Ant-bites have compelled a few people in areas of Panadura to seek medical treatment. However, only people allergic to these bites need medication, and there is no need to panic say experts

Hathpolaya (c) Courtesy Medical Research Institute. and below head of Hathpolaya 

Earlier this week, it was reported that several people in Horethuduwa, Panadura, sought medical treatment for ant-bites. Upon information received, Medical Research Institute (MRI) Director, Dr Anil Samaranayake dispatched a team to investigate the matter. He said samples of this particular ant responsible for the more-than-painful bites, has been collected and brought to the MRI lab for further investigations. These ants have strong jaws and their bite can bring upon allergic reactions to certain people, warns Dr Samaranayake. However, these ants bite only when agitated, and there is no need to panic, he added.

Investigating the images of the ant, Sri Lanka’s foremost ant expert – Kelaniya University’s Prof. Sriyani Dias, identified it as a ‘Hathpolaya’ (Tetraponera rufonigra). This ant usually lives in trees and hence is an arboreal ant. The Hathpolaya’s body has a bit of colour, and is also known as ‘Arboreal Bicoloured Ant’. It is a predator that lives on insects, and is larger than normal ants, growing up to 12-15mm, exceeding the size of a ‘kadiya’.

Prof. Dias also recalls a ‘Hathpolaya’ infestation in Matara, in 2010. Suddenly, from nowhere, these ants started to appear in several places. Investigations revealed that several large trees in the area had been felled, dispersing large ‘Hathpolaya’ colonies that had been ‘resident’ in these trees. The Panadura incident too could be for similar reasons, thinks the ant expert.
The number of Ant species found in Sri Lanka is subject to change, as scientists split new species into one and merge the existing species to single ones. According to the National Red List of 2012, Sri Lanka is home to 205 ant species. The ‘Hathpolaya’ is categorised under ‘Least Concerned’ which means it is not a threatened species.

In 2010, the Sunday Times reported the death of a woman due to a ‘Dala Kadiya’’-bite. But, can an ant’s bite be fatal?

Experts say people react to insect stings differently, where some develop allergies that could lead to severe conditions. “It is like certain people being subject to allergies reactions after consuming pineapple or prawns”. The age and how nourished/susceptible the body is due to other inadequacies within, are contributory factors to an allergy becoming fatal. “Otherwise, Sri Lanka’s ants are usually not the kind that cause fatalities. They don’t chase and attack when provoked, like bees or wasps,” insists Prof. Dias.

Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, include itching, hives, flushing of the skin, tingling or itching inside the mouth, hoarseness, swelling of the tongue or in your throat and narrowing of the airways which causes difficulty in breathing and swallowing, dizziness, fainting, and nausea or vomiting. can be fatal.

These types of reactions usually occur within minutes of the sting, but have been known to be delayed for up to 24 hours. If you are bitten by an ant and are subject to itching and hives or welts on the skin other than around the bite, seek expert medical attention immediately.

Published on SundayTimes on 13.10.2013 on SundayTimes http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131013/news/ant-bites-could-be-fatal-dont-ignore-its-allergic-reactions-65666.html

“Rajiv is different to the new crop of wildlife photographers that Sri Lanka is producing. Firstly he doesn’t concentrate only on the national parks. Secondly he is deeply concerned about conservation,” says veteran wildlife photographer Namal Kamalgoda of Rajiv Welikala who is preparing for his maiden wildlife photographic exhibition “Wildlife Diaries: Memoirs from the Sri Lankan Wilderness”.

Back to back – the young tuskers of Kalawewa herd

Armed with his camera, Rajiv has braved wildernesses across the country, been chased by elephants while trying to photograph tuskers in Kalawewa and once had a narrow escape in an encounter with a bear in Lunugamwehera while on foot. But he is undeterred in his passion for bringing out the true beauty of Sri Lanka.

Rajiv has a passion for photographing tuskers. He believes documenting them is the first step towards protecting these gentle giants before they all vanish. The majestic tusker known as ‘Medha’ (weather god in Sinhala) hidden in a jungle patch in Wilpattu is his favourite tusker photo. “We had to wait over 15 minutes as many vehicles passed the spot even without noticing the majestic tusker taking shelter in the jungle. Slowly but surely the tusker started coming out. I captured this image at the right moment, when a beam of sunlight hit the side of his face, giving this amazing picture,” he recalls. The photograph captures the sense of mystery and awe the tusker inspires, and the landscape Wilpattu is famous for, he adds.

Photos of several tuskers showing different characteristics will be part of the exhibition. “I like to focus on locations outside national parks to search for tuskers especially in the North Central and Wayamba Provinces. The best time of day is evening, roughly between 4.30-5.30 p.m. which I like to call “Magic Hour” where the light is golden and optimum for photography,” Rajiv revealed. 

But Rajiv’s love for nature goes beyond tuskers as the over 70 such photographs exhibited will reveal- birds, mammals and reptiles among

his subjects.

While he loves to spend time in the wild, he points out that wildlife is all around us and one does not necessarily need to look to far-off jungles to photograph wild animals. Even closer to Colombo, there are many locations which are a haven for a multitude of species. Home gardens provide opportunities to capture photos of birds and other creatures, says Rajiv showing us a photo of a Brown-headed Barbet he had taken at his grandparents’ garden in Bambalapitiya.

Nature is so diverse and full of surprises there is never a boring day if you learn to open your eyes and broaden your horizons, he says, pointing out that many wildlife enthusiasts looking only for leopards in sanctuaries such as Yala, totally ignore the other species found in plenty there.

Rajiv started wildlife photography at the age of 13 while at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. He did his higher studies at the University of Wales and now aged 28 is currently reading for an MBA from the Cardiff Metropolitan University, while working at MAS Intimates as a merchandiser.

‘Wildlife Diaries – Memoirs from the Sri Lankan Wilderness’ will be held from October 26-27 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo 7.  http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131020/plus/the-true-beauty-of-sri-lanka-66097.html

The whisper – sambur family

Ulama – the Devil Bird or Forest Eagle Owl from Wilpattu

Megha – An elusive Wilpattu Tusker – Rajiv’s favorite Tusker photo

Fisheries authorities and the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) have stepped up action against illegal fishing methods used by local fishermen, officials said. The SLN arrested 89 fishermen off the east coast, for using ‘Hambili del’ or ‘Purse Seine’ nets meant for deep sea fishing.

