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The close range of the prints suggests that the two species walked through the same lakeshore area within hours or days of each other. Two ancient hominin species once coexisted in what's now Kenya, researchers have found. Published in Science magazine, the finding is based on the analysis of 1.5 million-year-old footprints uncovered at the Koobi Fora site in the East Turkana Area of Kenya. The footprints were discovered in July 2021 and belonged to two individuals from different species - Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei. The close range of the prints suggests that the two species walked through the same lakeshore area within hours or days of each other. "This is the first snapshot we have of those two species living on the same immediate landscape, potentially interacting with one another," says study co-author Kevin Hatala, a palaeoanthropologist at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The mud-preserved footprints offer a rare and valuable glimpse into the lives of ancient humans. They reveal intricate details about the individuals, such as the height of their foot arches, the shape of their toes, and their distinct walking patterns. "It really is a snapshot in time," says Tracy Kivell, a palaeoanthropologist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. The discovery offers significant details for our understanding of human evolution. Previous studies had suggested that different hominin species lived alongside each other, but this finding provides direct evidence of their coexistence. "These fossilised footprints are as close as we are going to get to having a time machine to take us back to an eastern African lakeshore 1.5 million years ago," says Bernard Wood, a palaeoanthropologist at George Washington University in Washington DC. The study's findings are based on a detailed analysis of the footprints, which included the use of 3D X-ray-based imaging techniques. The researchers compared the footprints to those of modern humans and found significant differences in the shape and structure of the feet. The discovery of the footprints has also offered valuable insights into the environment and ecosystem of the region 1.5 million years ago. Along with the hominin tracks, the site contained footprints from 30 relatives of cattle, three horse-like animals, and 61 bird species, including the now-extinct giant stork, Leptoptilos falconeri. Kevin Hatala hopes to combine data from both footprints and bone fossils to gain a clearer picture of life during this phase of human evolution. Future studies may also focus on the animals and birds, adding more context to the environment of early hominins. Bernard Wood says, "That just brings the whole thing alive in a way that, with regular fossil evidence, it's difficult to do."
Ludhiana: As International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed on July 3, rising use of plastics, including plastic bags, are posing an unprecedented threat to bird population. Ornithologists and conservationists are sounding urgent alarms about the growing menace of plastic pollution -- that is choking habitats, contaminating food chains, and pushing several bird species to the brink of collapse.Plastic has turned into a long-lasting hazard in natural ecosystems. Each year, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally, and a staggering amount finds its way into the open environment. ...Read More >
Morbi pretium leo et nisl aliquam mollis. Quisque arcu lorem, ultricies quis pellentesque nec, ullamcorper eu odio. Michael Saylor has just purchased 525 more Bitcoins, increasing Strategy's total BTC holdings to 638,985, valued at approximately $73B. Anchored in Saylor's thesis that Bitcoin is superior to gold, Strategy has parked its cash reserves in $BTC, shielding itself from inflation and currency fluctuations. Despite a recent dip in the Strategy's stock price, several companies and some US states are considering similar moves with their own treasuries. Strategy's massive $BTC buy ha ...Read More >
Itanagar, Apr 4: Researchers have identified three previously unknown species of rove beetles in Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting the state's vast yet underexplored insect diversity. The study, published recently in the journal Soil Organisms, documented three new species under the genus Megalopinus - Megalopinus arunachalensis, Megalopinus mithun, and Megalopinus micros. The findings were the result of a collaborative study conducted by scientists from Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) at Doimukh near here, and the University of Tubingen in Germany. The research team included Hiren Gogoi, Tagam ...Read More >
