Husma magazine

ENVIRONMENT - NATURE - CONSERVATION - SCIENCE

05
22

“Nature is painting for us, day after day,
pictures of infinite beauty.”

JOHN RUSKIN

HUSMA'21

CONTENTS

06 JAGUARS: THE ENVIRONMENT - NATURE - CONSERVATION - SCIENCE
INDOMITABLE BIG
CATS IN THE WORLD 03 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

04 24 04 SOIL; THE SKIN OF EARTH 02

RAISE AWARENESS WHALE SHARKS 06 JAGUARS: THE INDOMITABLE BIG MAY 2022| HUSMA'21
ABOUT THE FEEDING ON
PLANKTON CATS IN THE WORLD
IMPORTANCE OF
HEALTHY SOIL 08 THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING

30 EVERY PHOTO HAS A 10 FISHERIES: LIVES WHO LIVE
STORY!
WITH FISH
By Sewwandi Alwis
12 SNOW LEOPARD; BIG CAT IN THE

SNOWY MOUNTAINS

14 CUT YOUR FOOTPRINT,

FILL YOUR POCKETS, AND
BREATHE FREELY!!!

17 WORLD RIVERS DAY; ARTERIES

OF PLANET EARTH

20 GORILLAS; THE GENTLE GIANTS

22 RED PANDA; THE REAL FIREFOX

24 WHALE SHARK; A WHALE-LIKE

SHARK OR A SHARK-LIKE
WHALE?

26 ELEPHANTS IN THE AFRICAN

SAVANNA; WHAT’S IT LIKE TO
BE?

28 ELEPHANT; SAVING THE

GREATEST MASTERPIECE ON
LAND

HUSMA'21 0235

LEO PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05

As the most advanced species living on this planet Earth we have a duty on our hands to make our maximum efforts
towards the well-being of the planet. Leo Club of University of Colombo Faculty of Science initiates numerous projects
on behalf of the protection and conservation of Mother Nature. I am really proud to be a part of that great work. And I
am more than proud about my members who are working hard on such projects.

Husma was not only a project that addressed nature but also its objectives continued to help A/L biology students to
cope up with a theory lesson that was roughly touched in schools and tuition classes. With an invaluable support from
the BEEZ society we hope we reached our targets to the greatest percentages. This magazine which is being published
as the 2nd phase of our project Husma will cover up the rest of an awareness program on environmental conservation.
More than just completing another project from the club, our main hope is that may this wonderful piece of work bring
about a motivation in all its readers to do whatever they can on behalf of the environment.

We are not the owners of this marvellous nature. We have just borrowed it from the previous generations and it's our
duty to hand it over to the future generations without destroying a single inch of it.

Let’s make it happen. Gain knowledge! Share it with others! Put them in action!

Thank you

LEO DINUSHKA ARIYARATHNE
PRESIDENT
LEO CLUB OF UNIVERSITY OF
COLOMBO FACULTY OF SCIENCE

BEEZ PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

It is a pleasure to provide a message to the E-Magazine published by the Leo Club of the Faculty of Science, University
of Colombo along with BEEZ, as the second phase of the Project “Husma”. The bond between the man and the nature is
invaluable and unbreakable. Since the beginning of human civilization on the earth, man always used to depend on
nature for fulfilling each and every need. With the progress gained by humans with the technology and science
basically, the urge to seek more comforts and to attain a higher living standard increased. As a result, the impact made
by humans on the environment became significant and at some point, such activities started imposing a negative
influence on the environment which in turn affected humans as well as the other living species on the earth.
Conservation of Nature was a topic that came into discussion with these incidents and at the present, it has become a
“Must” to find pathways for the recovery of damages caused to the nature by humans.
Amidst such occurrences, I really appreciate the effort taken by the Leo Club of the Faculty of Science, University of
Colombo to arrange this series of programs under the project “Husma” to provide environmental education to the
general public which is a timely need and as BEEZ, we are privileged to join hands in this project during both phases.
Here, I would also like remind the assistance given by our academic staff members of the Department of Zoology and
Environment Sciences of University of Colombo as the resource persons in the Advanced Level Seminar Series of the
Phase 1of this project. In the second phase, we are delighted to collaborate again by providing the articles published in
the official blog of BEEZ, the “Buzz” where the knowledge on environmental conservation would reach to a wider
audience. Here, I would like to thankfully mention the support given by the Executive Committee and the Sub-
Committees of BEEZ in organizing all these projects as well as maintaining an extraordinary Blog. Most importantly,
my special gratitude goes to all the blog writers of BEEZ, from all the four academic years of the Faculty of Science, for
their massive contribution in using the power of words to spread awareness on what has happened to the nature and
how the damages can be remedied.
Finally, I hope the important message given by this E-Magazine on Environmental Conservation would be helpful in
conserving the Mother Nature for the benefit of the future generations yet to come!
Thank you!

