත් කරන සංවනිය විවිධත්වයකින් යුතු ය. මෙය Dawn Chorus ලෙස ඉංගිරිසියෙන් හදුන්වන අතර සාමාන්‍යයෙන් උදෑසන 5.30 පටන් 6.30 පමණ වන තෙක්‌ ඔබට අත්විදිය හැකි ය.

උදා සංවනියේ දි ඔබට කුරුලු ගීත (songs) මෙන් ම හැඩලීම් (calls) ද ඇසිය හැකි වනු ඇත. හැඩලීම හෙවත් නාදය යනු කුරුල්ලන් ගේ සාමාන්‍ය කෑගැසීමයි. නොකඩවා කරගෙන යන හැඩලීම් එකතුවක්‌ ගීතයක්‌ ලෙස සැලකේ. මෙයට හොඳ ම උදාහරණය කොහා ය. සුවදි සමයේ දී (මූලිකව ම අප්‍රේල් ආසන්නයේ) තම ගීතය ගයන කොහා, වෙනත් කාලවල දී නාද කරයි. ගීතය ඉතා ම කන්කලු වුවත්, කොහා ගේ හැඩලීම නම් තරමක්‌ කර්කෂ උස්‌ හඩකි. කුරුලු ගිතය මූලිකව ම සන්නිවේදනය සදහා භාවිත වේ.

වසම් වෙන් කරගෙන (Territory) ඒවා ආරක්‌ෂා කරන පොල්කිච්චා වැනි කුරුල්ලන් උදෑසන ගී ගයන්නේ එම ප්‍රදේශයේ ඇති උස ම ස්‌ථානයේ සිට ය. ඉතින් ඇයි කුරුල්ලන් උදෑසන ම ගී ගයන්නේ..? ” මේ බොහෝ දෙනකුට ඇති ප්‍රශ්නයකි. උදෑසන වාතයේ ගණත්වය ඉහළ නිසා සහ සාමාන්‍යයෙන් හිමිදිරිය නිශ්ශබ්ද වීමත් නිසා ගයන ගීය වැඩි ඈතකට ඇසීමට ඇති ඉඩ වැඩි හෙයින් කුරුල්ලන් උදෑසන තම ගී ගැයීමට තෝරාගත් බව වඩාත් පිළිගත් මතයයි.

මේ ලිපිය ලියන්නට පටන්ගත්තේ දෙසැම්බර් 20 වැනි දා උදෑසන අප ගෙවත්ත අසල කුරුලු ගී සන්ධවනියට සවන් දෙමිනි. මා උදා කුරුලු සංවනියේ (Dawn Chorus) විදි අපූර්වත්වය එලෙස ම ඔබට ඉදිරිපත් කරන්නේ, සැම දා අප අවට ගැයෙන මේ ගී රාවයට අඩු තරමේ නව වසරේ පළමු හිමිදිරියේ වත් අවධානය යොමු කිරීමේ වැදගත් කම පෙන්වා දීමට ය.

මා උදා සංවනියට කන් යොමන්නට පටන්ගත්තේ 5.45ට පමණ ය. මුලින් ම ඈතින් ඇසුණේ කොහා ගේ නාදයකි. එයට ප්‍රතිචාර ලෙස, අපේ ගෙවත්ත අසල ම ගසක සිටි කොහෙකු, මහා හඩින් නද දුන්නේ ය. මෙසේ අප අවට සිටි අඩු තරමේ කොහා 4 දෙනකු වත්, මේ දුර සිට කෙරුණු කථා බහට එකතු වූයේ රාත්‍රියේ පැලට වී හේන් මුර කළ ගොවියන් ඈත පැල්වල සිටින තම මිතුරන් සමග උස්‌ හඩින් කරන පිළිසදරක්‌ ලෙසිනි.

මේ අතර මයිනන් එකා දෙන්නා ඔවුනොවුන් අතර කෙටි නාද මගින් පණිවිඩ හුවමාරු කරගන්නට පටන්ගනු ඇසිණි. උදැසන 6 වන විට මේ සංවනිය උච්ච ස්‌ථානයකට පත් විය. ආසන්නයේ ම ඇසුණු මයිනන් ගේ ඝෝෂාවට තවත් සාමාජිකයන් එකතු වනවා හොදින් ම ඇසිණි. ඈතින් ගිරවුන් රංචුවක්‌ පියඹා ගියේ තාලයකට නද දෙමිනි. පිළිහුඩුවකු කන් පසා කරන තම කර්කෂ නාදය නගාගෙන අප ගෙවත්ත මැදින් ම පියඹා යනු ඇසිණි.

(ඡායාරුපය සචිවනී කොඩිප්පිලි)

6.10: දැන් නම් මයිනන් ගේ නද හොඳට ම වැඩි ය. අප ප්‍රදේශය අසලින් යන ඇළ මාර්ගය ඔස්‌සේ සැන්දෑ කාලයේ දී මයිනන් මෙන් ම කොකුන් ද විශාල සංඛ්‍යාවක්‌ උන් ගේ රාත්‍රි නවාතැන් බලා පියඹා යන අතර සැම උදෑසනක ම මේ කුරුල්ලෝ නැවත තම තමන් ආහාර සොයාගන්නා තැන්වල ස්‌ථානගත වීමට අපේ ගෙවත්ත පෙනෙන මානයේ ඉහළින් පියඹා යති. මෙසේ ගමන් ගන්නා මයිනන් ආසන්නයේ තිබෙන පාසලේ තෙමහල් ගොඩනැගිල්ලේ වහලේ මදක්‌ නැවතී ආ ගිය තොරතුරු අසන්නට මෙන් විනාඩි කිහිපයක්‌ ගත කර පියඹා යනවා මා ඇස ගැටුණේ මයිනන් විශාල ප්‍රමාණයක ගේ ශබ්දය එන ඉසව්ව නිරික්‌ෂණය කිරීමේ දී ය.

6.15: ඈතින් අසුණේ කොරවක්‌කකු ගේ කෙකර ගෑමකි. වෙන දා නො ඇසුණත් අද අවධානය යොමු කළ නිසා මේ කොරවක්‌කා ගේ හඩ ඇසුණා වන්නට පුළුවන. තවත් ගිරවුන් රංචුවක්‌ පියඹා ගිය අතර, ඉන් ගිරවුන් දෙදෙනෙක්‌ අසල ගසක වැසූ හ. අළු කොබෙයියන් ගේ නාදයත් අවට පරිසරයෙන් නිතර ඇසෙන්නට පටන්ගති.