Jaipur: Police in Didwana have stepped up their probe into a cross-border smuggling case in which they arrested two arms and drug smugglers on June 27 for supplying Austrian Glock and Chinese Norinco pistols. It has emerged that the case has links to a massive Rs 300-crore heroin consignment seized by Punjab's Amritsar police near the India-Pakistan border in Barmer on June 30. Canada-based Joben Kaler was identified as the main overseas handler of the heroin consignment. Didwana-Kuchaman police had arrested Mohammad Ilyas from Khunkhuna and Amarjeet Singh Takhar, alias Prince, from Jalandhar ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 28 (PTI) India's gains from importing discounted Russian oil are estimated to be just USD 2.5 billion per annum, significantly lower than the previously speculated range of USD 10-25 billion, a research report said on Thursday. Stopping Russian oil imports would force India, the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer, to rely on limited alternatives, potentially driving global crude prices up to USD 100 per barrel amid rising demand and tight supply. "Benefit from Russian oil imports is way less than exaggerated media numbers," brokerage CLSA said in a report. While ...Read More >
Kendrapara (Odisha), Feb 16 (PTI) Migratory birds of the trans-Himalayan region have started their homeward journey from Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district after a four-month-long winter sojourn, a forest official said on Monday. More than 1.52 lakh feathered guests of 106 species had flocked to the Bhitarkanika wetland sites this year to avoid the harsh winter, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division assistant conservator Manas Das said. Every year, birds fly thousands of miles to Bhitarkanika to escape the severe cold conditions in northern Asia and some centra ...Read More >
Srinagar, June 7: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on Saturday, congratulated the University of Kashmir for getting an A++ grade in the NAAC inspection. The Lt Governor extended his heartiest congratulations to the Vice Chancellor, faculty, staff, and students of the University of Kashmir for attaining the prestigious A++ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), and securing an outstanding Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.68 on a seven-point scale. Calling it a proud moment for J&K UT, the Lt Governor said, "The A++ Grade places the Un ...Read More >
VISAKHAPATNAM: In a first for any zoological park in Andhra Pradesh, the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) in Visakhapatnam has successfully hatched 27 bird chicks through artificial incubation, while seven others were hatched naturally. The chicks belong to five bird species, including Blue Gold Macaw, Lutino Parakeet, Peach-Faced Lovebird, Red Junglefowl, and Indian Peafowl. The zoo's veterinary team, including one senior veterinarian, one conservation biologist, and two paravets and animal keepers, carried out the work. Among the 34 chicks, three Lutino Parakeets and four Peach-Faced ...Read More >
New Delhi: An 11-year-old female hyena died at the Delhi Zoo on Thursday under "mysterious" circumstances, zoo officials said, stating a post-mortem examination will be conducted to ascertain the actual cause of death. The zoo is now left with only two hyenas, a male and a female. The hyena was found lying in its den -- within the enclosure. The body was retrieved and sent to the zoo hospital, where it was discovered that she had already died. Typically, hyenas stay inside dens created in the enclosure area, but they feed on the backside of the enclosure -- where zoo staff serves food to them ...Read More >
Shimla, July 5: The cumulative death toll in Himachal Pradesh's ongoing monsoon season has climbed to 75, combining 45 rain-related fatalities and 30 accidental deaths, including those from road mishaps, electrocution, and a gas explosion, according to official data released by the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC). The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) released data covering the period from June 20 to July 4, 2025, which showed large-scale destruction across the hill state. The seasonal damage report, covering the period from June 20 to July 4, 2025, paints a grim picture of de ...Read More >
Jaisalmer, Jun 7 (PTI) To honour the armed forces following Operation Sindoor, a special tribute is taking shape in the border state of Rajasthan - rare Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chicks born under a conservation project in Jaisalmer have been named after key officers and significant milestones linked to the operation. Names like 'Sindoor', 'Atom', 'Mishri', 'Vyom', and 'Sophia' now resonate through the conservation centres at Sudasari and Sam, where science, strategy and national pride are working together to revive one of India's most endangered bird species. "By giving these chicks these ...Read More >
Jaipur: Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Friday flagged off the first air-conditioned 'Rajasthan Vahini Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train' from Durgapura railway station under the Devasthan department's Senior Citizens Pilgrimage Scheme-2025. This initiative marked the beginning of the pilgrimage to Rameshwaram, carrying around 800 passengers.Under the scheme, 50,000 senior citizens will travel to 13 different pilgrimage sites via AC trains for the first time this year. The eight-day journey is the longest among the Devasthan department's pilgrimages, including visits to the Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlin ...Read More >