Navy spokesman, Commander Kosala Waranakulasuriya said the arrests made by Eastern Naval Command’s SLN Dockyard on October 17, was off Chapel Island and Dutch Bay in Trincomalee.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Director General Nimal Hettiarachchie said that it is illegal to use these nets within a radius of 7 km offshore, while the mesh size of these nets should also be bigger than 1½ inches. Furthermore, these nets can be used in the deep sea only with a permit from his Dept.

Mr. Hettiarachchie also revealed that fishermen use these Purse Seine nets in the night guided by powerful lights, known as ‘light course’. Both big and small fish attracted to the light, are easily netted which is considered detrimental to the sustainability of fish stocks. Hence, using these purse seine nets at night is illegal. However, illegal ‘light course’ fishing continues in these areas,” Mr Hettiarachchie revealed.

Dynamite fishing too is a major issue, especially off the east coast. Dynamite blasts are reportedly heard even near Trincomalee’s Pigeon Island Marine National Park. The SLN spokesman said they are trying their utmost to curb these illegal activities.

Meanwhile, SLN personnel attached to the North Western Naval Command (NWNC), on information received, arrested two persons with 11.2 kg of turtle meat and 424 turtle eggs, in the general area of Anawasala in Kalpitiya on October 16. Investigations later revealed the meat belonged to a Leatherback Turtle, which is the largest of all turtles that come ashore to lay eggs. The suspects were handed over to Wildlife Conservation officials at Kandakkuliya.

“The SLN’s NWNC has also recovered 2,470 conch shells in the Karadikkuli area on October 9, 2013. The SLN also continues to apprehend Indian fishermen resorting to illegal bottom trawling,” said Cmdr. Warnasuriya.

All these activities highlight the perils that the ocean’s biodiversity is subject to, and the stringent measures taken to sustain its natural resources.

Published on 20.10.2013 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131020/news/sln-fisheries-officials-hike-vigilance-against-illicit-fishing-66440.html

Many are the negative stories reported regarding conservation of animals, especially that of reptiles.  But proving this trend wrong, a group of wildlife enthusiasts hatched a clutch of crocodile eggs and they are now the proud foster parents of baby crocs.

Making an entry to the world: An egg hatches under the protective care of WCSG members

The group is none other than the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle (WCSG).The happy ending had its beginnings about two months ago when a group of villagers who stumbled across a nest of crocodile eggs in the Kaluwamodara swamp in Beruwala handed over the eggs to the police who in turn handed them over to the Hikkaduwa range office of the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

The eggs eventually found a resting place at the WCSG centre in Hiyare, Galle, that runs a wildlife rescue programme. Next, followed plans to set up the ideal conditions necessary for the eggs to hatch. A female crocodile usually builds a nest, a mound consisting of vegetation, on the bank of any water hole.

The WCSG team wasted no time in building a similar safe environment. The decaying vegetation usually generates the heat required for the eggs to hatch. WCSG’s president, Madura de Silva said crocodile eggs required 80% moisture and a temperature of about 30 – 35 degrees Celsius and the temperature was constantly monitored.

Keeping a close eye on the eggs in the absence of motherly love (above) and (below) noting the temperature ideal for the eggs

He said unlike mammals, the sex of a crocodile is not determined by sex chromosomes but by the difference in temperature, with relatively low temperatures producing mainly females and high temperatures mainly males.

Crocodile mothers are known to be very protective of their eggs and it emerges out of the water often to keep an eye on the nest. At the slightest sound from the eggs the mother croc digs open the mound of vegetation so that the young ones have easy access once the eggs hatch.

In this instance, however, it was not the mother but the group of WCSG members who kept constant vigil and kept their ears open for the slightest sound from the nest. The baby crocs have an egg-tooth at the tip of their snouts that helps them to crack open the shells.

Most people are under the misconception that crocodile mothers eat their young.  But what they do is take the young ones in their mouth while they are in the water to protect them from predators. The family remains in a group for several months under the close eye of the mother.

In this instance, WCSG members will take care of the 20 baby crocs, which are being fed live mangrove crab, fish and shrimp, for about three months before they are handed over to the Wildlife Dept. to be released to the wild,” Mr. de Silva said.

A handful: 20 baby crocs check out their environs

Published on SndayTimes on 20.10.2013 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131020/news/wildlife-enthusiasts-become-foster-parents-to-20-crocs-66288.html 

The Sri Lanka Spiny Eel, a freshwater fish that was common in the early ’80s is probably now extinct. This was revealed by Prof.Devake Weerakoon delivering a talk on the Red List, at an event organised by the Open University’s Botany society.  Sri Lanka is home to six species of eel known as ‘aandha’ in Sinhala, given its slippery, slimy nature. The threatened species, the Spiny eel, is scientifically known as Macrognathus pentophthalmos.

Sri Lanka spiny eel’s relative – Marbled Spiny Eel (gan theliya) – WILL THIS SPINY EEL TOO FOLLOW ITS RELATIVE (c) Nadika Hapuarachchie

The Sri Lanka Spiny Eel was categorised as a common freshwater fish endemic to Sri Lanka in studies done in 1932 and 1980. But an islandwide freshwater fish survey conducted by researcher Rohan Pethiyagoda in 1991 failed to record even a single specimen of this eel. This prompted the Wildlife Heritage Trust in 1992 to print an illustrated ‘wanted’ poster that was displayed at leading ornamental fish export companies and inland fisheries centres islandwide offering a reward to anyone who spotted even a single specimen of the Sri Lanka Spiny Eel and another fish that had suffered a similar fate, Labeo Lankae. There were no positive results regarding the sighting of the Spiny Eel and in 2008 Dr. Pethiyagoda published a scientific paper that analysed the fate of this fresh water species.

The Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle (WCSG) is currently conducting an islandwide fresh water fish survey. But that too has so far failed to collect any data on the Sri Lanka Spiny Eel, Nadika Hapuarachchie of the society said. The Sri Lanka Spiny Eel was categorised as ‘Critically Endangered’ in 1994 and based on the results of latest surveys, the National Red list of Sri Lanka published in December last year reclassified the species as “Possibly Extinct”.

The Sri Lanka Spiny Eel has a slender body like other eels and has got its name for its sturdy fin spine. Another member of this family, the Marbled Spiny Eel (Mastacembelus armatus) is still a commonly found fish. But environmentalists point out that even the population of this common species can dwindle suddenly and regular monitoring is needed to evaluate its threatened levels.

Sri Lanka is known for its rich and diverse freshwater fish comprising 91 species of which 50 are endemic. Sampath Goonatilake of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) who has written a chapter on freshwater fish in the National Redlist says that arguably this is the most vulnerable taxonomic group as most of the threatened or endemic freshwater species are found in streams that lie outside the Protected Area Network of Sri Lanka. These habitats are vulnerable to various threats such as forest clearance, gem mining, expanding agriculture, large and small scale hydro projects, exposure to chemical pollutants including agrochemicals and sedimentation due to soil erosion, he said.

Meanwhile, according to the global Redlist 2009, Sri Lanka is placed 14th in terms of percentage numbers of threatened species. This is not good news given that Sri Lanka is a global biodiversity hot spot.

Invasive species big threat 

Invasive fish such as the Thilapila that have been introduced are behind the decline of Sri Lanka’s native freshwater fish. The knife fish (Thilapila) brought to Sri Lanka for aquarium trade has been reportedly introduced in water holes and streams in many areas. A giant knife fish was caught last week at a water hole in Boralasgamuwa.  Praki Bandara who captured this image says the fish weighed more than seven kilograms. 

The Knife Fish is a carnivore’s species that feeds on other smaller fish and their eggs. They are native to South East Asia. The knife fish is a popular aquarium fish because of its rapid growth. When they outgrow fish tanks some people release them to natural waterways, not giving heed to its detrimental effects on the population of other fish. There are instances where knife fish are washed away into natural water holes especially when ground fish tanks overflow due to flooding. Environmentalists urge the public not to release this species of invasive fish into natural waterways as they are harmful to native fish. 

Eel – the slippery freshwater fish

It’s a slippery, slimy creature, and doesn’t fit into the image of what one perceives as freshwater fish. But the eel is a regular fish – that doesn’t look like one. It has a serpentlike head and a snakelike body. The Eel’s body is elongated and flexible. When it swims, it moves in a series of waves. These waves cause each segment of the eel’s body to oscillate in a figure-of-eight. This movement causes the eel to be propelled forward in the water.

According to studies there are about 800 eel species that inhabit freshwater and marine habitats. A majority of eel species are nocturnal. Globally there has been a drastic decline in the numbers of eel species. A research in UK revealed that the European Eel population in the River Thames had fallen by 98% in just five years. This decline could be due to changes in oceanic currents due to climate change, man-made structures such as dams and the presence of certain diseases and parasites, the study revealed.

The annual wildlife art exhibition together with the wildlife photographic exhibition by the Young Zoologists Association (YZA) will be held this week.

‘Kin Wild’ -the exhibition of wildlife paintings and sketches by the Young Zoologists is probably the longest running wildlife art exhibition in the country. The Young Zoologists Association established the ‘Wildlife Arts’ group in 1989 to assist talented wildlife artists who study wildlife through the society’s other programmes. YZA held their first exhibition in 1990 and since then it has been an annual event.

YZA members study different wildlife groups through the regular education programmes held each Sunday afternoon at the Zoological Gardens, Dehiwela. The YZA has five study groups focusing on birds, mammals, reptiles, aquatic life and flora. Members who are mainly students get the chance to study the animals and their behaviour. Wildlife photography and art classes are conducted as special study groups held on Sunday mornings.

The Young Zoologists’ Association was established in 1972 by former Zoo Director and renowned conservationist Lyn de Alwis, who saw the need to promote an interest in the study and conservation of nature among young people.

Over 100 of the wildlife paintings/sketches and wildlife photographs will be on display at the exhibition at the J.D.A. Perera Gallery of the Faculty of Visual Arts at 46, Horton Place, Colombo 7 on November 8,9 and 10 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

some of the wildife arts and photographs that will be on display…

Published on 03.11.2013 on SundayTimes http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131103/magazine/young-zoologists-bring-out-the-beauty-of-the-wild-67415.html

A large haul of Red Sandalwood (rath handun – රත් හදුන්) shipment has been seized by Sri Lanka customs this week. Based on a tip received by customs, the container which has been declared as sanitary items has been opened on Friday 22^nd of November by customs officers. Instead of sanitary items, the shipment contained contained 4.5 metric tons of Red Sandalwood which is valued for about 100 million rupees.

The sandlewood shipment has been originated from a port of Chennai in India and en-route to Dubai which is a hub of red sandalwood smuggling. Talking to SundayTimes about this seizer, Samantha Gunasekera – the chief preventive officer of Sri Lanka customs said that this the shipment contained the best quality matured red sandalwood. Mr.Gunasekara recalls stopping about 4 shipments of Red Sandlewoods during last few years, revealing that this is the largest such shipment seized in Sri Lanka so far.

Red Sandlewood scientifically categorized as is a tree native to India. Its wood is having a fragrance and popular for its medicinal values. Red Sandalwood timber is also being used making of expensive furniture, natural dyes, natural colorations or perfume; hence received a high demand which pushed the tree to the brink of extinction where it has now become an ‘Endangered’. Cutting Red Sandalwood is banned in India, and the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) has restricted its legal international trade. So it is feared that the racketeers are trying to exploit Sri Lankan ports as transit point for illegal wildlife trade. However, thank to amendment of law, the Customs officers can now even seize goods in transit, according to Mr.Gunasekara.