6.20: අප ගෙවත්ත අසල ම පිළිහුඩුවන් ගේ ආරෝවක්‌ ඇසිණි. එය නිරීක්‌ෂණය කිරීමට ගිය මා දුටුවේ ළය – සුදු පිළිහුඩුවන් තිදෙනකු ගේ සංදර්ශනයකි. අහසේ කණ කොකා, බ්‍රාහ්මණ පියාකුසුස්‌සා මෙන් ම කපුටෙක්‌ ද නාද කරමින් පියඹා ගිය හ.

6.25: දැන් මයිනන් ගේ නාදය ඇසෙන්නේ ඉඳ හිට ය. අසල ගොඩනැගිල්ලේ වහලයේ වැසූ මයිනන් සියල්ල දැන් විසිර ගොස්‌ ය. ඒ අඩුව පිරවීමට මෙන් තරමක්‌ ඈතින් පොලොස්‌ කොට්‌ටෝරුවෙක්‌ තාලයට ගීතයක්‌ ආරම්භ කළේ ය. ළග ගසක රත් මූණත් කොට්‌ටෝරුවකු ද හෙමිහිට නාද කරනවා ඇසිණි.

6.30: සති කිහිපයක ම සිට අප ගෙවත්ත අසලින් නාද කරන ආසියා රැහැන් මාරාවා ද හඩ නගමින් අත්තෙන් අත්තට පනිනවා ඇසුණේ අසල්වැසි ගෙවත්තේ ගසක සිට ය. එක්‌වර ම මා ඉදිරියෙන් පියඹා ගිය මේ සුදු-රෙදි හොරා මා ඉදිරියේ තිබූ ඇන්ටෙනාවේ වැසුවේ මා ඉමහත් සතුටට පත් කරමිනි. ඒ ඇත්තට ම මේ වසරේ ගෙවත්තේ දුටු සුවිශේෂ ම නිරීක්‌ෂණ වූයේ ඒ රැහැන් මාරාවා වර්ණ මාරු කරන අවස්‌ථාවේ සිටි තරුණ කුරුල්ලකු නිසා ය. (ලබන සතියේ නිහරියකු වූ ආසියා රැහැන් මාරා පිළිබද ව කියවමු)

6.40: අසල තිබූ බෝ ගසට පියඹා යමින් විශාල මොණරකු නිකුත් කළ මහා හඩ උදෑසන කුරුලු ගී නදට නව මානයක්‌ එක්‌ කළේ ය.

6.45: පිළිහුඩු සංදර්ශනය තවමත් කෙරෙන්නේ විටෙක මහා හඩින් නද කරමිනි. සුදු ඇලි කොකෙකු ද ඒ අවට ගැවසුණේ තම උදෑසන ආහාරය සොයාගැනීමට ය.

ඉහත දැක්‌වූයේ දෙසැම්බර් 20 වැනි දා උදෑසන 5.45 සිට 6.45 දක්‌වා මා ගේ ගෙවත්තේ සිට කෙරුණු කුරුලු නිරීක්‌ෂණයන් ය. මෙදින උදෑසන කුරුලු සංවනිය විචිත්‍රවත් කළ ප්‍රධාන ගායකයන් වූයේ මයිනා, කොහා, රෑන ගිරවා, පොලොස්‌ කොට්‌ටෝරුවා, රත් මූණත් කොට්‌ටෝරුවා, අළු කොබෙයියා, ආසියා

රැහැන්මාරා හා බට්‌ටිච්චා ය. මීට අමතරව පැණි කුරුල්ලා, වී කුරුල්ලා, බ්‍රාහ්මන පියාකුස්‌සා, මොණරා, කණ කොකා, සුදු ඇලි කොකා, කොරවක්‌කා, කාක්‌කා, වී කුරුල්ලා ඉඳහිට නාද කරමින් සන්වනියට එක්‌ වූ හ.

කුරුල්ලකු නො වුණත්, එහෙ මෙහෙ දුවමින් කලබලයෙන් කළ ලේනුන් ගේ “ටින් ටින්.” නාදය ද සංවනිය තවත් සජීවී කරවී ය. සාමාන්‍යයෙන් ඉතා ම මිහිරි ගීයක්‌ ගයන පොල්කිච්චා නම් එදින සංවනියට එක්‌ නො වී ය. දෙමළිච්චන් මෙන් ම කොණ්‌ඩ කුරුල්ලන් ගේ නද ද මේ උදෑසන දී අසන්නට නො ලැබිණි.

මීට අමතර ව හිමිදිරියේ ගෙවත්තේ නිරීක්‌ෂණය නිසා පරිසරයේ අපූර්වත්වය නිරීක්‌ෂණයට ද මට අවස්‌ථාව ලැබිණි. කලාතුරකින් දක්‌නට ලැබෙන දේදුන්නක්‌ ද පායා තිබුණේ නව වසරට සුබ පතන්නාක්‌ මෙනි. පින්නෙන් බර ව උදා හිරු එළිය පතිත වූ පරිසරය ම හිමිදිරියේ දී මේ දිනවල ඇත්තේ අමුතු චමත්කාරයකි.

ඉතින් එළඹෙන නව වසර උදා කුරුලු සංවනියට සවන් යොමමින්, ගෙවත්තේ පරිසරය අත්විදිමින් පිළිගන්නට ඔබටත් ආරාධනා කරන්නෙමු. ඔබ ගේ නිරීක්‌ෂණයන් ද සටහන් කර අප වෙත එවන්න.

ඔබට සුබ නව වසරක්‌ වේ වා..!!  

Roadkill leads to discovery of burrowing snake

A new burrowing snake was added to the list of species endemic to Sri Lanka when International Day of Biological Diversity was marked on Monday, strengthening the country’s image as a biodiversity hotspot.

Mendis Wickremasinghe

A new non-venomous ‘shield tailed snake’ that lives under the soil was discovered from the Badulla District. The scientific paper describing this new species appeared in prestigious scientific journal ZooTaxa.

The new species is yet another discovery by veteran herpetologist Mendis Wickremasinghe, who recalls that he first saw the snake as a single roadkill specimen in 1999 in Beragala. Later, during an island-wide herpetology survey, Mr Wickremasinghe decided to search the area.

The researchers dug randomly selected locations that are habitats for such species. They got lucky and found a snake hidden under the soil layer of a banana plant of a home garden in 2010. The snake was found about 15 centimetres deep and had a highly-modified head, bearing a blade-like rostral scale for burrowing.

Mr. Wickremasinghe said about 30 individuals could be observed during subsequent visits to the same locations. More such snakes were observed from the same locality and in suburban areas like Haldummulla with some of them seen moving above ground at night.

