Latest news with #Albatross


Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Aralam named butterfly sanctuary, rat snake proposal put on hold
Kochi: The state wildlife board, chaired by the chief minister, has on Wednesday approved the renaming of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, recognizing it as Kerala's first butterfly sanctuary. The board, However, deferred a decision on declaring the Indian rat snake (Ptyas mucosa), locally known as Chera, as the official state reptile. Some members opined that more detailed research is necessary before making such a designation. The renaming of Aralam Sanctuary honours its role as a major destination during the annual mass migration of butterflies, particularly the Albatross species, which arrive in large numbers. Experts attribute this phenomenon to the sanctuary's unique climate and the presence of host plants. Situated in the valley of the Brahmagiri mountain ranges, Aralam benefits from mineral-rich water flowing from the hills, which collects along the riverbanks. These minerals are vital for butterflies before breeding. "We have recorded 5,000 to 12,000 butterflies passing a single point in just five minutes," said a forest department official. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo "More studies are needed on their migration routes and whether they return." Several other proposals were also discussed at the meeting. The board agreed to approach the Union govt to provide legal heirs an additional opportunity to declare wildlife trophies that remained undisclosed following the death of certified owners. A proposal will be submitted for the construction of a ropeway to transport goods from Pamba to the Sabarimala shrine. Approval was also granted for 21 quarries and several integrated production units located outside but within 10km of various wildlife sanctuaries and eco-sensitive zones across Kerala. As part of ongoing tribal development efforts, the board decided to recommend five community centres and five roads within the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary under the Forest Rights Act.


Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
$95million superyacht Moonstone spotted off Gourock
The stunning Delta superyacht Moonstone, formerly known as Albatross, was first spotted in the Firth of Clyde shortly before 5am on Monday, June 16. (Image: George Munro) And eagle-eyed Chief Photographer George Munro was on hand to catch a glimpse of her. The 79.2-metre long vessel was built in 2016 when she was named Albatross, before being sold just 11 weeks after being put on the market. She made the trip to Inverclyde from Falmouth, in Cornwall, overnight. Members of our sister title Greenock Telegraph Camera Club were also on hand to mark the occasion with snaps of their own. (Image: Tommy Bamford - Greenock Telegraph Camera Club) (Image: Michael Deveny - Greenock Telegraph Camera Club) Moonstone has recently undergone a major re-fit at Damen Yachting's facility at Vlissingen, in the Netherlands. The refit included a seven-metre extension, a repainted hull, enhanced guest spaces and entertainment areas. This allowed for the addition of a beach club with a wellness centre, large outdoor pool, winter garden and enlarged exterior seating areas. Having originally measured 72.2 metres, Moonstone relaunched in March earlier this year with a seven-metre hull extension, where 10 metres had been removed and 17 metres added. Project manager Daan Langezaal said: "After months of work on this beautiful project, we proudly bid her farewell. "The collaboration with the owner's team ran like clockwork, and challenges were successfully overcome. A big thank you to everyone involved in this beautiful project."


The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
$95million superyacht anchors in Firth of Clyde
And the Greenock Telegraph's eagle-eyed Chief Photographer George Munro was on hand to catch a glimpse of her. The 79.2-metre long vessel was built in 2016 when she was named Albatross, before being sold just 11 weeks after being put on the market. She made the trip to Inverclyde from Falmouth, in Cornwall, overnight. (Image: Michael Deveny - Greenock Telegraph Camera Club) Members of the Greenock Telegraph Camera Club were also on hand to mark the occasion with snaps of their own. Moonstone has recently undergone a major re-fit at Damen Yachting's facility at Vlissingen, in the Netherlands. The refit included a seven-metre extension, a repainted hull, enhanced guest spaces and entertainment areas. This allowed for the addition of a beach club with a wellness centre, large outdoor pool, winter garden and enlarged exterior seating areas. Having originally measured 72.2 metres, Moonstone relaunched in March earlier this year with a seven-metre hull extension, where 10 metres had been removed and 17 metres added. Project manager Daan Langezaal said: "After months of work on this beautiful project, we proudly bid her farewell. "The collaboration with the owner's team ran like clockwork, and challenges were successfully overcome. A big thank you to everyone involved in this beautiful project."


