Latest news with #vultures
Associated Press
13 hours ago
- Science
- Associated Press
An AP photographer is heartily rewarded for having a ‘spiritual' connection with the birds he made his subject
JAMMU, India (AP) — Channi Anand is a Pulitzer Prize-wining photographer for The Associated Press in northern India's Jammu and Kashmir region since 2000. He says about his work, 'I approach every frame with care and intention, especially when it comes to wildlife. Nature always has a story to tell - you just need to wait long enough to hear it.' Here's what he had to say about this extraordinary this photo? I was out searching for images that captured the intensity of the heat wave when I spotted a group of vultures gathered near the decomposed body of an animal. I thought, 'Why not photograph them today?' Later, as I reviewed the shots, this particular image stood out. I hadn't planned it - it simply revealed itself during the editing process. I noticed that together, the vultures formed a heart-like shape. That moment felt powerful enough to keep - and file to photo editors. How I made this photo You can't plan for a photo like this. You get it with patience and luck - and knowing your equipment. For this shoot, I used my Sony ILCE-1and a 70-200mm lens at 1/2500 sec to stop the action. Why this photo works Whenever I manage to capture a bird in a way that feels just right, I believe it's because the bird allowed me to. There's a kind of grace in that moment -almost spiritual. To me, it's a blessing. This image carries that same essence. It's quiet, unplanned, yet it speaks its own language. That's why it works. For more extraordinary AP photography, click here.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
Meet The Bird That Soars Higher Than Any Other. Hint: It Flies Higher Than Commercial Airplanes
Most birds don't fly that high in the air. In fact, some birds – such as the emu or the cassowary – don't fly at all. They have wings, but only in the 'vestigial' sense, meaning that their wings are non-functional remnants of their flying ancestors. Evolution went even further in New Zealand's moas, which were completely wingless. Yet there are some flight-capable bird species with a knack for soaring really high in the air. While this may sound like a matter of choice, it's actually quite complicated. Flying at high altitudes requires birds to be more efficient in their movement and energy production. For instance, research published in the Journal of Experimental Biology suggests that high-altitude birds have developed unique specializations such as more effective breathing patterns, larger lungs and blood with a higher oxygen affinity. These adaptations, according to the research, allows birds to 'improve the uptake, circulation and efficient utilization of oxygen during high-altitude hypoxia.' High-flying birds also tend to have larger wings than their low-flying cousins, presumably to allow the birds to soar without expending as much energy. Research has identified a handful of bird species that are known to soar at altitudes of 20,000+ feet – the most notable and highest soarer being the Ruppell's griffon. Here is more detail on the record-setting, 'Chuck Yeager's' of the bird world. This African vulture holds the record for the highest known bird flight. In fact, a Ruppell's griffon collided with a commercial aircraft over western Africa at an altitude of 37,000 feet, higher than the cruising height of most airliners. The species is uniquely adapted to extreme altitudes, with hemoglobin that binds oxygen more effectively than that of almost any other bird. These vultures rely on powerful soaring techniques and can cover vast distances in search of carrion, making use of rising thermal currents to stay aloft with minimal energy expenditure. This bird is known for its grueling migrations over the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. Bar-headed geese have been recorded flying at elevations above 27,000 feet during their seasonal journeys between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. To cope with the thin air, they possess a high lung capacity and their muscles are particularly efficient at using oxygen. These physiological traits allow them to flap continuously, rather than just soar, even in oxygen-starved environments. The alpine chough, a member of the crow family, lives in mountainous regions across Europe, North Africa and Asia. Though not migratory in the same way as the bar-headed goose, this species regularly forages and nests at high altitudes. Observations have documented Alpine choughs flying at over 25,000 feet. Their strong, curved wings and acrobatic flight style allow them to navigate rugged terrain with ease, making the most of updrafts and wind currents that sweep over alpine cliffs. Known for their distinctive trumpet-like calls, whooper swans are powerful, long-distance migrants. These swans have been spotted by pilots at heights of up to 25,000 feet during their transcontinental migrations between Europe and Asia. Despite their large size, their strong wings and streamlined bodies help them maintain high-altitude flight over long distances. They often travel in V-shaped formations that improve aerodynamic efficiency and conserve energy among the flock. The steppe eagle is a bird of prey that breeds in the open plains and steppes of Central Asia. These eagles are skilled soarers, often riding thermal updrafts to reach extreme heights. Their broad wings and keen eyesight make them efficient hunters and scavengers, capable of spotting prey from great distances. Their long-distance migratory routes take them across mountainous regions where such high-altitude flights are essential. Also known as the bearded vulture, the lammergeier is a striking bird that thrives in mountainous regions from Europe to the Himalayas. It has been recorded flying at heights of up to 24,000 feet, gliding on thermals. Unique among vultures, lammergeiers primarily feed on bone marrow, often dropping large bones from great heights onto rocks to crack them open. Their adaptations for high-altitude flight include long, narrow wings and a lightweight frame, enabling them to maneuver with precision in thin air. Despite their delicate appearance, demoiselle cranes are among the toughest migratory birds in the world. Each year, they make a perilous journey over the Himalayas to reach their wintering grounds in India. Flying at altitudes up to 24,000 feet, they endure fierce winds, cold temperatures and low oxygen levels. These cranes are known for their resilience and strong familial bonds, often migrating in flocks that include young birds guided by their experienced elders. Are you an animal lover who owns a pet, perhaps even a pet bird? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to know how well you know your little friend.
