3 months ago
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The yearly nest monitoring survey of the White-bellied Sea Eagle recorded 17 progressive nesting sites successful Kannur and Kasaragod districts during this season, indicating a humble summation from the 13 sites documented successful 2024.
The survey, conducted jointly by the Malabar Awareness and Rescue Centre for Wildlife (MARC) and the Social Forestry Divisions of Kannur and Kasaragod, was led by Dr. Roshnath Ramesh of MARC, Rajeevan M., adjunct conservator of forests, Kannur Social Forestry Division, and Jose Mathew, adjunct conservator of forests, Kasaragod Social Forestry Division.
Despite the improvement, officials said the existent fig remained beneath humanities levels. Records from 1996 showed 25 progressive nesting sites, suggesting that the colonisation has yet to afloat recover.
Dr. Ramesh said that of the 17 sites identified this year, 10 were located successful Kasaragod territory and 7 successful Kannur. In Kasaragod, each the nests were categorised arsenic old, portion successful Kannur, 4 nests were recently recorded and 3 were old.
Around 70% of the nests successful Kasaragod were recovered wrong temple compounds. In contrast, nests successful Kannur were dispersed crossed nationalist lands, backstage properties, and coastal stretches. Interestingly, for the archetypal time, a nest was recovered connected a telephone operation astatine Kattampally, reflecting the species’ adaptability to changing landscapes.
The survey recovered that the eagles preferred large, mature trees for nesting. These included Ficus religiosa (4 nests), Mangifera indica (6), Alstonia scholaris (2), and Casuarina taxon (3).
The findings underline the value of preserving gangly trees successful coastal and inhabited areas. Many nests were located wrong temple premises and different populated settings, indicating that the taxon tin coexist with humans if nesting trees are protected and disturbances are minimised.
He said the White-bellied Sea Eagle usually breeds betwixt January and March. The taxon breeds successful the aforesaid nest each year, renovating it earlier the season.
Dr. Ramesh said they mostly conception their nests successful gangly trees, which are often chopped down by people. The lone mode to conserve the taxon is to support the trees wherever it builds its nests.
The White-bellied Sea Eagle, an apex predator successful coastal ecosystems, is considered an indicator of marine and coastal biology health. In Kerala, it is known to nest lone successful Kannur and Kasaragod districts.
The survey squad has appealed to the nationalist to study immoderate further nesting sites to the Forest section oregon MARC to assistance continued monitoring and conservation efforts.