VIHANGA AMARAKOON
PRESIDENT (2021/22)
BASE FOR ENTHUSIASTS IN
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AND ZOOLOGY (BEEZ)
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY AND
ENVIRONMENT SCIENCES
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO

HUSMA'21

“A SEED CANNOT GROW IN STONE. IT REQUIRES SOIL; THE SKIN
FERTILE SOIL & WATER. COMPASSION IS THE SOIL OF EARTH
WHERE LIFE GROWS.”
By Sanduni Gunaratne
AMIT RAY
Soil can be categorized into sand, clay, silt, peat, chalk, and loam types based on the
– WALKING THE PATH OF COMPASSION dominating size of the particles within soil.

What is Soil? Sandy Soil – Sandy soil is a type of soil that has a high proportion of sand and little clay
(clay weighs more than sand) and is warm in spring and dry in summer. The addition of
Soil is made up of minerals, dead and live organic matter can help give plants a boost of nutrients by improving the nutrient and
creatures, air, and water, in that order. It is water holding capacity.
one of our planet’s most dynamic and Clay Soil – Clay soils take longer to warm up in summer and dry out and crack in the
essential natural resources because these winter, making them difficult to grow in spring and summer.
four elements react in amazing ways. Soil, in Silt Soil – Clay soils take longer to warm up in summer and dry out and crack in the winter,
the eyes of a soil scientist, is the earth’s making them difficult to grow in spring and summer.
surface mineral and/or organic layer that has Peat Soil – Peat soil – a type of soil that is rich in organic matter and retains a large
undergone physical, biological, and chemical amount of moisture – is one of the most important nutrients for plants to thrive in.
weathering. Chalk Soil – Chalky soil is alkaline soil that can’t be acidified and will not support the
growth of plants that require more acidic soil for growth. Chalk soil can be either light or
Natural resources such as soils are limited. heavy but always highly alkaline due to the calcium carbonate (lime) within its structure.
Because they are constantly forming, they Loam Soil – Loam soil is a mixture of sand, silt, and clay that are combined to avoid the
are seen as renewable. Although this is true, negative effects of each type. These soils are fertile, easy to work with and provide good
they form at a glacial pace. It can take drainage. Depending on their predominant composition they can be either sandy or clay
several hundred years or more for one inch loam.
of topsoil to decompose.
0245
How it Forms?
Uses SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
Soil is formed continuously, but slowly when
rocks break down due to weathering. Soil-grown plants can be utilized for food, clothing, recreation, aesthetics, building materials,
Physical weathering is the breakdown of and medicine, among other things. Plants require soil for their survival. The construction
rocks because of mechanical activity; process relies heavily on the soil. When producing pottery, clay soil is used. Sewage treatment
chemical weathering is the breakdown of plants make use of soil. Soils can be used to make medicine. There are organisms called
rocks because of chemical action, and microbes that are created in the soil. These microbes are harmful to bacteria; therefore, soils
biological weathering is the breakdown of are used to make antibiotics. Skin ointments are also made from soil. Microbes are tiny
rocks because of biological action. Changes organisms not visible to the naked eye. Everyday cosmetic products women use is made from
in temperature, abrasion, and frost can all soil, examples are foundation, blush, and facial masks.
cause rocks to break down.

Chemical weathering refers to the
deterioration of rocks caused by a change
in their chemical composition. When the
minerals in rocks react with water, air, or
other chemicals, this can happen.

The degradation of rocks by living
organisms is known as biological
weathering. Plant roots can grow into
fractures in the rock, causing it to split.
Burrowing animals let water and air get into
the rock, and plant roots can grow into
crevices in the rock, causing it to break.

Soil formation is further aided by the
accumulation of material caused by the
action of water, wind, and gravity. These
procedures can take tens of thousands of
years to complete.

