Identifying Manta Ray Species and Individuals

In a recent collaboration with the Save our Seas Foundation (Seychelles), I teamed up with marine biologists to convert their studies into comics. This comic on identifying Manta Ray species and individuals takes notes from marine biologist Lauren Peel (who the Manta is flashing in the comic). Thanks to the SOSF for giving me a chance to draw about these magical creatures, who I had the pleasure of swimming with on a trip to the Komodo Islands in Indonesia!

A Giant Woodspider on a Tinder Date

A Giant Woodspider goes on a Tinder date. The comic appears in my column with Sunday Mid-day.

The Wildlife Map of the Greater Bay Area

(Click on the image for a larger view)

The Pearl River Delta in Guangdong, China, is the most densely populated region in the world. Despite this, the river and adjoining areas host a rich diversity of wildlife. From creatures that have made big cities their homes, like the Crested Myna and the Red-billed Blue Magpie, to megafauna that still manages to eke a secretive life, such as the Chinese Serow, the bay shelters more wildlife than its residents can possibly imagine. As the Pearl River drains into the South China Sea, the distribution of biodiversity too takes an interesting course. Hard and soft corals pop up wherever opportunity resents itself in the form of clear waters, while keystone species like the Chinese White Dolphin and the Chinese Bahaba can still be found pulling themselves through in the severely polluted mouth of the Pearl River. Needless to mention, the region faces tremendous conservation pressures, which include habitat loss, water pollution, the world's most rapid rate of urbanization and development.

As part of my field research for the project, I spent a week in China in August last year, visiting some of the key places denoted in the map, and traversing the length of the river. The illustration and its various elements are being used by WWF China and WWF Hong Kong in various awareness material and merchandise. Thanks once again to WWF for commissioning the project!

Greenland Shark 410 Year Challenge

A Greenland Shark, the longest living vertebrate, takes the 410 year challenge!

Tuna and Shearwater Symbiosis

In a recent collaboration with marine biologists working with the Save Our Seas Foundation in The Seychelles, I converted some of their scientific studies into comics, for the Save Our Seas Magazine. Here's a comic that speaks about the friendship between Tuna and seabirds like the Wedge-tailed Shearwater, and how fisheries affect this fragile relationship (based on scientist Danielle van den Heever's research). Copyrights: Save our Seas Foundation.

George the Hawaiian Tree Snail

George, a Hawaiian tree snail, the last member of the species Achatinella apexfulva, died in captivity last week. Comic from my column with Sunday Mid-day.

Hiking in the Western Ghats

Hiking elsewhere vs hiking in the Western Ghats. The comic appears in my column with The Hindu BLink (first published in RoundGlass).

Wildlife of Seychelles

In an exciting assignment commissioned by the Save our Seas Foundation working in The Seychelles, I created a habitat illustration of St. Joseph Atoll and D'Arros Island. I got to draw and learn about many creatures I had never heard of before, and the illustration was among my work detailed work on marine fauna. Click on the illustrations for a larger view.

Copyrights to all images here belong to the Save our Seas Foundation. While the habitat illustration is to be published in the Save our Seas Magazine and posters, each of the illustrated elements will be used in merchandise.

Apex Predators of the Sea

A comic on plastic pollution done for the Save our Seas Foundation, Seychelles.

Highways versus Stripes

As the government sanctions more and more development threatening the connectivity of forests, navigating territories without coming in conflict with people becomes a challenge for tigers. The comic appears in my column with Sunday Mid-day.

Some talents of the Draco I wish I had

Meet the Draco, a genus of gliding lizards from South and South-east Asia. Dracos are not only known for their gliding and camouflage, but can also mimic falling leaves in colour and movement! The comic appears in my column with Saevus magazine this month (first published in Roundglass).

Sharks of D'Arros

Blacktip Reef Sharks and Sicklefin Lemon Sharks are two common sharks found in The Seychelles. The comic is a part of a project with Save our Seas Foundation, in which I worked in conjunction with marine biologists to convert their studies into comics. This comic takes notes from Shark researcher Ornella Weideli's studies.

Stingrays of St Joseph Atoll

In a recent collaboration with marine biologists working with the Save Our Seas Foundation in The Seychelles, I converted some of their scientific studies into comics, for the Save Our Seas Magazine. Here's a comic that speaks about the different kinds of stingrays that occur on St. Joseph Atoll, the subjects of marine biologist Chantel Elston's research.