The new snake belongs to a group called rhinophis. It was named rhinophis roshanpererai to honour the late Roshan Perera, who was an instructor of the reptiles group of the Young Zoologist’s Association of Sri Lanka in recognition of his dedicated services to wildlife conservation.

With the new discovery, this rhinophis genus now has 20 such snake species with 16 of them found in Sri Lanka that are endemic to the country. The other four snakes are endemic to India. Three of these Sri Lankan species have been recently described in 2009 and 2011. Mr Wickremasinghe said there could be more snake species that belongs to this group, emphasising need for more studies.

Dulan Ranga Vidanapathirana and Gehan Rajeev too assisted in this new finding. Mr Wickremasinghe also thanked the principal sponsors, Dilmah Conservation.

New gecko species with black markings A new species of gecko, too, joined the list of Sri Lankan species last month. This creature lives in the Knuckles range and was previously confused with a similar gecko species. The researchers Sudesh Batuwita and Sampath Udugampala extensively studied the features of these geckos and established the identity of the new species. They named it cnemaspis kandambyi.The gecko has distinct black markings on the nape and a black lateral stripe begins behind the eye and extends laterally beyond the origin of the forearm.The species was named in honour of Dharma Sri Kandamby, the former curator of the vertebrate section of the National Museum of Sri Lanka, for his contributions to the herpetology and for his guidance to a number of researchers.

Published on 28.05.2017 on SundayTimes http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170528/news/roadkill-leads-to-discovery-of-burrowing-snake-242678.html

Threatened dugongs thrown a lifeline

The dugong is the most threatened marine mammal likely to disappear from our waters, but there are efforts to save the species reports Malaka Rodrigo. Published on SundayTimes on 26.03.2017  http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170326/news/threatened-dugongs-thrown-a-lifeline-234096.html

A Dugong (Dugong dugon) swims in the Red Sea (c) Fergus Kenedy

Thirteen dugongs were killed last year, according an informal survey in the North Western coastal areas by marine activists. This is one dugong killed every month and considering their rarity, is worrying, says Prasanna Weerakkody of Ocean Resources Conservation Association.

A dugong washed ashore on Nadukuda beach in December, 2016 (c) ORCA

The latest dugong deaths occurred December last year. A carcass was found on Nadukuda beach in Mannar. A few weeks earlier, another carcass washed ashore near Thavilpadu beach. Fishing activities using explosives are common in the nearby Vankalai Coral Reef and marine activists initially thought dynamite had killed the dugong found in Nadukuda.

“Through informal discussions with fishermen, we found out that one dugong had been trapped in a net. The fishermen knew it was illegal to pull it ashore and had it anchored under water to collect it when the navy is not around. But the carcass got loose and washed ashore,” revealed Weerakkody. There could be many other dugong deaths that go unreported, he said.

Dugongs are also called mermaids of the sea because some sightings of mermaids are actually misidentified dugongs seen from afar

The dugong is also known as the ‘sea cow’ for its habit of grazing on the seagrasses on the ocean bed. Seagrass is different from seaweeds (which is an algae) and are actually more closely related to the flowering plants with roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds. Seagrasses can form dense underwater meadows and an adult dugong consumes as much as 45 kg seagrass according to experts.

Dugongs are vulnerable to extinction because they are killed directly or indirectly by human-related activities, which include fishing, coastal development and hunting. The seagrasses on which they depend are thought to be one of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth.

In 2015, the “Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project” was initiated to improve protection and conservation of dugongs and their seagrass habitats around the world, said United Nation’s Environment Program (UNEP)’s Max Zieren who recently visited Sri Lanka. Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste and Vanuatu is part of the project, which is the first coordinated effort, he added.

In Sri Lanka, the project focuses on the northwest region, namely the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay where dugongs have been recorded. The project is coordinated by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and eight other partner organisations are supporting.

Sugath Emmanuel, local fisherman and diver in Kalpitiya, said he had not seen a dugong alive. He recalled eating dugong flesh during his childhood, in an area where many dugongs were caught. The flesh was considered a local delicacy. Hundreds of dugongs were killed before it was outlawed in the 1970s. Now, about 90 percent of the dugong killings are accidental or by-catch.  

Dugongs are categorised as ‘vulnerable’ in IUCN’s threatened species list considering global populations, but they can be ‘critically endangered’ in Sri Lankan waters, says Arjan Rajasuriya, project manager of International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He has been diving for the past 30 years, but has yet to see a dugong alive.

IUCN’s responsibility in the project aims at establishing an additional 10,000 hectares of marine protected area in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. Rajasuriya says dynamite fishing should be halted.

The project also aims to raise awareness among people and also give incentives to abandon illegal fishing methods. Project partner, Sri Lanka Turtle Conservation Project, is seeking to reduce the negative impact of destructive fishing practices on seagrass habitats and provide income generation opportunities to local communities in return for their commitments for the prudent use of habitat and natural resources in the Puttlam lagoon.

The Biodiversity Education and Research NGO has taken on the education aspect of the project, especially targeting schools. Ranil Nanayakkara, who heads the group, says the response from school children has been positive.

The overall project is financed by Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP / UN Environment)  supports its implementation together with the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and their Habitats throughout their Range of the Convention on Migratory Species.

Dr Lakshman Peiris, who is the project manager of DWC, said the Wildlife Department was focused on addressing marine issues with the establishment of a special unit.

The Sunday Times also asked Peiris what will happen after the four-year project ends in 2018. “The project will give us lots of information. We will create a management plan and will make sure its implementation together with other strategic partners such as Department of Fisheries, Coast Conservation & Coastal Resources Management Department, and the Marine Environment Protection Authority. The Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard can give us lots of support by monitoring and stopping illegal activities,’’ Peiris added.

Dugongs are also found in the Indian part of the Gulf of Mannar, but unfortunately India is not part of the project. Marine biologists say India too needs to get on board. Peiris of the DWC said plans are underway to increase coordination between two countries.

Marine biologists also stress the need for action, once a strategy to save the dugongs are made. “Since the dugong is a charismatic species, we can use activities geared to protecting it to also help us to provide a refuge for other threatened marine creatures,” marine expert Rajasuriya said.