The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Kerala may soon have a butterfly sanctuary
Kerala hopes to dedicate a wildlife sanctuary to butterflies. The State Board for Wildlife, which is likely to meet this week, would consider a proposal from the State Forest Department to rename the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary. If approved, this would be the first sanctuary dedicated to the winged insects. The State has a sanctuary dedicated to Pea Fowl, the Choolannur Pea Fowl Sanctuary in Palakkad, and one for Neelakurinji, the Kurinjimala Sanctuary. Thettekad and Mangalavanam are the other two bird sanctuaries of the State. The natural environment of the Aralam sanctuary sets the stage for the annual mass migration of the Common Albatross butterflies. The migration of butterflies, which begins around the last week of December, continues up to February. Hundreds of butterflies migrate from the higher reaches of the sanctuary to the plains, following streams and rivers. The migration typically begins around 10 a.m. and continus till 3 p.m. on all days during the period. The highest concentration of butterflies was recorded this year at Ramachithodu, emanating from Ramachifalls, with over 5,000 Common Albatross butterflies counted within a five-minute span, said Muhamed Jafer Palot, a wildlife expert of the Zoological Survey of India. Butterfly enthusiasts have been tracking the mass migration of the species for the last 25 years. Volunteers located at strategic vantage points count the butterflies. It's estimated that around four lakh butterflies have thus hit the migration route this year, he said. Besides the Albatross species, the migration of mixed Danaine species has also been recorded from the sanctuary, according to the Forest department. Surveys had earlier recorded the presence of 81% of butterflies found in the State in the sanctuary. Of the 327 species of butterflies recorded in Kerala, 266 species have been documented within 55 sq km of the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary. Among them, 27 species are endemic to the Western Ghats with six species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, according to a document prepared by the department. The department hopes to recognise the exceptional butterfly diversity and the unique Albatross migration event by renaming the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary. The renaming would also honour the efforts to protect the unique butterfly species and habitats apart from promoting butterfly-based niche ecotourism activities that would also benefit the local communities, according to the document.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Patrick Reed Records Rare Achievement at US Open
Patrick Reed Records Rare Achievement at US Open originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With the build-up to the 125th U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club being centered around how difficult the course is, it didn't seem that many were prepared for too many jaw-dropping feats. Advertisement However, Patrick Reed may have already clinched the best shot of the tournament during Thursday's opening round. While on the 4th, which is a par-5, 622-yard hole, Reed was able to find the fairway with his tee shot with a 332-yard drive. For his second shot, he found himself 286 yards away from the cup, and busted out a fairway wood. After a huge swing From Reed, the ball soared onto the green, taking a couple of bounces before rolling in. Also known as a double eagle, Reed recorded what is commonly referred to as an Albatross, which is a score of three shots under par on a hole. As indicated in the post, Reed became just the fourth player in U.S. Open history to do so, becoming the first since Nick Watney in 2012. Advertisement While the shot itself was fantastic, arguably the best aspect of it was that Reed couldn't see where the ball landed, and looked around in confusion as the spectators erupted in excitement. Patrick Reed plays his shot from the first tee LeClaire-Imagn Images The shot ended up dropping his score from one over to two under, which as of writing is currently where he sits on the day. A mark that is good enough to have him tied for fifth with a handful of other players. In the true spirit of golf where momentum is hard to maintain, Reed followed up his rare shot with a bogey on five. While this tournament is far from over, this could end up being a huge shot for Reed when it's all said and done. Advertisement Related: Dentist Competing Against Scottie Scheffler at US Open This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.