Red Sandalwood doesn’t grow naturally in the wilds of Sri Lanka and only few trees introduced from India are present in few places. However, the White Sandalwood (Santalum album – සුදු හදුන්) that grows in Sri Lanka has been heavily exploited. The White Sandalwood has become a protected tree in 2009 and now it is illegal to cut. But as SundayTimes reported earlier this month, the instances where White Sandalwood smuggling has increased, despite the ban making it illegal. It is claim that the Sandalwood trees in gardens are been cut illegally at night by these racketeers. The customs Biodiversity Protection unit has also thwarted several attempts the white Sandalwood products are being smuggled out of the country.

The Sri Lanka customs are conducting further investigations regarding the seized Red Sandalwood, said customs spokesperson.

Photographs of charismatic animals like leopards and elephants are the most popular; but Sri Lankan jungles are home to a wide array of creatures that need patience to spot. Following their trails for many years, four veteran wildlife photographers – Gehan Rajapakse, Namal Kamalgoda, Palitha Antony and Sarinda Unamboowe have a new book and exhibition ‘Elusive – A Journey through the Wild’.

The book will contain probably the best collection of images of some of Sri Lanka’s rarest subjects which include the Indian Courser, Jungle Cat, Grey-headed Lapwing and the Black-naped Oriole to name a few. The pursuit of the elusive meant that their travels have taken them further and further away from the beaten track posing many challenges in terms of the time, effort, information and access needed to take these pictures. Gehan, Namal, Palitha and Sarinda are all in different professions, so their efforts are indeed laudable.

“Elusive” is the third book by these four friends after they formed Zero3 Images in 2003. Their first book was “Encounters -A Journey through the Wild”‘ published in 2004. Their second book came out in 2007- “Enchanted: A Journey through the Wild”. “Elusive” will contain the best shots these veterans had taken during the past six years, they say. Their previous books were well received by the wildlife loving public, and the third book too has been compiled in similar format.

The four of them came into wildlife photography in the early 1990s. Namal Kamalgoda recalls that circumstances have since changed with digital technology but advises that amateur photographers should first master the skill of wildlife photography before investing in expensive equipment.

With their priority being the conservation of the environment, a portion of the income from their first two books was donated for conservation work in Kumana, Wilpattu and Bundala. The photographers also want their images to raise awareness on Sri Lanka’s wildlife for the public to appreciate the country’s wealth of natural beauty. They believe this will bring together a louder voice to carry the message of conservation.  This is not only a book for glancing through the images, but a publication that has to be enjoyed leisurely by reading the text.

Published on SundayTimes on 24.11.2013 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131124/sunday-times-2/in-pursuit-of-the-wild-and-elusive-74362.html 

Launch of book and exhibitionGehan Rajapakse, Namal Kamalgoda, Palitha Antony and Sarinda Unamboowe will launch their latest photographic book ‘Elusive: Journey through the Wild” with an exhibition at the Harold Pieris Gallery, Lionel Wendt next week. The exhibition will be on November 30 and  December 1 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will have over 140 images from the book, none of which have been photo shopped.

The croaking sounds of frogs after rain, so common a decade ago, is now drowned by the whine of mosquitoes, and new research suggests that the decline in tadpole stocks [can also contribute in rise of mosquito numbers and lead to increase spread of diseases such as dengue.]

The research reveals that tadpoles feed on mosquito eggs – in particular dengue mosquito eggs that act as vehicles to transmit the disease through seasons. The new study also reveals a fortuitous cycle in which egg-laying mosquitoes are attracted to water in which tadpoles live, which then gives the amphibian the opportunity to become a predator of the eggs and deplete future mosquito stocks.

Aedes aegypti – the dengue mosquito – not only lays eggs in water-filled discarded plastic containers, tyres, etc. but also in natural sites such as tree holes, marshy areas, ponds and temporary pools that are used by frogs for breeding. This means the amphibians should be recognised as a prime resource against the mosquito menace.

The Peradeniya University team that has conducted the research includes Gayan Bowatte, Piyumali Perera, Gayani Senevirathne, Suyama Meegaskumbura and Madhava Meegaskumbura.  Dr. Madhava Meegaskumbura, an amphibian expert, said this was the first evidence that showed that tadpoles feed on mosquito eggs and play an important ecological role in mosquito control.

Biological control of mosquitoes is valued for its low ecological impact and reduced side-effects on humans, and fish are used as a biological weapon against mosquito larvae. But fish, especially when introduced, can cause ecological damage by becoming a threat to native creatures, including frogs.

Furthermore, fish need interconnected waterways to spread and are often not found in the isolated pools, tree holes, rock-pools, ponds and most temporary water bodies that are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Thus amphibians play a vital role in these areas, point out the researchers.

The transmission of dengue virus from female mosquitoes to their eggs and the resistance of the eggs to drought conditions make them excellent vehicles of disease propagation through seasons.  The number of dengue virus-laden eggs that survive unfavourable seasons determines the population size and incidence of the disease during the subsequent rainy season, so effectively dealing with mosquito eggs is key to controlling the propagation of the disease.

The five tadpole species used in this study are representative of several aquatic habitats: Polypedates cruciger tadpoles are typically found in open or closed shallow pools and ponds; Bufo melanostictus tadpoles in small and large pools and ponds, even where there are fish; Euphlyctis cyanophlictis in many types of shallow ephemeral pools and small streams; Hoplobatruchus crassus tadpoles in large pools including ephemeral pools, and Ramanella obscura tadpoles in tree holes and small pools, well isolated from streams. The presence of tadpoles in all these types of aquatic habitats, which are not often suitable for fish life, makes tadpoles very versatile in dealing with dengue mosquito eggs.

Gayani Senevirathne, sorting and counting mosquito eggs

Madhava Meegaskumbura, examining a rare frog

Gayan Bowatte, monitoring water quality

Furthermore, the breeding seasons of all frogs studied and the dengue seasons coincide, leading to maximum interaction. All five frog species studied by the University of Peradeniya team are commonly found amid human habitation, and many of them lay a large number of eggs. Bufo melanostictus, for example, lays thousands of eggs while Polypedates cruciger lays hundreds of eggs in foamy masses above water tanks into which tadpoles fall to undergo further development.