Experts gather to discuss future of Dugongs  The third Meeting of Signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Dugongs and their habitats (Dugong MOU) was held last week in Abu-dhabi. A number of DWC and NARA officials participated at the meeting representing Sri Lanka that signed the Dugong MOU on 2012. IUCN’s Sirenia Specialist Group (dugongs and manatees)’s Sri Lankan representative Ranil Nanayakkara said the gathering provided a good platform to learn about conservation initiatives used by experts in other countries

Surveying Seagrass habitats

Tech tools track dugongs The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency has developed seagrass mapping methodology and is doing research to produce seagrass maps on distribution, species composition, density and status, and threats in Mannar, Palk Bay and Palk Strait. Prasanna Weerakkody says sonar is being used to identify seagrass beds. These are then mapped and what varieties of seagrass available in that area is marked. The Ocean Resources Conservation Association team is using drones above shallow waters to map the areas. “We particularly focus on areas in which fishermen say they had seen dugongs in the past,’’ Weerakkody said. “To conserve, we first need to know where dugongs are.’’ He says informal investigations are necessary to find out where dugongs are being caught. DWC’s Channa Suraweera showed us a new mobile app they had developed to get more records of exact dugong sightings. When a dugong is seen, a fisherman who has the mobile app can record its exact GPS location while taking a photo at the same time. Mannar Dugong carcass washed ashore in November, 2016

Dugong also attracts tourists

Humphead wrasse killing stirs calls for protection and spearfishing ban

Declare the endangered humphead wrasse as a protected species in Sri Lanka and ban spearfishing, researchers of aquatic resources, diving groups and conservationists demand. An environment lawyer says spearfishing can be banned under existing laws.

Outrage grew after pictures emerged showing a human-sized humphead wrasse, (Cheilinus undulates) also known as Napoleon wrasse, being hauled ashore after being killed. This fish, with its thick lips and a hump on its head, is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is also regarded as a delicacy by the Chinese especially in Hong Kong where it fetches upwards of  Rs 45,000 a kilo. This coral reef fish must be in demand in Chinese restaurants in the island as well.

The fish can grow up to six feet and can weigh up to 190 kilograms. It can live up to 30 years, but many are killed before they reach maturity.

Humphead wrasse is a popular target of spear fishermen.

In Unawatuna, a dive centre that mainly caters to Russians is allowing spearfishing which destroys many large marine species, marine activists say.

“In the case of the Unawatuna incident, the fish was speared outside the protected area and the law doesn’t ban hunting of humphead wrasse. So, we are unable to take any action against them,” said Channa Suraweera of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. He oversees marine affairs.

While hunting of wild animals on land is illegal, fish is treated as a food source, irrespective of the threat levels various fish species face.

Dr Sisira Haputantri of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency said the agency will be recommending to the Fisheries Department that the humphead wrasse be made a protected species. But that will only be a start as monitoring whether the fish is being hunted is difficult.

Large coral fish such as the humphead wrass are threatened in other areas of the island as well.

In 2013, the Sunday Times  exposed the danger to the humphead wrasse particularly in Kalpitiya area where divers who dive for chank and sea cucumber also target the giant fish. They kill the fish even if it takes cover in underwater caves.

In times past, free divers engaged in spearfishing. They can stay underwater only for a limited time. But scuba gear allows divers to continue spear fishing for longer. “Scuba gear allows a diver to stay under water for long periods and chase a target fish. Most of the mature humphead wrasse in our reefs have already been hunted and large specimens such as the one that had been speared in Unawatuna are rare. Only a handful of individual fish that flee at the sight of a diver are survivors,’’ said researcher Arjan Rajasuriya, Coordinator, Coastal & Marine Programme IUCN Sri Lanka.

Dr Malik Fernando, who is a founder member of the Sri Lanka Sub-Aqua Club, a diving club, recalls how wild animals once heavily hunted in colonial times, have become a source of pride and joy in the island once they are protected.

“The land animals once hunted by a few brought wonder and joy to many, such as those who ventured into wild places and protected areas in search of them. Visiting wildlife parks became a major recreational activity and a source of income for the Government. What we are proposing for the marine environment is an extension of what has been done on land: the conservation of a threatened group of animals (fishes) that would otherwise likely disappear from our waters,” Dr Fernando writes in an appeal.

The Sri Lanka Sub-Aqua Club sent the appeal to the Minister of Fisheries in May 2015 outlining reasons for a ban on spearfishing.

Large Hump-head Wrasse speared in Unawatuna

“This proposal would certainly inconvenience a few people. But we are confident that those who would be affected do not depend exclusively on spearing fish or renting spear fishing equipment for their existence. Like the hunters in days gone by, they will learn to live with the new rules. The result will be that the seas around Sri Lanka will once more be home to really large giant groupers and family groups of the humphead wrasse,” he observes.

“Removal of large coral fish could be detrimental to the whole coral ecosystem affecting other species as well. For example, the humphead wrasse feed on crown-of-thorn starfish that destroys coral reefs,’’ said marine researcher Rajasuriya. Also large fish such as the tomato grouper help maintain the holes in low relief reefs where the scarlet shrimp and painted shrimp take shelter. These shrimps are high value items in the ornamental fish trade and without the large fish the shrimp populations would die out and adversely impact the sustainability of the business.

The Sub-Aqua Club has appealed to the Minister of Fisheries to protect 15 large coral fish.

Environment lawyer Jagath Gunawardane said spearfishing can be banned under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act section 28, listing the equipment under the illegal gear.

The marine experts also highlight the importance of banning illegal fishing practices such as dynamiting and bottom trawling.

A diver with giant Hump-head wrasse (c) www2.padi.com

Groupers too threatened due to spearfishing 

Not only the Hump-head Wrasse, but some other large coral fish such as Groupers are threatened due to spearfishing and other illegal destructive fishing methods. So Sub-Aqua Club in their appeal to the fisheries minister to take actions, lists following coral fish to be protected. 

 

Humphead Wrasse

Cheilinus undulatus

Endangered

 

Tomato Grouper	Cephalopholis sonnerati	Least Concern
Whitespotted grouper	Epinephelus caeruleopunctatus	Least Concern
Blue and yellow grouper	Epinephelus flavocaeruleus	Least Concern
Brown-marbled grouper	Epinephelus fuscoguttatus	Near Threatened
Giant grouper	Epinephelus lanceolatus	Vulnerable
Malabar grouper	Epinephelus malabaricus	Near Threatened
Camouflage grouper	Epinephelus polyphekadion	Near Threatened
wavy-lined grouper	Epinephelus undulosus	Data Deficient
saddle grouper	Plectropomus laevis	Vulnerable
leopard coral grouper	Plectropomus leopardus	Near Threatened
Roving coralgrouper	Plectropomus pessuliferus	Near Threatened
Yellow-edged lyretail	Variola louti	Least Concern
Lyretail Grouper	Variola albimaginata	Least Concern

two-striped sweetlips

Plectorhinchus albovittatus

Not Evaluated

Tomato Grouper – threatened by spearfishing

Blue and Yellow Grouper

Giant Grouper

Published on SundayTimes on 29.01.2017 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170129/news/humphead-wrasse-killing-stirs-calls-for-protection-and-spearfishing-ban-226444.html

 

Projects endanger remaining forest cover

Forestry officials responding to recent reports of large-scale destruction of land in Wilpattu National Park deny such damage, while environmentalists charge that deforestation is widespread in the country.

