Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning (FERAL)

31/12/2025

23/10/2025

Our long-term eco-hydrological research in the Nilgiris reveals the impact of invasive alien species on natural water systems. These streams, rivulets and rivers sustain not only the unique and diverse flora and fauna of this biodiversity hotspot but also the millions of people downstream. Restoring native vegetation is key to strengthening ecosystem resilience.💧

With your support, we can continue generating the science and solutions needed to guide restoration and conservation in this fragile landscape. 🌿

👉 Click here to support our initiative in the Nilgiris: https://www.feralindia.org/Announcements/Shola_Grasslands_Streams

24/09/2025

This past Monday, September 22nd, FERAL was delighted to host an insightful and popular talk by Drs. Divya Panicker and Isha Bopardikar. The presentation explored the fascinating world of cetacean acoustics and what we can learn from listening to whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

06/03/2025

Dr. Ajith Kumar’s passing is a profound loss to the wildlife conservation and academic community—and to many of us, a deeply personal one. Until his final moments, he was doing what he loved most: being with his students on field observing nature. A remarkable mentor, teacher, and conservationist, Ajith was known for his vast knowledge, sharp wit, and boundless enthusiasm. With him, there was never a dull moment.
For over 20 years, he played a crucial role in guiding the Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning (FERAL), first as a friend and fellow primatologist of our founding trustee, Dr. Rauf Ali, he advised us on many of our research and conservation projects. Later, he formally joined us as a member of our Academic Advisory Board. His insights at our last meeting in December 2024 reflected his unwavering commitment to both conservation and education.
Ajith’s impact goes beyond the institutions he was part of—he shaped countless students and colleagues, leaving behind a legacy of passion and dedication. Ajith was a simple, humble, affectionate human being, and was equally famous for his spirited evenings of banter and fun often followed by a busy day at the office or on field. Though he is no longer with us, his influence remains strong. We will carry forward our work, inspired by his words and driven by his example.
His famous line with his students “All that is fine, but what about the paper?” is still widely used by us and will continue to be used for years to come.

04/03/2025

Have you ever wondered what your pet cat does all day? The secret lives of Doon's cats, a comic book, is based on a study we undertook to learn about how cats in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, spend their time and how they affect birds in the city. We visited 445 homes between August 2023 and November 2024, and guess what? Out of these, 95 families had cats as pets. We asked cat owners questions about their pets, like what they eat, how often they play, the types of "gifts" (prey) they bring home, etc..
This comic shares some of our interesting findings and gives tips on how we can take care of our cats in a way that helps protect the birds and other wildlife around us.
Download the comic book from the following link:
https://ruffordorg.s3.amazonaws.com/media/project_reports/The_Secret_Lives_of_Doons_Cats_compressed.pdf

12/01/2025

Join us for a 5-day Certificate Course on Spatial Data Analysis!
🗓️ When: 4th–8th February 2025
📍 Where: FERAL campus, Morattandi, Auroville post, Tamil Nadu

Learn to map and analyze biodiversity and environmental data using QGIS and R in this hands-on course hosted by FERAL.

✅ Master spatial analysis basics and advanced techniques
✅ Create publication-quality maps with open-source tools
✅ Earn a certificate upon completion

🍴 Food, refreshments, and shared accommodation included!

🖱️ Register now (1st–15th Jan 2025): [email protected] / +91 6360967449

Don't miss this chance to boost your GIS and R skills!