Zoo Outreach Organisation

Kalatop–Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary represents one of the ecologically significant forested landscapes of the northwestern Himalaya; however, updated and systematic documentation of its vascular flora has remained limited. In view of increasing anthropogenic pressures and climate variability, a comprehensive floristic survey was undertaken during 2023–2025 to assess the plant diversity and conservation status of the sanctuary. A total of 141 plant species representing 112 genera and 53 families were recorded. Out of these, 136 species belonged to angiosperms and five species to gymnosperms. Among dicotyledons, Asteraceae was the most dominant family, with 24 species. Among the monocotyledons, Orchidaceae was the most dominant family, with five species. The study area is dominated by native species, and only 9.93% of species were alien. The sanctuary hosts ten endangered plant species, including Taxus contorta and Lilium polyphyllum. The findings highlight the sanctuary as a reservoir of native and threatened plant diversity in the western Himalaya. The recorded baseline data serve as critical resources for biodiversity assessment, habitat management, and conservation strategy development. It is imperative to reinforce protective measures and support long-term ecological monitoring to safeguard this fragile ecosystem against emerging environmental challenges.

Mosquitoes are one of the most lethal animals in the world and transmit many dangerous human pathogens, causing millions of deaths each year. Aedes aegypti is generally known to be a vector of dengue, chikungunya and zika. Mosquito control is a major challenge nowadays when they became resistant against commonly available insecticides. To reduce this, it is important to look for alternative that are easily biodegradable. One such alternative could be bioactive products from phytochemicals by systematically exploring the global floral biodiversity. Therefore the present study was to evaluate the ovipositional deterrent activity of the ethanol, hexane leaf extracts of Plumeria obtusa against Aedes aegypti and also observe various types of sensilla located on the antennae, maxillary palp, tarsi and ovipositor of the Ae. aegypti using scanning electron microscope. The effect of ethanol and hexane leaf extracts of P. obtusa on oviposition of Ae. aegypti was determined under two sets of conditions (Choice and no choice oviposition assay). Among the total number of eggs laid 33.83% (ethanol), 38.15(hexane) was present in control medium when placed along with ovitraps with 0.1, 0.3, 0.7, 0.010 and 0.013% ethanol and hexane leaf extracts of P. obtusa in which appeared 27.88, 23.27, 11.79, 9.371 and 0.038 % (ethanol), 26.09, 18.14, 13.19, 4.357 and 0.042% (hexane) of eggs respectively. This was also indicated by ODI values (9.649, 18.48, 48.30, 82.86 and 99.77) (ethanol) and (18.76, 35.53, 48.59, 79.50 and 99.77) (hexane) (choice oviposition assay). Percent oviposition in 0.1, 0.3, 0.7, 0.010 and 0.013 % ethanol and hexane of leaf extracts of P. obtusa was 43.11, 28.77, 19.51, 3.875 and 0.090% (ethanol), 36.36, 26.21, 18.03, 8.888 and 0.181% (hexane) which were less compared to their control counterparts 56.88, 71.22, 80.48, 96.12 and 99.90 (ethanol), 63.63, 73.78 , 81.96 , 91.11 and 99.81 (hexane) respectively (no choice oviposition assay). The findings also revealed that both extracts (ethanol, hexane) showed promising ovipositional deterrent activity against adult Ae. aegypti.

Mother–offspring bonds in primates often last for life and shape the behavior of both mother and offspring. Therefore, the death of an infant may trigger an emotional response from its mother akin to human grief, which is characterized by active distress and passive depression. Our goal was to investigate whether the behavior of female bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) changed after the loss of their infants. In the Thenmala area, southern India, between 2020 and 2022, we observed 18 mothers in two groups who lost, in total, 19 infants and three juveniles aged < 18 months. We compared affiliative, aggressive, and stress-related behavior of females before and after the death of their infants. We also examined individual variation in responses to infant loss. After the death of their infants, females withdrew socially, stayed on the periphery of the group, and had fewer companions. Bereaved females were less involved in grooming and hugging and initiated aggressive behavior more frequently than before they lost their infants. Moreover, females who lost infants showed frequent stress-related behaviors, such as self-scratching and yawning compared with when their infants were alive. Our results suggest that female bonnet macaques react to deaths of their infants in a manner that is consistent with the interpretation of grief in humans and other primates.