The Conservator General of Forests, Anura Sathurusinghe, denied the existence of new large-scale clearances of forest cover around Wilpattu. “We have taken action against a party who cleared a forest land recently, but it is a small plot. The large-scale clearances that are being referred to took place in 2014,” he said.

Not only forests adjacent to Wilpattu – forests are under pressure everywhere in Sri Lanka.

Commentary on social media erupted recently over clearing of forest land north of Wilpattu National Park for settlements. Since then, a presidential task force has been mandated to investigate.

Sathurisinghe said a survey will be undertaken in Mannar with the intention to declare a wildlife reserve. “Once the area is declared a wildlife reserve, then these settlements too will have to be removed,” he said. The forest lands had been released by the previous government for settlements. But environmentalists say it was illegal and the incumbent Government could act on that basis.

“We should also focus our energies to stop forest clearances in other areas as well,” said Hemantha Withanage of the Centre of Environment Justice. He observes that there is great pressure on officials to release forest land for so-called ‘development’ projects. “So it is important to be vigilant. Forests in the North and East will face a lot of pressure because of development.’’

A recent study, “Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Sri Lanka” done under REDD+ Sri Lanka (REDD stands for ‘Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation’) identifies three key contributory factors for deforestation —  encroachments, infrastructure development projects, and private agriculture
ventures.

There are other factors, too. Tree Felling – illicit or otherwise, cultivations, non-timber forest product gathering such as ‘walla patta’, cattle grazing, forest fires, gem mining are among factors that trigger the degradation of forests.

A recent survey by the Forest Department also found out that forest degradation does not necessarily involve a reduction of the forest area, instead it leads to the decline of the quality of the forests.

The REDD report indicates that several factors promote deforestation and degradation. There are plenty of examples where encroachments are made acceptable when governments give permanent deeds, specially ahead of elections. Weak enforcement and monitoring capability, poor coordination among agencies, demands due to population growth are some other reasons. However, political interference has been a major factor in deforestation, according to the report.

Land is needed for development and human settlements. But it is important to identify already degraded lands without sacrificing biodiversity rich forests environmentalists warn. The cost of losing the forest cover could be greater than the monetary value of a project, they say. “Doesa  a strategic assessment and identify zones with degraded lands without rushing to axe forests,” Withanage of the CEJ urges.

Yet more trees to be ripped up under Chinese deal  More of Sri Lanka’s forest land is being marked out for ripping up under irrigation projects. The Sunday Times learns that a large area of forest cover is expected to be sacrificed for the Maduru Oya right bank development project due to begin this year. Maduru Oya is one of the major reservoirs built under the accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme of 1982 that planned to develop 39,000 hectares of agricultural lands in the Mahaweli ‘B’ zone in Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa Districts. While its left bank ‘developments’ have been completed, due to lack of funds, work on right bank projects did not begin. Under the ‘Reawakening Polonnaruwa’ program the work is being revived. President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment, made a proposal to the cabinet last September. Accordingly, the Maduru Oya right bank project aims to develop drinking water supplies, irrigation, and infrastructure for the socio-economic development in Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa Districts. The project will be financed with loans from the Chinese EximBank and the US$475 million (Rs 70.45 billion) engineering contract was signed last October between the state-owned China CAMC Engineering and the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and the Environment. Conservationists say the project would worsen environmental degradation. The former director general of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Sumith Pilapitiya, points out that at least 18,000 hectares of forest land would be destroyed for new settlements and agriculture. “The President, as the Minister of Environment talks about increasing forest cover in Sri Lanka to 30%, while as Minister of Mahaweli Development, his ministry is destroying over 18,000 hectares of forest lands. The loss of this forest land will certainly aggravate the human-elephant conflict, with elephants guaranteed to destroy crops brought under cultivation under the Maduru Oya right bank development project,” Dr.Pilapitiya said. There are no winners in such ill-conceived projects. The country loses forest cover, the elephants lose their habitat, settlements are subject to human elephant conflict and farmers are affected when elephants raid their crops.  So why are we undertaking such a project?’’ Dr.Pilapitiya ponders. There are examples from the past. There were no winners in the Walawe left bank development project, he notes. “We fool ourselves by making statements such as Sri Lanka is going to increase her forest cover to 30% and destroying what little forest cover we have,’’ Dr Pilapitiya said.

The slithery unwelcome stranger and a pipe snake that escaped death

The Pipe Snake rescued from Deniyaya. Pic by Minuwan Shri Premasinghe

Holidaymakers in Nuwara Eliya this season were in for a rude shock when a strange slithery visitor was spotted at the iconic Lake Gregory e. Many who flocked there suggested it could be a Cobra and a confirmation later by snake experts that it was infact a juvenile cobra caused shivers that had nothing to do with the weather, to many.

“But if you leave a Cobra alone you don’t need to worry,” said one expert. Although the Cobra (Naja naja) is a lethally venomous snake, it attacks only as a last resort when being cornered or accidentally stepped on. The Cobra when threatened will first display its hood and make a hissing sound in an attempt to scare away intruders. The one found in Nuwara Eliya was a juvenile cobra according to experts.

However, it is not common to find a Cobra in Nuwara Eliya and its environs as many snake species cannot withstand cold weather. “I have never encountered a Cobra in Nuwara Eliya,” said Herpetologist Dr.Anslem de Silva who has conducted many reptile surveys islandwide. Only rough-sided snakes belonging to the genus Aspidura and rat snakes are usually found in cold environments such as Nuwara Eliya.

Our Nuwara Eliya correspondent, Shelton Hettiarachchi said residents believe the Cobra may have ended up there in a goods vehicle from some other part in the country.

Meanwhile, the sighting of a pipe snake has also been reported. Minuwan Shri Premasinghe had sighted this unusual reptile on his way to the Sinharaja rainforest. The Pipe snake in Sinhala is known as the ‘Depath Naya’ with ‘Naya’ meaning ‘Cobra’ and ‘depath’ meaning ‘heads on both ends’ of the body. The Sinhala name was given by locals on observing the Pipe snake’s behaviour when it was agitated– it flattens the lower part of its body and points the tail forward. In this position, the ventral pattern appears like two large eyes with the cloacae appearing like an open mouth.

