19-Jan-2023: Spot Bellied Eagle Owl (Bubo Nipalensis) spotted for the first time in Seshachalam forest, and for the third time in Andhra Pradesh.
Spot Bellied Eagle Owl
- Description: Large owl species found in wooded areas
- Distinctive feature: Spots on belly
- Also known as: Forest eagle-owl. Called "Ghost of the Forest" in India
- Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam
- Prey: Large birds and mammals such as golden jackals, hares, civets, and chevrotains
Conservation Status
IUCN: Least Concern
CITES: Appendix II
Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Overview: largest tiger reserve in India
History: declared in 1978, recognized by Project Tiger in 1983, retitled as Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in 1992
Location: spread over 5 districts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, in Nallamala Hills
Geography: consists mostly of Nallamala Hills, contains multipurpose reservoirs Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar, basin is cut by the Krishna River.
29-Nov-2018: Country’s first owl festival
Indian Owl Festival
- First-of-its-kind festival in India
- Organized by Ela Foundation, an NGO working towards nature education and conservation
- Held in Pingori village, Purandar taluka of Pune
- November 29-30 2018
Purpose of the Festival
- To create awareness about owl as a bird
- To debunk superstitions associated with owls
- To highlight the importance of owls in the ecosystem
Activities at the Festival
Exhibitions
- Art works from around 1,200 students
- Owl photos from leading owl photographers
- Sculptures and rangolis
Performances
- Skits
- Short films on owls
- All activities are free of cost
Owls and Endangerment
- 262 species of owls found in the world
- 75 species listed in the red data book
Threats to owl populations
- Superstitions
- Habitat loss
Benefits of owls in the ecosystem
- Eat rats, rodents, bandicoots, and mice
- Helpful to farmers
Wildlife Trade Monitoring Report
- Report published by Traffic India and WWF in 2010
- Owls are consumed and traded
- Black magic
- Street performances
- Taxidermy
- Private aviaries/zoos
- Food
- Folk medicines