RAPTOR RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

New Project

RRCF funds IISER Tirupati

"Passive acoustic monitoring of owls using automated species recognition - a case study in the Eastern Ghats"
Duration: 12 months (April 2023 to March 2024)

Grey-Headed-Fish-Eagle

Project Summary: Owls, integral to nocturnal ecosystems, often elude traditional monitoring methods due to their elusive nature. Passive Aco ustic Monitoring of Owls using Automated Species Recognition addresses this challenge through cutting-edge bioacoustic technology. This project, set in the Eastern Ghats of India, aims to develop a comprehensive framework for monitoring owl populations using sound recognition algorithms.

The study focuses on nocturnal owl species, such as Spotted Owlet, Barn Owl, Indian Scops-Owl, Mottled Wood Owl and Rock Eagle-Owl, alongside other, possibly even Critically endangered Jerdon's Courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus nocturnal species endemic to Eastern Ghat forest in Andhra Pradesh.

The project will utilize a network of passive acoustic recorders to capture nocturnal sounds over a year in and around Sri Venkateswara National Park and Tirupati from (April 2023 to March 2024) The recorded data will be analyzed to identify owl vocalizations, establish daily and annual patterns, and evaluate habitat preferences.

The challenge of processing massive data volumes—anticipated to reach more 10TB—is addressed through advanced Machine learning algorithms. By leveraging previous experience with species-specific detection frameworks, the project aims to automate the identification of owl calls amidst vast datasets.

This project seeks to establish a robust foundation for future research endeavors by pioneering the application of Passive Acoustic Monitoring in India. It contributes to the understanding of nocturnal ecosystems and lays the groundwork for effective owl conservation strategies.

This project represents a pioneering effort to bridge the gap between technology and wildlife conservation. Through innovative methodologies and collaborative partnerships, the project endeavors to safeguard the rich biodiversity of India's Eastern Ghats while advancing the frontier of bioacoustic research.

Science-based conservation of piscivorous raptors across an important wetland social-ecological system in Northeast India
Grey-Headed-Fish-Eagle

A 2-year project initiated by Conservation Initiatives, Assam, with Dr. Varun R. Goswami as the PI, and Dr. Divya Vasudev, Mr. Biang Syiem and Mr. Nishanth Srinivas as Co-PIs. This project aims to develop a science-based raptor conservation program in Northeast India, beginning with a focus on the wetland-dependent piscivorous guild of eagles found in the Brahmaputra River Basin. Wetlands are a vital ecosystem for both fish-eagles and local livelihoods. Through this project, the investigators will assess the distribution of fish-eagles to identify and map priority wetlands that support such species. Thereafter, they will conduct more intensive research in the priority wetlands to study fish-eagle ecology and interrelations with people. Based on such an understanding of the wetland social-ecological system, Conservation Initiatives will conduct awareness programs on the importance of wetlands and piscivorous eagles, and collaboratively design priority recommendations for conservation of raptors and their wetland habitat.

Black Kite

BLACK KITE – A ubiquitous urban raptor

We take you to a world of kites, wheeling above our cities and towns living in close proximity with man.

Dr Nishant Kumar and Ms Urvi Gupta describe their work on this commonest Indian raptor. It started out as the subject of a master's dissertation for Nishant Kumar in 2013 and subsequently, developed into a full-blown scientific study leading to tagging of the migratory Black-eared Kites and analysing thousands of images from camera deployed at nests of Black Kites. The Raptor Research and Conservation Foundation (RRCF) has been providing funds to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun. Read More…

Black Kite

The Science of Owls

Explore the world of owls with Dr Prachi Mehta.

Owls are considered to be highly evolved birds of prey with unique adaptations for being active during the night, surviving in a niche they have specially carved for themselves. Owls provide special ecosystem services to farmers by feeding on agricultural pests, earning the title of friends of the farmers! This research is providing fresh insights into its ecology and reveals several unknown aspects of owl behaviour leading to novel research and conservation initiatives as well as strengthening our efforts in protecting their habitat. The Raptor Research and Conservation Foundation, Mumbai has been supporting long-term research and conservation of owls in Central India. Read More…

HEARTENING NEWS for VULTURES!