The present investigation aimed to investigate the effects of dietary seed supplementation on broiler chicks' ability to grow and biochemical properties that are impacted by commercial feed density and seed supplementation of Lagerstroemia speciosa. The research was carried out at the Government Arts College in Coimbatore-18, Tamil Nadu, India's Animal House, Department of Zoology, and Postgraduate and Research Department. Secondary metabolites, including steroids, terpenoids, glycosides, and phenolic compounds, are the primary bioactive substances in L. speciosa seeds, including phytochemical compounds and essential oils. The experimental groups consisted of dried seeds of L. speciosa and N. sativa added to the organic feed. The experimental animals show that the growth rate of the control group shows 41±3.21d initial weight and a 124±4bc final weight, while the growth rate of group II shows 135±4.04b. Body weight is a little higher than in the control group. Commercial feed is drastic in weight gain, and it shows 489±10.44a in group III. The experimental groups IV and V are active and healthier than the other groups, but the weight is poor in group IV 78±9.29d and 105±7.62bcd are in group V. The N. sativa seeds consist of thymoquinone, a bio-compound to reduce the body weight 78±9.29d in Group IV. Table 5 shows the haematological parameters of chicks in each group. The control group has the highest concentration of urea (10.7±0.55a), while group IV has the lowest concentration. The amount of uric acid is lowest in group IV and largest in group V. Cholesterol levels are highest in group II (green leafy vegetables) and lowest in group IV. Triglyceride levels are highest in Group V, while they are lowest in the control group. Group V has the least total protein, whereas the control group has the most. The control group has the highest albumin level, while group II has the lowest level.

Microcystis was major toxin-producing cyanobacterial species, may highly found in eutrophication water bodies. The cyanobacterial toxins are increase the aquatic stress, and may leads to nutrients load in aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, Microcystis flos-aquae, and Microcystis wesenbergi was recorded for the first in the valankulam lake, at Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India. In addition, some hydrographical characteristics viz., Water Temperature, pH , Salinity, DO, TDS, EC, Phosphate, Total alkalinity, and Nitrate was also analysed during the study period from September-2021 to May-2022.

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Aim: Aedes aegypti is the principal vector of Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika. The burden of these diseases is typically highest in tropical and subtropical areas, affecting the most impoverished populations. This laboratory study accessed the larvicidal and pupicidal activities of ethanol, methanol, acetone leaf extracts of Merremia dissecta and Peltrophorum pterocarpum against the Ae. aegypti.&#x0D; Study Design: Conventional bioassay.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Department of Zoology, Government Arts College, Coimbatore – 641018, Tamil Nadu, India, between July 2021 July 2022.&#x0D; Methodology: Larvae and pupae were exposed to various concentrations of plant leaf extracts for 24 hrs. at the laboratory. The probit analyses were used to analyze the data.&#x0D; Results: Results revealed that the plant extracts recorded the highest larval mortality at 0.421% and 0.634% ethanol, acetone leaf extracts of M. dissecta; 0.713%. and 0.621% methanol and ethanol leaf extract of P. pterocarpum against fourth instar of Ae. aegypti after 24 hrs.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results suggest that this plant extracts can be used as an good larvicidal and pupicide against the dengue and zika virus vector Ae. aegypti.

The dengue vector, <em>Aedes aegypti </em>(L.) is one of the world's deadliest species and it spreads diseases like Zika, chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever. In this present investigation, we attempt to evaluate the larvicidal toxicity of different solvent extracts and essential oil of Karunochi, <em>Vitex negundo</em> (L.) on third instar larvae of the dengue vector, <em>A. aegypti</em>. The crude extracts were prepared by using soxhlet apparatus and rotary vacuum evaporator technique. The highest mortality was observed in essential oil and ethanolic extract followed by hexane and acetone extracts, the lethal concentrations LC₅₀ (LC₉₀) values were obtained from noticed, for Vn-EO- 218.46 (517.10), Vn-EE 268.37 (592.56), Vn-HE 309.59 (667.33), and Vn-AE 327.88 (748.47), respectively and nil mortality observed in the control treatment. Karunochi, <em>V. negundo</em> essential oil, and ethanolic extract (Vn-EE) were more efficient against <em>A. aegypti </em>than crude extracts of Vn-AE (acetone) and Vn-HE (hexane). Therefore, from our studies the formulations are promising for a low-cost larvicide without isolating an active ingredient, EO’s were tested. The goal of this study is to promote the use of plant-based larvicides in public health programmes.