Wildlife Conservation Society-India

Wildlife Conservation Society-India WCS India works for conservation of wildlife and wild places by applying rigorous science to what we do, and also partnering with the government.

WCS-India inspires and nurtures positive attitudes towards nature in people through its science and conservation endeavors.

At the CHANDRAMA (Chandrapur Forest Academy), Chandrapur, a guest lecture by Nikit Surve from WCS-India explored the rea...
15/04/2026

At the CHANDRAMA (Chandrapur Forest Academy), Chandrapur, a guest lecture by Nikit Surve from WCS-India explored the realities of human-wildlife interactions with IFS officers from across the country.

As part of a MoEF&CC-aligned training programme (5th-9th January 2026), the session unpacked interaction scenarios and mitigation strategies from landscapes like Junnar and Mumbai, highlighting how proactive, evidence-based approaches can help prevent interactions before it escalates.

The discussion emphasised understanding root causes, adapting learnings across regions, and strengthening on-ground responses to build safer coexistence across India.

Meet this week's : the Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria).A little bird with big flair, its butterfly-esque crimson wings...
14/04/2026

Meet this week's : the Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria).

A little bird with big flair, its butterfly-esque crimson wings contrast against sheer rock faces. This elusive species is built for life on vertical cliffs, gorges, and high-altitude valleys. The wallcreeper’s range stretches across southern Europe through Central Asia into the Himalayas, favouring rugged, undisturbed landscapes where few others dare to forage.

Beyond the flair, the wallcreeper helps regulate invertebrate populations in fragile mountain ecosystems by probing rock crevices for insects and spiders. Its presence is often a sign of intact cliffside habitats, making it an understated indicator of ecosystem health.

Art by Sayanti Basak

Twenty-three participants joined us for a morning of birding in Kodagu, Karnataka, led by Pattada Bopanna. From spotting...
09/04/2026

Twenty-three participants joined us for a morning of birding in Kodagu, Karnataka, led by Pattada Bopanna. From spotting species to tuning in to bird calls, the walk was a wonderful opportunity to observe and learn about the rich birdlife that thrives in this landscape. 🐦🌿

As we moved through coffee agroforests, the walk became a reminder to slow down and appreciate the incredible biodiversity that exists all around us, often hidden in plain sight.

Among the highlights of the morning were sightings of the Indian paradise flycatcher and the grey-fronted green pigeon, a species endemic to the Western Ghats.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, especially our young participants, for making the morning so special. ☀️

This week on , we are spotlighting the White-eyed Buzzard 🦅Often seen across farms, scrublands, grasslands, and village...
08/04/2026

This week on , we are spotlighting the White-eyed Buzzard 🦅

Often seen across farms, scrublands, grasslands, and village edges, this sharp-eyed raptor is more than just an impressive hunter. By feeding on insects, rodents, frogs, and lizards, it plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting agricultural landscapes.

Although currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, the White-eyed Buzzard continues to face threats such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and powerline electrocution.

The next time you spot one perched nearby, take a moment to appreciate this quiet guardian of the open country.

Illustration by Rucha Bhave

This International Day of Forests, we are shifting the focus to the lesser-known yet vital components of the forests of ...
21/03/2026

This International Day of Forests, we are shifting the focus to the lesser-known yet vital components of the forests of India.

Beyond the obvious lies a hidden world of wildlife that silently keeps ecosystems balanced and completes the web of life.

Swipe to learn about some of our underappreciated wildlife that inhabit forests across India.

On 26th February 2026, the Rudraprayag Forest Division organised an interactive stakeholder meet to address rising human...
10/03/2026

On 26th February 2026, the Rudraprayag Forest Division organised an interactive stakeholder meet to address rising human-wildlife interactions, with leopards and bears at the centre of the dialogue. Organised by Mr. Rajat Suman (DFO Rudraprayag) in collaboration with Titli Trust, Wildlife Conservation Society - India and Asar, and supported by Rainmatter Foundation, the meeting brought together forest staff, Van Panchayat leaders, school and college students, local people and media representatives.

The 'Living with Leopards' initiatives in Rudraprayag took centre stage, alongside cross-learning from Maharashtra and Uttarakhand by Mr. Nikit Surve (WCS-India) and Mr. Sanjay Sondhi (Titli Trust). Mr. Virat Singh (Asar) highlighted the need for evidence-based reporting of human-wildlife interactions, while Dr. Seth Wilson (Blackfoot Challenge) shared practical perspectives on bear conflict management from the United States.

The session concluded with the distribution of 'Busting Myths About Leopards and Learning to Live with Them' and 'A Guidebook to Human-Carnivore Conflict' books, reinforcing informed, safer coexistence in shared landscapes.

On February 25, 2026, the Narendranagar Forest Division, in collaboration with Titli Trust, Wildlife Conservation Societ...
02/03/2026

On February 25, 2026, the Narendranagar Forest Division, in collaboration with Titli Trust, Wildlife Conservation Society - India and Asar, with support from Rainmatter Foundation, convened a stakeholder meeting in Maletha, Devprayag, to address the rising challenges of human–leopard interactions in the region.