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, via Gazette Notification has banned the manufacture and sale of Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac. Read More…

Vulture News:

Minutes of the 89th Meeting of Drugs Technical Advisory Board held on 10th May 2023 at DGHS, Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi. Agenda No.4 Consideration of proposal for ban on the vet drugs KETOPROFEN and ACECLOFENAC for treatment of livestock animal to conserve VULTURES. Read More…

Tolfenamic acid appears to be another safe veterinary drug for vultures. According Saving Asia's Vultures From Extinction (SAVE) "it is hugely significant that a systematic safety testing study led by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has identified tolfenamic acid as the second confirmed vulture-safe NSAID after meloxicam." Tolfenamic acid is already licensed and produced by a number of different Indian manufacturers.

Research Opportunities

Demography and Population Dynamics – Population estimates based on correct identification (aging and sexing from plumage can be a difficult task) and census/survey techniques for professional surveys or habitat-focused surveys; raptor diversity, distribution and abundance; studying raptor niches (e.g., fishing eagles in riverine habitats, owls in thickly wooded patches), survival and longevity, etc.

Breeding Dynamics – Our scientific knowledge is limited even for common raptor species and hardly any information is documented for raptors, such as those inhabiting dense forests and mangroves. Detailed studies are required on courtship, mating, nest size, clutch size, incubation, brooding, daily food requirements, parental role, hatchling success, brood sizes, survival rates, recording number of breeding pairs, etc.

Migration Studies – Our knowledge of migrating raptor species is very limited which means we don't know how many migrate, when do they migrate, are there any specific routes: high mountain passes, through valleys, routes along the shore lines? As they scatter further into India, where do they feed and forage, do they remain in the same area or move again. At some point of time in the future and as we gain more information on their migration patterns we will have observation stations where regular raptor counts can be done during the migratory season. This provides an ideal opportunity where public participation will be welcome.

Study flight paths, speed, altitude, mode of flight, mortality, effects of hunting, trapping on the routes, resting or stopover points, roost sites, and final wintering sites; interaction between resident and migratory species. Identify and establish main migration routes: vulnerable stretches to be targeted for protection, inventory of stop-over resting points, roost sites, and final wintering refuges and sites; determine hunting and trapping on the routes.

Other aspects such as territory size, territory permanence, habitat quality and determining minimum areas required in biotopes, such as forest, grassland, wetland to support raptors; energetics; assessing food requirements; facets of predation. Avian genetics and identifying environment toxins.

Raptor Research and Conservation Foundation Scholarship

Are you interested in availing of a Raptor Research and Conservation Foundation Scholarship? We can fund your field work or your entire master's course. Write to us or ask your university to approach us with your project proposal and details of your syllabus.

SAVING VULTURES – Health Ministry Notice *

The Government of India issued a gazette notice effectively restricting usage of Diclofenac production for human formulations in a single 3ml dose only. Diclofenac is an inexpensive non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and is effective for treating pain and inflammation in cattle and humans but is toxic for vultures. Hopefully, strict control leads to a complete ban on this NSAID being used for treating cattle.

Covid-19 Pandemic

In light of the Indian Government's recent circular on the sudden spurt in Covid cases witnessed in China, Japan, Republic of Korea, USA and Brazil, its public health authorities have increased its vigilance in tracking and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variants in India. Raptor Research and Conservation Foundation (RRCF) again cautions its grant recipients and their team members to obey all safety instructions from local district administrations and forest departments, and to maintain safety protocols at all times.

TRUST Certificate bearing No 46479 dated 26.03.2014 to Raptor Research & Conservation Foundation.

Registered office (R.O.): Raptor Research & Conservation Foundation, Plant 11, Pirojshanagar, Vikhroli, Mumbai – 400079.

RAPTOR RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION FOUNDATION