Wall Street Journal
04-06-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Trump's Old High School Is in Trouble (Again). Can a Chinese Businessman Fix It?
For the second time in a decade, it is up to a Chinese entrepreneur to make President Trump's high school great again. Like some of the 20th-century American institutions whose decline Trump laments, the 136-year-old New York Military Academy is in bad shape. Roof tiles are broken on century-old buildings and, on one recent visit, a reporter spotted a family of vultures nestled atop a chimney.
Hindustan Times
01-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Waterholes a lifeline for wildlife amid peak summer
As Uttar Pradesh goes through peak summer, animals in the core forest areas are heavily dependant on waterholes to keep themselves hydrated at a time when most of the natural sources have dried up. Around 350 ponds/saucer pits have been prepared/rejuvenated in core forest areas, with Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) and Kartaniyaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) being the focused ones where state's majority feline reside. 'This year, number of solar waterpumps and waterholes have been increased. The requirement was assessed via field survey, and hopefully it will serve the purpose,' said Sunil Chaudhary, principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) and head of forest force, Uttar Pradesh. According to 2022 Census, UP is home to 205 tigers and the State recorded 18.49% rise in tiger count. The DTR has been ranked fourth among tiger reserves in India, with a tiger population of 135. The DTR has Suheli and Mohana rivers, tributaries of Ghaghra river, flowing through the forest areas, but during summer, these water bodies flow with little or no water, making it tough for animals to quench their thirst. The KWS has Ghaghra and Girwa rivers, along with numerous swamps and wetlands, under a fragile Terai ecosystem. But the sanctuary undergoes a notable shift between April and June. There are three types of waterholes - first are natural waterholes (geological depressions), like small ponds or lakes. They are a key source of water for wildlife the as routes to such waterholes are in the memory of animals. But as majority of them dry up during summer, man-made waterholes become the only dependable option. The second are manmade waterholes. These are fed water by boring deep into the earth surface with the help of waterpumps, both electrical and solar. At least 10 waterholes in DTR have solar waterpumps that run for a specific period only during daytime. The third type, which is also man made, is the waterhole fed water with the help of pumps fitted on rickshaw trolley. The forest staff take the trolley from one location to another and feed water into ponds. At many places ponds are made of cement. 'Animals look for water during day, hence solar water pumps are fit for the purpose,' said H Rajamohan, director, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR). KWS is home to a number of endangered species including gharial, tiger, rhino, Gangetic Dolphin, swamp deer, Hispid hare, Bengal florican, the White-backed and Long-billed vultures in a total area of 400.9 sq km. DTR represents one of the few outstanding examples of an extremely varied Terai ecosystem, supporting a large number of endangered species. It is the largest and thickest forest reserve of India. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve deputy director Manish Singh said: 'We have 38 waterholes, of which 24 are solar pump equipped. Though monsoon is expected to arrive early, water holes are playing a crucial role in the current situation.' 'Cemented water ponds are created on forest routes that lack natural water sources. Such ponds are fed with water by trolley-mounted pumps once a day. They are deep and long enough to store water for over a day,' said a senior forest official. A tiger might drink up to 30 litres of water in a day, depending upon the heat. Water pumps fitted at one place have a drawback - big animals such as elephants often damage these pumps. Hence, these are under constant watch, and at some places, have been replaced with trolley-mounted pumps.
The Herald
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald
102 vultures killed in Mpumalanga, third mass poisoning this month
Conservationists say 102 critically endangered vultures have been found fatally poisoned in Mpumalanga. Vulpro and the Wild and Free Rehabilitation Centre in Mpumalanga said 92 white-backed vultures, of which 90% were breeding adults, nine hooded vultures and one male adult white-headed vulture were found dead in a game reserve near Marloth Park, Mpumalanga. The scene was located through real-time GPS tracking of several vultures previously rehabilitated and released by Vulpro and Wild and Free. Many carcasses were found lying around a warthog carcass. Two more carcasses were discovered by air. No body parts were taken. "Samples have been collected and will be submitted for toxicological testing to identify the poison used and supporting possible legal action," the organisations said. This is the third mass poisoning this month, with more than 120 killed after eating off an elephant carcass and 49 from a giraffe carcass in the Kruger National Park. "The scale of the poisoning is devastating," said Kerri Wolter, CEO of Vulpro. "To lose this number of vultures, let alone adult breeding birds, during breeding season is an ecological crisis." Vulpro appealed to rehabilitation centres to stop releasing vultures in the area until the threat is investigated and mitigated. TimesLIVE