While making its tail erect the Pipe Snake also tugs its head under the body when facing a predator. This is a defence mechanism where the snake warns potential predators not to come closer. If the predator undeterred by the warning decides to attack, it first targets the ‘fake head’ which is in fact the ‘erect tail’. This gives the pipe snake a vital fraction of time to escape. Even if the tail is injured, it is not as severe than an injury to the head, which is vital for the snake’s survival.

The Pipe Snake is a nocturnal creature and Mr. Premasinghe had seen the snake at around 10 p.m. at Deniyaya. The pipe snake was nearly killed by mortified villagers who tried to attack it with wooden poles and iron rods.

The cobra spotted in Nuwara Eliya. Pic by Shelton Hettiarachchie

“The Pipe snake is a harmless non-venomous reptile and this one was nearly killed by terrified villagers. Only a handful of Sri Lankan snakes are lethally venomous, so innocent snakes too get killed as people do not knowto identify snakes,” said Mr.Premasinghe who pointed out the importance of educating villagers, particularly those living close to biodiversity rich areas such as the Sinharaha forest. Mr. Premasinghe released the Pipe Snake to the rainforest the next day.

The Pipe Snake scientifically categorised as Cylindrophis maculatus is in fact the first reptile described from Sri Lanka in 1754. It is also special as the snake was introduced to the scientific world by Carl Linnaeus who is known as the “Father of Taxonomy”– for formalising the modern system of naming organisms called binomial nomenclature in 1754.

Dr.De Silva states that the average length of a Pipe Snake is 500 mm. The longest Ceylon pipe snake spotted so far has been a 715 mm long female recorded from Deraniyagala in 1955, according to a book written by Dr.De Silva.

Published on SundayTimes on 01.01.2017 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170101/news/the-slithery-unwelcome-stranger-and-a-pipe-snake-that-escaped-death-222494.html

Whiskered native – handle with care

New Catfish Mystus nanus

In this season of giving, scientists studying biodiversity at the University of Peradeniya have offered Sri Lanka a gift that generations will want to remember – two new species of catfish endemic to the island.

One specimen is scientifically named as Mystus nanus with its latin name ‘nanus’ meaning ‘dwarf’ as the fish is comparatively small, growing between 8 centimeters and 10 cm. The other, is named as Ompok argestes, where ‘argestes’ refers to its range meaning ‘southwest’ indicating its presence in the southern wet zone.

Both these catfish were earlier thought to be native to Sri Lanka and India, but based on scientific findings, researcher Hiranya Sudasinghe determined they are separate species. The species in Sri Lanka only inhabits the island. Sudasinghe told the Sunday Times that he had visited South India to study the Indian catfish in same area where these species had been first detected.

Experts Rohan Pethiyagoda, Dr Kalana Maduwage, and Dr Madhava Meegaskumbura assisted the researchers. Studies also established the existence of another catfish species named Callichrous ceylonensis, earlier identified as a different species.

New Catfish Ompok argestes

Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish, with their fins being webs of skin supported by bony or horny spines. Catfish have two or four pairs of barbels and its resemblance to cat’s whiskers resulted in them being called that name. They inhabit the dark depths of rivers and muddy environments. They are also mostly nocturnal carnivores.

There are nearly 3,000 known species of catfish in the world and with the new discoveries, now there are nine different catfish species in Sri Lanka. The largest freshwater fish in Sri Lanka is also a catfish known in Sinhala as Walaya(shark catfish) which can grow up to a meter in length. “But now this large catfish is very rare, so its even categorised as endangered in the Red List of Sri Lanka published on 2012,” said Sudasinghe.

Hiranya Sudasinghe

The largest species of catfish is the Mekong catfish with the largest recorded measuring nearly three metres in length according to some reports.

Several exotic catfish species are popular aquarium fish with the most popular in Sri Lanka being the iridescent shark catfish, native to the rivers of Southeast Asia. It appears to glow because of its slimy skin.

Catfish are also known to be able to survive long out of the water. Some species move to a different water source, when their water hole dries up. They use their rigid pectoral fins as stilts to move. In Sri Lanka, both the walking catfish and stinging catfish are noted for being able to crawl on land.

Catfish do not have scales, but spines on dorsal and pectoral fins provide protection against predators. These spines can be locked into place so that they stick outwards. The hunga or stinging catfish as its name suggests, need to be handled with caution as it has venom glands linked to the fin spine that can deliver an extremely painful sting.

Another interesting fact about cat fish is that many can produce different types of sounds by rubbing their fins.

Habitat loss is a threat to this freshwater fish. Walaya and Ankutta are already tagged as endangered, and two other catfish as ‘near threatened’. Experts urge that freshwater habitat that remain be protected.

The invasive ‘tank cleaner’ catfishKnown colloquially as ‘tank cleaners’ – the suckermouth catfish has now become an invasive species in a number of waterways in Sri Lanka. It native range is tropical South America, but it has become a popular aquarium fish due to its ability to clean algae from fish tanks. The fish are sold when they are small but with their feeding habits, they can quickly overgrow the tanks. Owners then release them to local waterways. “Be responsible and never release your aquarium fish to any natural waterway,” appeals Subasinghe. This he, says can cause an imbalance in the ecology of the island’s freshwater habitats. Sri Lanka’s largest freshwater fish – වලයා (Wallago attu) List of catfish species found in Sri Lanka  * Mystus nanus: endemic (the new discovery) – Sri Lankan Striped Dwarf Catfish (conservation status – LC) * Mystus ankutta: endemic – Sri Lanka Dwarf Catfish {Endangered – EN} * Mystus gulio: long-whiskered catfish; Anguluwa, {Least Concern – LC} * Mystus zeylanicus: endemic – Sri Lankan yellow catfish {Least Concern – LC} Family: siluridae * Ompok argestes – endemic (about 30 cm) (conservation status proposed as near threatened) * Ompok ceylonensis – endemic (about 30 cm) (conservation status proposed as least concern) * Wallago attu – shark catfish – Walaya in Sinhala (about 1 m – rare) {ENDANGERED – EN}: This is the largest freshwater fish in Sri Lanka Family: claridae * Clarias brachysoma – walking cat fish – (- Magura) endemic (about 50 cm ) {Near Threatened – NT} Family: heteropneustidae *Heteropneustes fossilis : Stinging catfish, (- Hunga) (about 30 cm) {Least Concern – LC} Invasive * Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus – suckermouth catfish * Clarias batrachus – marbled catfish: Most popular in the aquarium trade *Iridescent shark catfish – pangasianodon hypophthalmus Stinging catfish (හුන්ගා) Heteropneustes fossilis Walking catfish (මගුරා) Clarias brachysoma Published on SundayTimes on 18.12.2016 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/161218/news/whiskered-native-handle-with-care-220972.html

Curious humans take upside down view of orange-hued flyer

Beauty becomes a curse – a painted bat becomes a public attraction in Eppawala, Madiyawa 2012 – pure harrasment to the little creature (c) Internet

An attractive bat that is rearely seen, is best left alone if you find one hanging from a tree in your garden, researchers have appealed following media reports that have generated a buzz.