Dr. Madhava Meegaskumbura said it was essential that the role of tadpoles be evaluated in the management of water bodies for mosquito-borne disease prevention.

published on SundayTimes on 24.11.2013 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131124/news/ninja-tadpoles-against-the-dengue-menace-74312.html 

A little known fact is that Sri Lanka is home to 125 Mammalian species. Much has been written about elephants, leopards and even on primates individually, but after W.W.A. Philips’ review of Sri Lanka’s mammals in the 1930s, there was no comprehensive review undertaken. Filling this void, is the new book “Mammals of Sri Lanka” launched on Friday.

The Otter: One of Gamini Ratnavira’s exquisite illustrations

With all of 1012 pages, the book authored by Asoka Yapa, with illustrations by the world renowned Sri Lankan wildlife artist – Gamini Ratnavira is a mammoth effort. The book also contains many photos of mammals taken in the field by veteran photographers such as Vimukti Weeratunga, Nadika Hapuarachchie and Dr. Janaka Gallangoda. Experts in the field too have contributed photographs of lesser known mammals and the book also contains a few ‘first time’ photos of some of the rarest mammals.

Yapa and Ratnavira’s book has several unique features. For the first time it carries colour illustrations of almost all of Sri Lanka’s mammal species. Indeed, there are illustrations even of new species that are proposed as endemic additions to the island’s fauna. A possible new loris, a new chevrotain, and a new beaked whale are among the animals pictured. For the first time there are distribution maps for the land mammals. Illustrations of scat and spoor are provided for many species after all, those are often the only signs left by a wild animal. Dive sequences are given for the larger whales to aid identification.

Asoka Yapa is a Zoologist by training and a communication specialist by profession. Talking to the Sunday Times, Mr. Yapa revealed that the text of the book was the painstaking effort of 30 months. There were lots of scientific publications to review and on some days he worked continuously until 4 a.m. and started work after just a few hours’ sleep. The list of bibliographic reference of over 500 testifies to the painstaking effort the author had to take to get the scattered scientific information on Mammals of Sri Lanka to one publication. “I wanted to keep the language simple and make the publication inspire new research interest on mammals of Sri Lanka,” said Asoka.

Each taxonomic order of mammals in Sri Lanka is introduced in their evolutionary, taxonomic, and ecological contexts. Family descriptions follow, after which are species by species accounts that cover morphology, behaviour, ecology, diet, reproduction, distribution within Sri Lanka, and conservation status and concerns. Where there are significant differences among subspecies within the island, these are described and illustrated.

The book is in full colour and is printed and bound in Sri Lanka with ecologically produced papers and ink. Published by the Field Ornithology Group (FOGSL) of the Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, it was launched on December 6 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo 7.

The book is priced at Rs. 7500 . ‘The Mammals of Sri Lanka’ will be available at leading bookstores around the island. Further information can be obtained by contacting Anoma Perera or Indrika KaggodaAarachchi of FOGSL on 011 2501332 or 011 2592609.

Published on SundayTimes on 08.12.2013 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/plus/mammoth-book-on-our-mammals-75513.html

An epic rescue mission this week to save a sloth bear screaming in pain from a poacher’s wire trap stands in glad contrast to news of threatened species – such as the recent case of a black leopard – being killed by poachers. The sloth bear was first spotted by a villager in his chena in the Aliwala area of Sithulpawwa in Yala. The animal, possibly disoriented by pain from the wire snarled around his body is thought to have climbed all the way up a palu tree that is nearly 30 feet tall.

And down came the bear. Pic by Janath de Silva

The bear could not climb down and was screaming, so the villagers informed Wildlife Officers who rushed to the scene.
The problem was that the panicked bear showed no sign of getting down from the tall tree. The area veterinary surgeon Dr. W.A. Dharmakeerthi was called in but it was judged too risky to shoot the bear with a tranquilliser dart as it could have fallen to its death.

Ignoring the risk of being mauled, two villagers volunteered to bring the bear down from the tree if it was tranquillised, so Dr. Dharmakeerthi decided to have a try. It was not an easy task to target a bear up a tall tree but Dr. Dharmakeerthi, a veteran wildlife veterinarian, took aim and fired the tranquilliser drugs.

In a few minutes the bear had stopped moving, and the two men who had volunteered to bring it down quickly climbed the tree to bring down the animal before it could fall. There was a risk that the bear had not been completely sedated but with the noble aim of saving the life of a bear that had fallen victim to human cruelty the two men kept on with their mission.

After making sure the bear was completely unconscious they tied a rope around it and then carefully descended with the now completely unconscious creature. There was a general sigh of relief when the bear was brought to earth. The vet and wildlife officers removed the wire trap entangled around its belly and treated its wounds. The bear was a well-grown animal aged around 10 years and weighed about 50kg.

The sloth bear has been released to a safer patch of forest. Dr. Dharmakeerthi said it was the first time he had taken part in a “bear rescue”. He said many animals, including a number of leopards, had fallen victim to wire traps set up mainly to kill animals such as wild boar.

published on SundayTimes on 01.12.2013 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131201/news/care-for-a-bear-villagers-pluck-terrified-animal-from-tall-tree-75152.html 

Santa comes with gifts in the festive season – and this is for all of us: researchers have gifted three new species of fish to add to the already impressive list of freshwater fish in Sri Lanka, strengthening the country’s status as a global biodiversity hotspot. The new species emerge from Halmal Dandiya and Hora Dandiya and have been classified under genus Rasboroides (genus is a categorisation of species that have similar characteristics).

Rasboroides palida

The discovery has come from the island-wide freshwater fish survey carried out by the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle (WCSG) and Sri Lanka’s Biodiversity Secretariat (BDS). The aim of the survey was to study the prevalence of Sri Lanka’s endemic fish in their “type locations” – the place in which any species is first discovered and scientifically identified. The operation had two objectives: by studying the fish decades after their discovery in the same location allowed scientists to see if any changes had occurred in the intervening period and also to assess their conservation status.