Nagpur: Development without ecology is not development it is devastation in disguise, remarked, environmentalist and member of the State Board for Wildlife Shrikant Tekade while addressing a World Environment Day programme organised by RTO Nagpur in collaboration with the Institute of Environment, Ecology, Health & Management (IEEHM).Speaking on this year's theme 'Beat Plastic Pollution and Deforestation', Tekade painted a grim picture of plastic misuse and its growing impact on both urban and forest ecosystems. He pointed out that Nagpur generates over 1,100 tonnes of municipal waste daily, o ...Read More >
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], June 29 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in saving Jaipur's Dol Ka Badh forest from destruction. The Rajasthan government plans to convert the forest into a commercial hub, featuring a Prime Minister's Unity Mall, a Fintech Park, and hotels, which would involve cutting down approximately 2,400 trees. Sanjay Singh, in a letter to PM Modi, mentioned that the project is against the 'ideology' of PM Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' mission and would harm the natural form and ecological balance of the area, exacerbat ...Read More >
Lucknow: Taking cognisance of the potential threat of bird flu, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed concerned departments to coordinate and take measures to prevent the prevalence of the H5 virus in the state. He said that efforts should be stepped up in all zoos, sanctuaries, national parks, etc.On Monday, the bird flu virus was diagnosed in the poultry birds in Rampur after an estimated 15,000 chickens died.The chief minister also instructed the health department to conduct an in-depth study of the potential impacts of H5 avian influenza on human health and present a report ...Read More >
Namsai (Arunachal Pradesh) [India], July 9 (ANI): Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has launched the Nadi Utsav 2025 at Namsai in a bid to conserve aquatic life and restore fish populations in the river systems. As part of the initiative, 30,000 fingerlings of various fish species, including Rohu, Catla, Mrigal, Grass Carp, Labeo Gonius, and Labeo Kalbasu, were released into the Marua, Teang, and Namtenga rivers on Tuesday. The release also included endangered local freshwater species such as Pavi, Pahum, and Palao, with the goal of restoring their populations in the riveri ...Read More >
Chennai: Madras high court has clarified that private self-financing medical colleges are required to pay only a stipend, and not a full salary, to in-service govt doctors pursuing postgraduate or super-specialty courses under the govt quota.A division bench of Justice R Subramanian and Justice K Surender passed the order while partly allowing a batch of appeals moved by Karpaga Vinayaga Medical College and others. They challenged a single judge's order that directed private colleges to pay salaries to in-service doctors studying in their institutions.The appeals were moved based on a GO dated ...Read More >
BHAWANIPATNA: Kalahandi police seized 6,500 kg of explosives and arrested four persons in connection with illegal transportation of mining explosives on Wednesday. The operation was conducted following an FIR filed by a junior mining officer during a raid near a stone query and crusher at Lakhbahali under Jaipatna police limits. During inspection, two explosive-laden vehicles were found stationed near the site. SP Kalahandi Nagraj Debarkonda informed that the seized materials included 100 IDEAL Boost CDA, APEX CORD totalling 6,500 kg of cartridges and 115 detonators (each 750 metre long). Th ...Read More >
Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh): The adult male Caracal was spotted in the camera surveillance system of Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, within the Bhanpura-Garot assembly constituency area, along the Chambal River, on Thursday night. This records as the first confirmed sighting of the species in a protected area of the state in several years. Caracals, known locally by the same name, are extremely shy, nocturnal carnivores, renowned for their exceptional agility and speed. Weighing between 7-18 kilograms, these wild cats prefer dry, bushy, rocky terrain and open grasslands. The species is curr ...Read More >
Bengaluru, August 4: A shocking incident has come to light from Karnataka, where the deaths of 20 peacocks have rocked a village. It is reported that carcasses of three male and 17 female peacocks were allegedly found in Hanumanthapura village. Notably, the carcasses were found near a stream by local farmers and were allegedly scattered across a farmland this morning, August 4. That said, the cause of the death of the peacocks, the country's national bird, is yet to be ascertained. According to a report in NDTV, forest officials reached the spot after being alerted about the incident. They in ...Read More >
Itanagar: A total of 89 different bird species were recorded during a two-day bird survey conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club at Nongsaya Lake, located at Jona in Namsai district.The survey was conducted earlier this year in association with the public works department, Namsai division, conservationist Koj Mama said.Nongsaya Lake, situated around 9km from Namsai district headquarters, offers an opportunity for biodiversity protection. Its surrounding environment has the potential for bird and butterfly conservation, as well as providing natural spaces for environmental education an ...Read More >