This week, news reports said an orange colored bat had been sighted in Thalgaswewa, Kanthale at a corn farm by its owner. After a three-hour struggle, the creature had been captured, the reports added. Amused villagers gathered en masse to take a look at the unusal specimen.

“This is not a new species, but a painted bat, scientifically categorized as kerivoula picta. It is a beautiful bat with a body color of bright orange with black wings and orange along the fingers. They also possess long, wooly, rather curly hair,” bat researcher Prof Vipula Yapa of the University Colombo said. The painted bat is a small creature with body length of between three centimetres and 5.5 cm. It feeds on insects.

“This bat can be found mostly in the low country dry zone – specially in areas such as Udawalawe and Embilipitiya, where there are banana plantations. During the day time, these bats hide among withered banana leaves,” says another bat researcher Gayan Edirisinghe. “Because the painted bat is mostly associated with banana plantations, it is also known as by the Sinhala name ‘visithuru kesel wavula’.

The painted bat usually flies out of its hiding place as dusk falls to begin hunting for food. They may often visit home gardens, but because people are not observant, they rarely notice the bat. But when they see it, this often leads to attempts to capture the creature in the mistaken belief it is a new species. Usually, it leads to the death of the creature.

The Kanthale bat found this week had been due to be handed over to the Department of Wildlife Conservation office in Kanthale. But when the Sunday Times contacted the office, no one had not heard of it.

“The painted bat is not that common, but they should be left alone. People should not try to catch them. Handling them badly can lead to death,” bat researchers plead. “It is also illegal to catch them.”

The painted bat is categorized as ‘near threatened’ by the Red List 2012. Sri Lanka is home to 30 different bat species. Nearly 20 of them feed on insects. These bats help to control the insect population.

Published on SundayTimes on 18.12.2016 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/161218/news/curious-humans-take-upside-down-view-of-orange-hued-flyer-220966.html

Painted Bat (Kerivoula picta) in its ideal habitat (c) Gayan Edirisinghe

Painted bat hit on vehicle Kanthale – Trinco stretch in 2011 (c) Devsiri Peiris

 

It’s scorpion season – but don’t scream and squash them all

14 of Lanka’s 18 scorpions are endemic and some are rare

The female red scorpion was found in Jaffna under the pillow of a sting victim and sent to Peradeniya University for identification and has now given birth inside the lab to several young ones

Another rainy season has begun, bringing that unwelcome visitor, the scorpion. Known for the venomous sting at the tip of its tail, scorpions cause panic and the immediate reaction is to squash and kill them – but wait, say researchers at the University of Peradeniya – “The scorpion you kill can be a species that is rare and threatened”.

Researcher Sanjeewa Jayaratne said a small scorpion found in his home last year was found to be a species new to science and endemic to Sri Lanka. “It was found inside my house. The little creature could have fallen from the wooden roof. There could be more such unidentified scorpions in other parts of Sri Lanka,” Mr. Jayaratne said.

Four scorpions new to science were discovered in an islandwide survey last year carried out by a team led by the University of Peradeniya’s Professor Kithsiri Ranawana along with a world authority on scorpions, Frantisek Kovarik, Mr. Jayaratne told The Rufford In-country Conference of Sri Lanka recently held in Kandy by the Bio Conservation Society. The Rufford Foundation is a British charity that funds nature conservation projects in the developing world.

The new finds bring to 18 the number of scorpions in this country, 14 of them endemic species.

The research team found the deadly Indian red scorpion (Hottentotta tamulus) – which arrived in Jaffna accidentally with the Indian Peace-Keeping Forces during the civil war – has adapted well to the arid conditions of the peninsula and is found in Achchuweli, Karainagar, Palali, Jaffna and Kankesanthurai.

While no deaths from scorpion bites were reported last year, 50-60 patients had to seek treatment for red scorpion stings, Professor S.A.M. Kularatne of the University of Peradeniya’s Medical Faculty said.

Only the Indian red scorpion’s venom causes severe illness: other scorpions have a mild venom and stings are very rare as many species live in the bark of trees, not in human dwellings.

The scorpion species found on floor of Mr.Jayaratne’s home was named Charmus saradieli after the famous outlaw Saradiel who lived in Uthuwankanda two centuries ago. Two other newly-found scorpions were named after Mr. Jayaratne and Prof. Ranawana –Reddyanus jayarathnei and Reddyanus ranawanai respectively. The fourth species is named Reddyanus ceylonensis.

Studying scorpions is not easy as they are nocturnal creatures. “We travel to selected research sites during the daytime and go into the field around 10pm to look for scorpions until day breaks,” a researcher said.

Larger scorpion species live in burrows and under rocks on the ground while smaller ones prefer to live in the bark of trees and are well camouflaged.

Researchers use a special UV light to spot the stealthy creature: it becomes illuminated in bright luminous blue when its exo-skeleton captures the light, Mr.Jayarathe said.

Most scorpions in Sri Lanka have a restricted range but two are common in many areas, including the world’s largest, Heterometrus swammerdami, which is nine inches (23cm) long.

Mr. Jayaratne has been stung by scorpions several times and says using local first aid – rubbing a red onion and lime mixture around the sting – and taking paracetamol relieved the pain within hours. People react differently to venom, however, so it is important to obtain medical attention if the victim shows great discomfort. In areas inhabited by the deadly red scorpion one should not take chances but seek medical help as soon as possible, Mr. Jayaratne advised.