As part of this survey, the endemic Halmal Dandiya or Sri Lanka Golden Rasbora (Rasboroides vaterifloris) discovered in 1930 in Ilukwatte, Gilimale was studied. Researchers also caught Halmal Dandiya from streams in other locations and carefully studied them. A specimen found in Kottawa, near Deniyaya showed characteristics distinct from the fish originally found from Gilimale.

Rasboroides rohani

“This has made us study the fish deeply and we found astonishing differences that encouraged us to carry out further research. This ended up in our separating two new species,” said WCSG President Madura de Silva.

The fish found in Kottawa Kobala forest reserve was named Rasboroides palida for its pallid colour. The other fish, discovered in Sooriyakanda, has been named as Rasboroides rohani to honour Rohan Petiyagoda who has carried out extensive research on Sri Lnka’s freshwater fish.

The research also established the existence of Sri Lanka Blackline Golden Rasbora or Kaluiri Halmaldandiya, scientifically known as Rasboroides nigromaginata. This fish was first identified in 1957 by a German, Meinken, based on specimens he found in his country. He pinpointed the source location of the fish as Sri Lanka, but this species has never before been reported alive in its natural environs.

Rasboroides vaterifloris still found in Gilimale

The discoveries have not ended there. The Horadandiya (Rasboroides atukorali) was declared a fish endemic to Sri Lanka in 1943 but an Indian researcher published a paper in the 1990s claiming that it came from India, so it was taken off Sri Lanka’s list of endemic fish. The research team thoroughly examined the features of both the Indian and Sri Lankan species and concluded that both countries have different species of Horadandiya, which reinstates the fish on Sri Lanka’s list.

The research findings were authored by Sudesh Batuwita, Madura de Silva and Udeni Edirisinghe in the latest edition of the international journal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters.

Published on SundayTimes on 15.12.2013 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131215/news/i-saw-three-fish-come-sailing-in-76713.html

Sri Lanka is home to four species of Ankutta or catfish. One, scientifically classified as Mystus keletius, has been identified as a species native to both Sri Lanka and India, but new analysis by Dr. Heok Hee Ng and Rohan Pethiyagoda on this species has confirmed the Sri Lankan species is different from the Indian fish and found only in the streams of this island.

Mr Pethiyagoda said the new species was widespread in both the wet and the dry zones and found in rivers and reservoirs up to an elevation of about 500 metres. The species was described entirely from specimens that had been collected in Sri Lanka in the period 1934-1969 and preserved in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution and California Academy of Sciences, which lent them to the researchers for study. Dr. Heok Ng is Asia’s foremost expert on catfish.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131215/news/ankutta-join-list-of-endemic-fish-76717.html

The Sunbird. Pix courtesy J.F.R.De Fonseka

Says FOGSL, there’s no better way to see in the New Year than by listening to our birds singing their dawn chorus, but if January 1 is disturbed by the sounds of crackers and you are feeling too sleepy from late-night partying to wake up in time to hear the birds, select any day of the first week of 2014 and listen to nature’s symphony to remind yourself of the need to be closer to nature.

If you listen to the dawn chorus in your area regularly you will notice changes in the melody as some birds intensify their singing during the breeding season. The best example is the well-known songster, the Asian Koel (koha), who starts singing its beautiful song to attract its mate around April.

The Oriental Magpie Robin (polkichcha) is another common songster that enriches the dawn chorus by singing from the highest point in the area. The birds start the day around 4:30-5 a.m. Get up early before sunrise and keep listening!

Oriental Magpie Robin

Oriental Magpie Robin – A common songster in our home gardens

The Spotted Dove

published on SundayTimes on 29.12.2013 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131229/news/in-the-soft-dawn-of-a-new-year-a-sweet-sound-will-steal-your-heart-78041.html

After centuries of cruel neglect the feral donkeys of Puttalam and Mannar and the famous wild ponies of Delft are to receive care, with a 100-acre sanctuary to be set up on Delft Island and a conservation area for the donkeys also under consideration. The Ministry of Wildlife Conservation, the District Secretariat of Jaffna and the Delft Pradeshiya Sabha are to start work soon on establishing the pony sanctuary on Delft Island (also known as Neduntheevu).

Ponies on Delft island. Pic courtesy IUCN Sri Lanka

The wild ponies are believed to have been first brought to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese, who used Delft as a breeding centre. There are thought to be around 500 ponies today, roaming in herds. The Sunday Times, in June this year, reported that the ponies need a management plan for their protection and welcomes the move by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

A report published by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature states that the ponies are threatened from the overgrazing of pasture lands due to their numbers and also a large population of cattle. At the height of the dry season there is a high incidence of cattle and pony mortality due to the lack of food and water.

Further, some people capture the wild ponies and brand them on the forelegs with inexpert methods that result in infections, a major cause of death. Department of Wildlife Conservation Director H.D. Ratnayake said the department recognised that the ponies and donkeys, though feral, need protection. Although the animals were introduced species to the island they are now “naturalised” in Sri Lanka, he said, and the department was working on proper management plans for their welfare.

Published on SundayTimes 29.12.2013 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131229/news/born-free-and-soon-theyll-live-free-under-care-78058.html

A chimp raised by zoo caretakers since its birth in 1999, after its mother refused to feed it, caused an upset this week when it bit off a finger of its beloved foster-father, Thilak Pushpakumara. Tony the chimp had become greatly attached to Pushpakumara over the years. An entertainer from his young days doing a “chimp show”, Tony stole the hearts of all who visited the zoo in the past decade ago with its cuddly nature.

But with increasing age the animal had developed violent behaviour. Consequently Tony was kept isolated. Restless in solitary confinement – chimpanzees are social creatures – it continued to be violent, sometimes throwing objects at visitors, but it maintained affection for its former caretaker. According to zoo sources, the incident occurred when Pushpakumara went too close to offer Tony a toffee that it loved as a little fellow. The unlucky caretaker has been admitted to the Kalubowila hospital for treatment.

