De-horning Rhinos

The Assam government has proposed de-horning of the Indian One-horned Rhino in a bid to save its state animal from poaching. The proposal has met with a lot of flak from conservationists as there is no logical evidence to suggest that this will actually stop poachers from killing rhinos. It would be a pity if a beast as majestic and mighty as the rhino has to part with its characteristic asset because of attribution of false properties to it, stemming from the utter lack of human common sense.

Birds and Oil Spills

In the wake of the recent oil spill that hit Galveston Bay in North America. Oil spills have deplorable effects on waterbirds and waders, rendering the waterproofing properties of the feathers useless and exposing the skin to extreme temperatures. The affected birds instinctively try to preen the oil off their bodies, resulting in ingestion and subsequent damage to internal organs. 

Although the recent spill is fortunately smaller in magnitude compared to other oil spills that have occurred in the region before, several casualties have been reported and several more expected, both avian and otherwise.

Rainwater Harvesting- World Water Day

Woodpeckers and rainwater harvesting! Woodpeckers locate their nests at angles such that the nest faces away from the direction of the rain and is hence naturally water-proofed. But if one does make up his mind to harvest rainwater, it'd be as easy as this for him!

Catch this cartoon in The Hindu's BL-ink today. Happy World Water Day!

Sparrows of India- caricatures

World Sparrow Day is being celebrated on 20th March this year. Here's a compilation of caricatures of sparrow species from India to mark the occasion-

                                                                      House Sparrow

Our commonest species, and also one of the most widespread birds in the world, House Sparrows have been declining in numbers in recent times because of several factors such as loss of nesting sites, modern architecture, a reduction in feeding opportunities and the effects of electromagnetic radiation. This has prompted several conservation efforts and events such as Sparrow Day.

Sind Sparrow

The Sind Sparrow is a similar looking passerine that breeds in and around the Indus Valley. The extensive grey on both the crown and the nape of the male separates it from the male House Sparrow.

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow differs from other sparrows described here in having no plumage differences between the sexes. The rich chestnut nape and crown and the black patch on the neck separate it from the other species. It is an inhabitant of the Himalayan foothills.

Spanish Sparrow

Closely related to the House Sparrow, the Spanish Sparrow is common in the Mediterranean region where it hybridizes with the former, and in Central and South-west Asia. The male is dark and boldly streaked, and the female is separated from her counterparts by the streaks on her breast.   

Russet Sparrow

The Russet Sparrow is the Himalayan equivalent of the House Sparrow. It has a rich rufous and yellow plumage and breeds along terrace cultivations in the Himalayan foothills.

Chestnut-shouldered Petronia

Formerly known as the Yellow-throated Sparrow or Salim Ali's Sparrow, this bird is famous for triggering Dr. Salim Ali's interest in the world of birds and inspiring his switch from shooting to studying birds. It is a common species around villages of peninsular India and prefers scrubs and forest fringes, where large flocks can be seen feeding on fruits and flowering trees.

The compilation or even individual posters can be ordered by mailing me at rohanchakcartoonist@gmail.com. Also, there's a whole range of sparrow merchandise as listed below-

A2 Posters (loose)- Rs. 1200 each
Mounted Posters (A3- Individual species and compilation)- Rs. 2000

Loose Posters (A3- Individual species and compilation)- Rs. 500 for the first copy and Rs. 200 for the second copy onwards

Fridge Magnets (3" x 4", Printed in sets of 4)- Any 4 sparrows for Rs. 1200

Coasters (3.5" x 3.5", Printed in sets of 6)- All 6 sparrows for Rs. 800

Coffee Mug (Sparrows of India)- Rs. 850
T-shirts (S/ML/XL unisex, roundneck, cotton)- Rs. 1000 each

(Please note that I am shipping only within India at the moment)

For orders outside of India, visit my Redbubble Store.

Olive Ridley Turtle caricature

I've just returned from an enriching trip to Velas, a coastal village in the Konkan coast of Western India famous for hosting one of the few nesting sites of the Olive Ridley Turtle. Classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, Olive Ridleys are one of the more commonly seen species of sea turtles, and like all their kin, face a number of conservation threats such as entrapment in fishing nets, collisions with boats, destruction of nesting sites, poaching, egg-lifting and over-fishing. I had the pleasure of saying hello to four Olive Ridley hatchlings!

The poster can be ordered by e-mailing me at rohanchakcartoonist@gmail.com. Stay tuned for cartoons and comics on sea turtles and Olive Ridleys!

Indonesian Fatwa against Wildlife Crime

The Indonesian Council of Ulama recently issued an edict against poaching and trade of endangered wildlife in the country, making it the first such religious edict. This comes at a time when wildlife trafficking has reached unprecedented levels all over South-East Asia.

Women's day with Elephants!

I feel that elephants are creatures of such impeccable demeanour BECAUSE they grow up in the company of wise women! Happy Women's Day!