Organised by Mr. Diganth Nayak (DFO Narendranagar), the meeting brought together staff from the Tehri and Narendranagar Forest Divisions, MLA Vinod Kandhari, Van Panchayat sarpanches, local community members from Maletha, and media representatives.

The session provided insights into the “Living with Leopards” initiatives in Narendranagar Forest Division, followed by program overviews from Maharashtra and Uttarakhand by Mr. Nikit Surve (WCS-India) and Mr. Sanjay Sondhi (Titli Trust). Mr. Virat Singh (Asar) emphasised the need for evidence-based reporting on human-wildlife interactions.

A Hindi awareness booklet, Busting Myths About Leopards and Learning to Live with Them, was also distributed to promote informed and safe coexistence in shared landscapes.


Earlier this month, Raagini from the Agroforest Biodiversity Programme partnered with Ecologist Sannuvanda Chengappa to ...
17/02/2026

Earlier this month, Raagini from the Agroforest Biodiversity Programme partnered with Ecologist Sannuvanda Chengappa to lead a Tree Walk in Kodagu. The trail began in a coffee plantation and extended into a community-protected area, offering participants a glimpse into the layered biodiversity of the landscape.

Along the way, the group encountered a diverse tree community that included numerous native species such as the allergy-inducing black varnish tree (Holigarna arnottiana), the culturally significant dhoopa tree (Canarium strictum) in its striking red flush, and fruit-bearing species such as koomathi pann (Dimocarpus longan), kotte pann (Ziziphus rugosa), and amme pann (Psydrax dicoccus). They also observed naturalised species like the cannonball tree (Couroupita guianensis), along with exotics such as silver oak (Grevillea robusta) and acacia.

The walk encouraged participants to slow down, observe, and appreciate the biodiversity around them, while creating space to share traditional knowledge about trees, especially with the younger generation.

With support from Rainmatter Foundation, members from the Urban Biodiversity programme at WCS-India had a wonderful time...
23/01/2026

With support from Rainmatter Foundation, members from the Urban Biodiversity programme at WCS-India had a wonderful time at the EcoFest organised by SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sion, where we hosted an interactive stall celebrating Mumbai’s incredible biodiversity. Through stories from our work on Leopards and Bonnet Macaques, along with fun, hands-on activities, students and faculty explored how wildlife shares our city and why coexistence matters.

From learning about how leopards are individually identified, to why feeding monkeys is doing more harm than good, our visitors' minds ran curious with thoughtful questions, and lots of “I didn’t know that!” moments... exactly what urban biodiversity conversations should look like!

Bannerughatta Biological Park recently hosted a 15-week Zoo Club workshop aimed at inspiring young minds to connect with...
23/01/2026

Bannerughatta Biological Park recently hosted a 15-week Zoo Club workshop aimed at inspiring young minds to connect with nature and wildlife. Held every Sunday, the sessions introduced students to captive animal management, in situ and ex situ conservation, animal behaviour, and issues of care and welfare.

The programme concluded with a convocation on 18 January 2026, where students showcased creative skits on themes such as human–wildlife interactions and the impacts of plastic pollution and solid waste on wildlife. The event also featured a talk on careers in wildlife, ecology, and conservation by Dr. Vishnupriya Sankararaman from WCS-India, engaging both students and their parents.

The convocation was chaired by dignitaries from Bannerughatta Biological Park, including Dr. Anand, Shri. Mahesh, Smt. Arpitha, and Shri. Prasad Babu, along with Shri. Harshavardhana from Bannerghatta National Park.

Launching soon! Something exciting is brewing for January. We are back with . Come discover trees, insects, birds and m...
01/01/2026

Launching soon! Something exciting is brewing for January. We are back with . Come discover trees, insects, birds and more with photos, reels and creativity. Watch this space for the first theme.

The campaign is a collaborative effort to help us all reconnect with nature in our everyday lives.

It is brought to you by , , , , , , , , .india, , , , .india, , , , , , , , , , , , .

Members of Dive Goa, along with Dr. Afreen Hussain, Dylan D’Souza, and Karan Deshpande from WCS-India’s Coral Reef Resea...
23/12/2025

Members of Dive Goa, along with Dr. Afreen Hussain, Dylan D’Souza, and Karan Deshpande from WCS-India’s Coral Reef Research and Conservation Project, co-organised a coral reef talk and quiz at Dive Goa’s premises in Sinquerim, Goa.

Dr. Afreen Hussain delivered a talk on – The Secret Lives of Corals: Microbes, Diseases, and Health of the Reef; encompassing her research on the coral reef habitats of Malvan, Goa and Palk Bay. Twenty participants attended the event, including dive professionals, dive shop managers and long-time members of the coral reef tourism community in Goa. The event aimed to apprise the community about the declining health of coral reefs along the central west coast of India and create a collaborative network that shares observations from the underwater habitat, co-developing a knowledge system amongst stakeholders of the coral reef tourism sector.

The evening ended with a fun and competitive quiz themed after marine life and coral reef-associated fauna where teams enthusiastically participated for quiz prizes.

We thank for their continued support, towards safeguarding coral reef habitats along the west coast of India.

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#551, 7th Main Road, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, 2nd Phase, Kodigehalli
Bangalore
560097

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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080-29737455

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