Sanju: Another favourite in the zoo now showing signs of aggression too

Dehiwala Zoo is home to a number of chimpanzees. A family of chimps has been given a bit of spacious cave with relative space and climbing logs etc. to play around, but there has been a problem with putting Tony among them. To begin with, Tony has been habituated among people since its birth and secondly it is a male chimp, and the dominant male in the troop will not tolerate another. So the animal keepers believed they had no other option under current conditions in the zoo than keeping Tony in a separate cage; that probably made him more disturbed.

The zoo had since trained another baby chimp named Sanju to perform tricks. Sanju also won the hearts of visitors few years ago but he too now is kept separately caged after it became violent. Although chimps are affectionate as infants and are a delight to interact with, they grow up fast and their unique intelligence makes it difficult to keep them stimulated and satisfied in a human environment says the foremost chimpanzee expert in the world Dr. Jane Goodale.

By the age of five chimps are stronger than most human adults and they become destructive and resentful of discipline, and they can, and will, bite. Chimpanzee owners have lost fingers and suffered severe facial damage according to the information according to Jane Goodale Foundation. Dr. Goodale states that aggression is a natural aspect of chimpanzee behaviour and it is not uncommon for chimps to bite each other in the wild. However much misguided chimp owners and caretakers continue to love his or her “child” the chimpanzee will be too dangerous to keep as part of a human “family”.

Published on 02.02.2014 on SundayTimes http://www.sundaytimes.lk/140202/news/tony-the-chimp-bites-the-hand-that-fed-him-82054.html

A gecko has become the first creature in 2014 to join the impressive list of endemic species of Sri Lanka. The new species, discovered in Rammalakanda forest, has been named Rammale day gecko (Rammale diva huna), classified scientifically as Cnemaspis rammalensis.

New species: Active during the day

Unlike the common house gecko that is found hunting insects near lamps in most households at night, the new species is mostly active during the day.

Sri Lanka is home to at least 44 species of geckos including the new fellow, and most of them are active in the daytime, according to the well-known herpetologist Mendis Wickremasinghe, who led the research team that discovered the new species. The Rammale day gecko is the largest among the “daytimers” with a snout-to-vent length of 52–54mm.

The new species is a rock-dweller found only in few caves and well-shaded boulders in the Rammalkanda Forest. They were found only on rocks and not on adjacent trees. The pattern on the gecko’s body gives it camouflage in rocky habitats during the day, and the rock cavities give it protection at night.

The researchers combed similar habitats in adjacent secondary forest and well-wooded home gardens nearby, but the gecko is restricted to the Rammalkanda forest, a special Wet Zone lowland rainforest patch located in between Matara and Hambantota. Rammalakanda is the southern-most major mountain ridge in the island. It may be considered an outpost of the Rakwana massif which is well separated from other ridges of similar elevation in the area.

Researchers say the occurrence of such a large species in a small forest patch at the edge of the wet zone is unexpected.

The find highlights the importance of Rammalkanda forest which is already declared a National Man and Biosphere reserve although illegal tree-felling to cultivate tea is a major threat in the area. Tea plantations and human settlements in the surrounding areas are slowly expanding and encroaching into the forest, gradually destroying species’ habitat.

The gecko find was reported in the reputed scientific journal ZooTaxa by Dulan Ranga Widanapathiarana, Gehan Rajeev, Nethu Wickremasinghe, Samantha Suranjan and Mendis Wickremasinghe. The discovery comes from the Biodiversity Gap Analysis project conducted in collaboration with the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment, funded by Nagao Natural Environment Foundation and Dilmah Conservation.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/140202/news/largest-day-gecko-the-first-on-2014-endemic-new-species-list-81953.html

It is believed the baby elephant, found on Wednesday (February 5) had been caught the previous day. This is the first time Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) officials have thwarted a wild elephant kidnap at the scene of the crime. News of a racket of snatching baby elephants from the wild emerged several years ago. It is believed about 60 such baby elephants have been taken. Elephant calves released by the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) have been particular targets of these criminals.

Habarana and Udawalawe are the other major areas in which these racket are in operation, environmentalists say. Last year, the Environmental Conservation Trust (ECT) released the whereabouts of 22 elephants believed to be illegally caught from the wild but no action has so far been taken. The list contains some high-level names. Many of these elephants have ended up in temples and kept on public view and paraded openly in many of the key peraheras in the country.

In Sri Lanka, births of privately owned captive elephants are not known. The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is the sole source of releasing baby elephants to private owners. A few elephants have been donated from countries such as India and Thailand for religious purposes. Other than these avenues, the existence of any young elephant in private ownership is questionable.

Although all captive elephants in Sri Lanka are supposed to be registered with the DWC it is alleged that these racketeers obtain fake birth certificates that purport to show the elephants are captive-born.

The DWC register was recently found to have been “lost”, and the head of legal affairs of the Department has been interdicted over the affair. An attempt by the DWC to give a deadline for registering illegally-caught elephants enraged environmentalists who pointed out that the announcement gave gangs a window of opportunity to seize baby elephants from the wild and legalise their ownership as captive-born animals. It is feared that this week’s attempt at Galgamuwa is linked with this situation.

Private owners of elephants lament that the number of captive elephants is decreasing and constantly urge the need of new blood, mainly to continue cultural activities that include elephants as an attraction. Many people, however, argue that this is against core Buddhist philosophy.

DWC Director-General H.D. Ratnayake rejected claims that his department is turning a blind eye on illegal elephant captivity even though all the details are given to the authorities. He said an investigation is being carried out to find those involved in attempt to rob the Galgamuwa baby elephant.

Published on SundayTimes on 09.02.2014 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/140209/news/attempt-to-snatch-baby-elephant-from-wild-85117.html

An attempt to smuggle out wallapatta agarwood worth Rs. 12 million was prevented by vigilant Customs officers last week.

The offender had 16.8kg of the substance concealed in his baggage, Samantha Gunasekara of the Customs Biodiversity Protection Unit said. It had been cleaned and considered to be grade 1 quality. The offender was at Bandaranaike International Airport to board a Bangalore-bound flight. Preliminary investigations revealed that he was only a carrier, and investigations are underway to find the source of the agarwood.