Guwahati, Jul 14 (PTI) Over 40 bird species, including a critically endangered and two endangered ones, have been recorded in the first-ever grassland survey in Assam's Kaziranga National Park, a state minister said on Monday. "Thrilled to share that @kaziranga_'s first-ever grassland survey has recorded 43 grassland bird species - including 1 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable species, plus several regional endemics," Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said in a post on X. The Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem boasts the highest diversity of grassland obligate birds in ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Oct 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Expressing concern over incidents of tiger and elephant killings in the state, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday issued a stern warning that strict action will be taken against those who kill wildlife, as he emphasised that forests have no value without animals. In his remarks after presenting the Chief Minister's Medal to environmental and forest conservation officers at the valedictory function of the 71st Wildlife Week held at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha here, he said that harming wildlife will not be tolerated. The Chief Minister ...Read More >
India's Vantara Sets a Global Benchmark: CITES endorses Transparency, Ethics and Scientific Rigor in Private Conservation In a rare commendation from international regulators, India's Vantara initiative has earned high praise from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), marking a milestone in private-sector conservation. Following detailed inspections and document reviews, CITES concluded that Vantara's Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre and the Radha Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust operate with "exceptionally high standards" -- fully complia ...Read More >
Guwahati: A community forest in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district has emerged as a significant biodiversity hotspot, with a recent study documenting a rich diversity of swallowtail butterflies, including several legally protected species. The findings highlight both the ecological importance and vulnerability of these landscapes. The study, conducted by A.D. Marbaniang and S.R. Hajong, recorded 15 species of swallowtail butterflies (Papilionidae) in the Saiden Community Forest over a year-long survey. The research underscores the crucial role community-managed forests play in biodiversity conserva ...Read More >
Sambalpur: The population of Indian bison (Gaur) in Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary has increased to 788 from 659 in six months, a forest officer said. The authorities of Hirakud Wildlife Division conducted the census from May 11 to May 13 this year and published the report Friday. As per the report, the total number of Indian bison in the wildlife sanctuary is 788, which includes 315 juveniles (less than 2 years old) and 128 newborns (less than 3 months old). Of the total bison population, 315 (40 per cent) are juvenile. For the first time, the census of Indian bison was conducted at Debrigarh d ...Read More >
Meanwhile, the state health department has been instructed to submit a report on preventing the spread of H5 Avian Influenza to humans A bird flu alert was issued in Uttar Pradesh this Wednesday, with orders issued on guidelines for prevention against the potential threat of H5 Avian Influenza. After a review, the Chief Minister directed all the concerned departments to ensure the safety of the "protected animals and birds", warning against negligence. Meanwhile, the state health department ha ...Read More >
New Delhi: On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), a non-profit uplifting the cause of millions of farmers and farm workers involved in commercial crop cultivation in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, organised a national seminar on the theme "Supplementing Farmer Income through Sustainable Farming Practices" at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. The seminar outlined a sustainable approach to leverage proven climate-resilient technologies to empower farmers. During ...Read More >
Pune, July 15 (PTI) As many as 14 deer have died over the last four to five days in the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune due to unidentified reasons, officials said on Tuesday. A Pune Municipal Corporation veterinary officer said authorities are examining various possibilities including infection through the deer feed to identify the cause behind the fatalities. He said medical reports are awaited to understand the details. "Bucks are drying every day since the last four to five days. On T ...Read More >
Patna, Jul 19 (PTI) The Bihar government on Saturday said that more than 12,000 new polling stations have been created in the state as per the recommendation of the Election Commission, as part of special intensive revision (SIR). According to a release issued by the election department, the total number of polling stations has risen to 90,712 from 77,895, after the establishment of 12,817 new ones. Of these, 12,479 polling stations have been set up "at the same building or premises housing the existing ones", while the remaining ones are "in the vicinity". A "district-wise list" of the new ...Read More >