Wildlife Conservation Trust - WCT

21/05/2026

“People don’t understand the needs of wild animals. If they did, they wouldn’t really be buying exotic pets,” explained Trishala Ashok, conservation communicator working on wildlife crime, during the recently concluded English webinar Trapped in Trade: Truth About Exotic Pet Trade. In the session, she spoke about the growing demand for exotic pets, its impact on ecosystems, the immense suffering hidden behind the trade, and several alarming case studies.

Investigative journalist Siddharth Prabhakar, the second guest expert on the webinar, discussed how wildlife trafficking operates in India and across the world, the legal frameworks governing the trade (CITES and WLPA), and why enforcement continues to remain a challenge, alongside sharing case studies and rescue stories.

The English edition of Trapped in Trade: Truth About Exotic Pet Trade explored the realities of wildlife trafficking, animal cruelty, zoonotic disease risks, and the dangerous demand for wildlife as pets.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/K7UXv3q-qik

We now invite you to join the Hindi edition of the webinar and be part of an important conversation on the hidden costs of the exotic pet trade.

Register Here: https://forms.gle/9W2SmFKYuW4Z2Wu9A

19/05/2026

Meet the resilient plants of open, arid landscapes, uniquely adapted to endure extreme heat, scarce water, and ever-shifting sands. These species are more than survivors; they are the backbone of dryland ecosystems. From stabilizing sand dunes and preventing erosion to providing food and shelter for wildlife, they play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. Often overlooked, these plants quietly sustain life in some of the harshest environments on Earth.

Featured Dryland Plants Species No. 3:

Salvadora oleoides (Peelu): A salt-tolerant desert tree valued for its edible berries and traditional fodder.

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आइए मिलते हैं शुष्क भूभागों के उन सख़्तजान पौधों से जो भीषण गर्मी, पानी की कमी और लगातार अपना स्थान बदलती रेत, सभी कुछ झेलने के लिए विशिष्ट रूप से अनुकूलित हैं। ये प्रजातियाँ केवल जुझारू ही नहीं हैं; बल्कि ये शुष्क भूमि पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र की रीढ़ हैं। रेत के टीलों को स्थिर करने और कटाव को रोकने से लेकर वन्यजीवों को भोजन और आश्रय प्रदान करने तक, ये पारिस्थितिक संतुलन बनाए रखने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाते हैं। अक्सर उपेक्षित रहने वाले ये पौधे पृथ्वी के कुछ सबसे कठोर वातावरणों में जीवन को बनाए रखते हैं।

विशेष शुष्क क्षेत्रीय पौधा प्रजाति संख्या 3:

सल्वाडोरा ओलियोइड्स (पीलू) एक ऐसा रेगिस्तानी पेड़ है जो खारे और सूखे इलाकों में भी आसानी से उग जाता है। इसके फल खाने योग्य होते हैं और इसकी पत्तियाँ व टहनियाँ पशुओं के चारे के रूप में पारंपरिक तौर पर इस्तेमाल की जाती हैं।

Illustration by Akshaya Zachariah ( )

18/05/2026

We’re hiring!

WCT is looking for a Field Coordinator to join its ecosystem restoration project near Dharni, adjoining Melghat Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. Broadly, this role will involve ecological field work, implementation of restoration activities on Community Forest Resource (CFR) lands, community engagement, training programmes and coordination with the local NGO partner.

This is an exciting opportunity for individuals passionate about ecosystem restoration and community-based conservation to gain meaningful field experience in a biodiverse and culturally rich tribal landscape.

Interested persons should apply by 5 June 2026, via the link provided in the bio and on the website. 

Visit the Careers page on the WCT website to learn more about the role before applying.

https://www.wildlifeconservationtrust.org/get-involved/careers/field-coordinator-position-for-ecosystem-restoration-programme-melghat/

15/05/2026

14/05/2026

Red, blue, green, yellow, albino…Gotta catch ’em all? Or maybe not. Iguanas may look like collectible “baby dinosaurs,” but they grow up to 5–6 feet long, live for decades, and require room-sized enclosures, strict lighting, specialised diets, and years of consistent handling. But what happens when the novelty fades? Just ask the people of Florida, where iguanas released by people have established invasive populations, severely impacting native species!
One of the major collateral impacts of exotic pet trade is the introduction of invasive alien species thereby threatening native animals and plants, and altering natural ecosystems worldwide.

Say no to buying, breeding, and selling wild animals as pets! Support the campaign by engaging with us, and amplifying the conversation.

We have created an important repository of information and resources for those interested in understanding the nuances of this significant issue - https://www.wildlifeconservationtrust.org/our-work/campaigns/trapped-in-trade-2/

Remember, ≠Pet.

14/05/2026

Red, blue, green, yellow, albino…Gotta catch ’em all? Or maybe not. Iguanas may look like collectible “baby dinosaurs,” but they grow up to 5–6 feet long, live for decades, and require room-sized enclosures, strict lighting, specialised diets, and years of consistent handling. But what happens when the novelty fades? Just ask the people of Florida, where iguanas released by people have established invasive populations, severely impacting native species!

One of the major collateral impacts of exotic pet trade is the introduction of invasive alien species thereby threatening native animals and plants, and altering natural ecosystems worldwide.

Say no to buying, breeding, and selling wild animals as pets! Support the campaign by engaging with us, and amplifying the conversation.

We have created an important repository of information and resources for those interested in understanding the nuances of this significant issue - https://www.wildlifeconservationtrust.org/our-work/campaigns/trapped-in-trade-2/

Remember, ≠Pet.

14/05/2026

A bird that can charm you with mimicry and boost your views and follower count? You must be talking about the macaw. But should a bird built to fly thousands of kilometres across the Amazon ever be kept as pet or used for entertainment? Swipe to find out how macaws suffer in captivity!

Say no to buying, breeding, and selling wild animals as pets! Support the campaign by engaging with us, and amplifying the conversation.

Remember, ≠Pet.

We have created an important repository of information for those interested in understanding the nuances of this significant issue - https://www.wildlifeconservationtrust.org/our-work/campaigns/trapped-in-trade-2/

12/05/2026

The nocturnal duo!

The honey badger, or the Indian ratel, is an extremely difficult-to-spot nocturnal mammal. Researchers and naturalists can go an entire lifetime without glimpsing this highly elusive species.

The Indian crested porcupine, another night explorer, is definitely easier to spot compared to the honey badger, but is still a rather uncommon sight. However, capturing both of these nocturnal species in the same frame is an exceptionally rare natural history moment.

From the image, it is clear that the porcupine is alarmed by the badger’s presence - known for its tenacity and persistence - as indicated by its erect quills. What was the result of this interaction? Do honey badgers prey upon porcupines, or do the two respect each other for opposing reasons: one for its hunting skills and the other for its nearly impregnable defense mechanism? These and many more are fascinating questions that encourage further study and research.

10/05/2026

Roars apart, how else do tigers talk to each other? How are communication signals transmitted and received? The visual, acoustic, and chemical cues (read clues) left behind by tigers offer us fascinating glimpses into the inner lives of these magnificent big cats!

‘Think Like an Ecologist’ is a comic series by Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Artwork by Akshaya Zachariah ( )
Concept and script by Purva Variyar ( )