Agarwood is a product of the wild tree, wallapatta, and it is illegal to own or take out a forest product without permission but because of its high value criminals collect and export it illegally. Wallapatta is scientifically classified as a sub-canopy tree growing in wet zone forests as well as in home gardens in these areas. The tree creates a resin called agarwood in its core as a reaction to a fungal infection, and this is used as a base for perfumes.

Perfumes produced using agarwood are expensive because of the resin’s scarcity, so a wave of illegal felling of wallapatta has been reported, several dozen cases from different parts of Sri Lanka in the first weeks of 2014.

In the latest case, Morontuduwa police arrested three men for cutting down a wallapatta tree and transporting in a van. Because the agarwood has to be exported illegally, stringent measures have to be put in place to nab the offenders who mastermind this racket.

Only some wallapatta trees affected by fungi manufacture the agarwood resin. Since there is no way to detect whether a wallapatta tree is secreting agarwood, trees are being felled indiscriminately for quick profits. Prof. Nimal Gunatilleke, who has studied the growth of wallapatta, warns that extensive removal of large mature trees could affect the survival of wild wallapatta trees, already categorised as “vulnerable” to extinction on the National RedList.

Prof. Gunatilleke points out that investigation of the tree’s reproductive ecology and low-cost propagation methods of wallapatta were needed to restore the growth of the tree in the forest and to increase domestic growth to reduce pressure on this rapidly dwindling natural resource. The Director General of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) said regulations to protect wallapatta have been drafted. He said the cultivation of wallapatta would be encouraged under stringent monitoring conditions.

Published on SundayTimes on 16.02.2014 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/140216/news/wallapatta-agarwood-the-new-illegal-million-rupee-racket-85990.html 

This week, an enigmatic whale first described studying a specimen found in Sri Lanka has been reclassified as a new marine mammal species. The whale species – member of a family known as beaked whales for their elongated beak-like snouts – bears an interesting history.On 26 January 1963 a specimen of a dying 4.5m-long, blue-grey female beaked whale was washed ashore at Ratmalana. After carefully studying its form and structure, marine scientists led by Dr. P.E.P. Deraniyagala (Director of National Museum 1939-1963) declared it to be a new species of beaked whale belonging to the family Ziphidae.

Dr. Deraniayagala named the whale Mesoplodon hotaula for its pointed “beak” (in Sinhala, hota means beak and ula means pointed”).The skull of the holotype- the term for a single type specimen upon which the description and name of a new species is based – was kept in the National Museum Collection.Two years later, however, the Mesoplodon hotaula was re-grouped into the related ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, Mesoplodon ginkgodens, by overseas scientists and the Mesoplodon hotaula name was dropped.

Beaked whales are deep divers that are believed to be able to dive to 1,800m (5,900 feet).A total of 22 beaked whale species have now been identified but most of them have not been studied alive in their oceanic habitats. Identification of most have been based on dead or dying whales that have been washed ashore.

As belief began to grow again that the whale found in Sri Lanka was a distinct species, a visiting research scientist at the University of NSW in Sydney, Australia, Dr. Merel Dalebout, wrote to the Director of the National Museum in Colombo inquiring about the possibility of taking a DNA sample from the whale to make comparisons with samples taken from elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific region.

Researcher Dr. Manori Goonatilake inspecting the specimen Deraniyagala collected in 1963

Dr. Manori Goonatilake, Assistant Director National Museum, became involved in the study. With the permission of Department of Wildlife Conservation she had sent the DNA samples taken from the holotype’s mandible bone, tooth, and skull using a special hand drill without harming the external appearance of the specimen.

Artist Gamini Ratnavira’s conception of a pod of Hotaula. Courtesy ‘Mammals of Sri Lanka’ by Asoka Yapa/Gamini Ratnavira

The scientists managed to find seven specimens of this species including the Sri Lankan specimen. The haul included three whale carcasses from the United States and one each from the Republic of Kiribati, the Maldives, and Seychelles.

Finally, after a series of DNA and morphological analyses it was recognised that these seven specimens belonged to a distinct species of beaked whale. So 51 years after its discovery off Ratmalana the whale regained its first scientific classification, Mesoplodon hotaula, given by Professor Deraniyagala.“Now it turns out that Deraniyagala was right regarding the uniqueness of the whale he identified. While it is closely related to the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, it is definitely not the same species,” Dr Dalebout says in an article on the university website.

It has been suggested that the common name of the species be “Deraniyagala’s beaked whale” to honour the late scientist for his finding. This is perhaps the only marine mammal carrying a Sinhala name in its scientific name and is a showcase of Sri Lankan researchers’ talent in the field of natural history.
The smelly whale carcasses that wash ashore once in a while grab our attention but are often soon forgotten. This new discovery highlights the Importance of studying these carcasses when they come to light, as studying them in the vast ocean is difficult

New research on jungle giant

Dr. P.E.P.Deraniyagala, director of National Meuseum from 1939-63, was a pioneer in zoology and paleobiodiversity (the study of extinct animals in prehistoric time through studying of fossils) and his research led to the finding of clues of the existenceof species such as the lion, rhinoceros, hippopotamus and gaur (giant wild cow) in Sri Lanka.

At a memorial to Dr. Deraniyagala held a few weeks ago to honour the late professor’s services to his country, scientist Kelum Manamendrarachchie revealed a plan of conducting further research on the “vil aliya”, described as a separate subspecies of the Asian elephant.According to Dr. Deraniyagala, the vil aliya (scientifically classified as Elephas maximus vilaliya) is a subspecies of the Asian elephant that inhabited the flood plains in the current Somawathie National Park Region and was bigger than elephants elsewhere in Sri Lanka.

These elephants fed on grasses and other vegetation on marshy areas and shallow water which are very nutritious, so they grew larger. The vil aliya’s foot became larger, which is believed to be an adaptation more suitable for a life in marshy areas. Plans are underway to perform DNA analysis on specimens collected by Dr Deraniyagala.

Published on SundayTimes on 23.02.2014 http://www.sundaytimes.lk/140223/news/beaked-whale-with-sinhala-name-retakes-its-place-in-history-86675.html