Published on SundayTimes on 27.11.2016 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/161127/news/its-scorpion-season-but-dont-scream-and-squash-them-218301.html

Field observations conducted at night

Charmus saradieli – The Scorpion named after the outlaw Saradiel

New Endemic scorpion – Reddyanus ceylonensis

New Endemic scorpion – Reddyanus ranawanai

New Endemic scorpion – Reddyanus jayarathnei

Heterometrus swammerdami – One of the common scorpion in Sri Lanka. Can grow upto 9 inches

Observing Scorpions Under UV light at night – they are brightly illuminate at the UV light

First aid for scorpion biteA person stung by a scorpion would feel a painful, tingling, burning or numb sensation at the sting site. Most scorpion bites do not require much attention but If you are bitten in areas where the Indian red scorpion is found, or can positively identify the species, seek medical assistance immediately. Wash the sting with soap and water and remove all jewellery in case it restricts circulation if there is swelling of tissue e.g. if there is a ring on a finger that starts to swell up. Apply cool compresses on the sting area, usually 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. Do not cut into the wound or apply suction. If the victim is five years of age or younger, seek evaluation by a medical caregiver. Give a painkiller to relieve pain, but avoid aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) because they could contribute to other problems. If symptoms increase in severity, go to a hospital emergency department. – http://www.emedicinehealth.com/

Don’t monkey around with our monkeys

Published on SundayTimes on 20.11.2016 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/161120/news/dont-monkey-around-with-our-monkeys-217561.html .

Having a feast: Coconuts and bananas not spared. Photos by Rukmal Rathnayake

A peaceful resolution of the conflict for living space with our closest relatives

As monkeys struggle for existence while causing havoc to the people with their monkey tricks, the need to co-exist with our closest animal kingdom relatives was emphasised at an international conference here.

The Toque Monkey, better known as the Rilawa, causes more trouble than the Purple-faced Leaf Monkey or Kalu wandura, according to studies.

The Fifth Asian Primate Symposium hosted by the Sri Jayewardenepura University was held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel with seven countries participating to discuss ecology, biodiversity, human-animal conflict and related issues of interest to Asian primatologists.

An analysis of around 500 monkey-related complaints received by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), from 2007 to 2015 was presented at the conference by Dr. Tharaka Prasad, the DWC’s chief veterinary surgeon. According to him, 54 percent of the complaints have been against Rilawas and 29 percent against Kalu Wandura. Both these species are endemic to Sri Lanka.

Colombo which records the highest human population density had the highest frequency of conflicts of 115. Sadly, most of these are against the Kalu Wandura which is closed to the risk level of the Critically Endangered Western Purple-faced langur. Its conflict with humans severely undermines its future survival. Sri Lanka’s western region, where these langurs mainly stay, has only a few forest patches and the remaining habitats are also being lost or degraded. There are only a few protected areas, under the control of the DWC in the Western region, adding to the challenge of conserving these highly arboreal langurs.

Dr. Prasad who frequently treats injured monkeys said: “Monkeys are social animals. So we get into really difficult situations as to what we should do for the injured animals after they recover.”

At present, such monkeys are released to a location closer to Colombo as there is no alternative. There is a plan to build a facility to keep such monkeys, he said.

Sri Lanka is home to two other primate species — the Grey Langur and Slender Loris. Slender Loris monkeys stay mainly on the trees and rarely make contacts with humans. Even where Grey Langurs or hanuman monkeys are concerned, the number of human-animal conflicts is negligible.

According to the analysis, about 70 percent of the complaints relate to crop damage. Several other primate scientists, both local and international, made presentations at the symposium. A strategy to conserve and coexist with Sri Lanka’s monkeys was also presented in a paper prepared by Dr. Rudy Rudran of the Smithsonian Institute. Dr. Rudran’s research team is conducting an islandwide survey to identify important issues relating to monkey troubles.

Local researchers Surendranie Cabral, Sanjaya Weerakody and Rukmal Ratnayake say the utcome of this research may help to identify factors and reduce conflicts or tension between humans and monkeys.

Instead of viewing this situation in the grim terms of monetary losses due to the conflict, it should be seen as a challenge to the science of conservation biology, where coexistence of humans and monkeys is the key to conflict resolution, the symposium agreed.

A new huna emerges from unprotected Salgala forest

 Published on SundayTimes on 25.09.2016 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160925/news/a-new-huna-emerges-from-unprotected-salgala-forest-209760.html

Herpetologist Mendis Wickramasinghe who revealed a brightly-coloured new tree snake from the Sinharaja forest last week has now announced the discovery of a new endemic gecko, found in the Salgala forest in Kegalle district.

The gecko, or huna in Sinhala, is a familiar creature: most of our houses are inhabited by a family of “house geckos” that mostly come out at dusk. The new gecko is different, being mostly active during the daytime. It prefers rocky habitats and is also smaller than the house gecko.

The researcher first found this Salgala gecko in 2012 while exploring the least explored areas of the country to fill in the gaps in knowledge on the reptiles and amphibians that live in those habitats. The research team found a healthy population of this gecko living in the wild around the Salgala area and also inhabiting outer walls of some of the houses close to the forest.

The new gecko is scientifically described as Cnemaspis rajakarunai, named in honour of Henry Rajakaruna, one of the masters of Sri Lankan photography, in recognition of his services to promote Fine Art Photography for over half a century. Mr.Rajakaruna perfected a technique of low shutter speed motion capture internationally known as “Rajakaruna style”.

In common language the Salgala gecko is called  Rajakarunage diva huna, Rajakaruna pahalpalli and Rajakaruna’s day gecko in Sinhala, Tamil and in English, respectively.

Geckos are interesting creatures: they lack eyelids and have a transparent skin that they clean by licking. It also has a well-known defence mechanism of being able to lose its tail. While a predator is distracted by a still-alive detached tail, the gecko is able to hide in a safe place and, in time, grow a new tail.

Geckos move upside down on ceilings using specialised adhesive toe pads that enable them to climb smooth, vertical surfaces. Geckos shed their skin and, it is said, is able to replace each of their 100 teeth every three to four months.

The new discovery brings to 45 the number of gecko species in Sri Lanka. There are about 1,500 species worldwide.

 

Salgala, where the new discovery was made, is a few kilometres away from Galapitamada, where the critically-endangered freshwater fish, bandula barb, has its sole habitat. Salgala is an unprotected forest patch, and that is of concern to researchers. Mr. Wickramasinghe said there was an urgent need to survey the unprotected ecosystems there since other new species awaiting discovery could perish if the habitat was destroyed.

Mr.Wickramasinghe’s work has been assisted by the Ministry of Environment, the Nagao Natural Environment Foundation and principal sponsor, Dilmah Conservation. Dulan Vidanapathirana and Gayan Rathnayake helped him with the research.

The new gecko was named after Henry Rajakaruna

Unique photography techniques by Henry Rajakaruna

Dance in Trance – Unique photography techniques by Henry Rajakaruna