Types of Soil

Continue reading >

HUSMA'21

World Soil Day

Every year on December 5th, World Soil Day (WSD) is commemorated to raise awareness about the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for
the long-term management of soil resources. In 2002, the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) proposed a global day to honor soil. FAO has
supported the formal foundation of WSD as a global awareness-raising platform under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the
scope of the Global Soil Partnership.
In June 2013, the FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day and recommended that it be officially adopted by the United Nations
General Assembly during the 68th session. The United Nations General Assembly responded in December 2013 by establishing the first official
World Soil Day on December 5, 2014. The 5th of December was chosen for WSD since it is H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s formal birthday, and he
is the one who officially sanctioned it.

World Soil Day 2021

EThe campaign “Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity” for World Soil Day 2021 aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining
healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, combating soil salinization, raising soil
awareness, and encouraging societies to improve soil health.

References: 025

Mishra, G. (2018, August 3). Formation of Different Types of Soil Based on Weathering Conditions. The Constructor. SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
https://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/soil-formation-types-weathering/1227/
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2021). World Soil Day, 5 December | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. www.fao.org.
https://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/en/
Soil Science Society of America. (2021). Soil Basics | Soil Science Society of America. SSSA. https://www.soils.org/about-soils/basics/?
acsSsoAuthCheck=1
United Nations. (2021). World Soil Day. https://www.un.org/en/observances/world-soil-day

Image Courtesy:

https://bit.ly/3Fdqq9a
https://bit.ly/3GkDafn
https://bit.ly/3njuHSi
https://bit.ly/3HU1hSE
'Protect the soil' event to take place (montsame.mn)

HUSMA'21

“I SEE THE HUNGER IN YOUR EYES, I KNOW YOU NEED JAGUARS: THE
YOUR PREY, AND, THOUGH I AM TAKEN BY SURPRISE, I INDOMITABLE
WON’T STAND IN YOUR WAY… LIKE YOU, EACH BIG CATS IN THE
HUNGERED HEART DECIDES JUST HOW TO STAY WORLD By F. B. Ishara Nimeshi
ALIVE…”

The jaguar (Panthera onca) is a carnivorous mammal
and is considered the largest feline species native to
the Americas and the third-largest in the world,
surpassed in size only by the lion and the tiger. Its
size varies; the length from the nose to the base of
the tail varies from five to six feet and the weights of
the jaguars are recorded between 100 to 250 pounds
in the world. Known for immense power and agility,
the name ‘Jaguar’ derives from the indigenous
American word ‘Yaguar” which means ‘who kills with
one leap’.

Rosetted Big Cats,
Obscure and Elusive

Due to a number of similar characteristics, jaguars
are commonly mistaken for leopards, especially the
characteristic spotted pattern on their fur. Can you
tell the difference? The jaguar is stockier and
muscular than the leopard and its rosette pattern of
spots is larger and can observe a few spots inside a
few of the rosettes on its flank as the identifying mark
of a jaguar. Though this distinctive spotted coat of
jaguars provides extremely effective camouflage,
jaguars have been hunted for years due to the same
characteristic, their astounding fur coat.
The jaguars happen to have the most powerful jaws
of any of the big cats. They have powerful canines
strong enough to bite through the thick, armor-like
scales protecting the reptiles like crocodilians. And in
some parts of the Amazon rainforest, jaguars prey on
large river turtles biting through their thick shells. Just
like other felines, their tongue has sharp-pointed
bumps called papillae which are effective in scraping
meat off bones.

The base colors of jaguars are pale or sandy, though some jaguars are brown or black. These are melanistic jaguars known as black panthers. Talking
about their spotty coat, the tan-colored fur is dotted with darker rose-like patterns which are known as rosetting. The rosetting is unique to each
individual just as fingertips are unique to individual humans.

0265

Body appearance of a Jaguar. A hunting Jaguar. SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05

Jaguars have an excellent nocturnal vision like all cats have, which is improved by the tapetum (light-reflecting layer of cells at the back of the eye that
enhances light). Jaguars are excellent swimmers and unlike other cats, they readily take to the water. They live near rivers and wetlands and during
hunting jaguars cross the river several times or swim upstream or down for hundreds of yards. When hunting, jaguars move silently and when they
do not hunt, they become loud and noisy.

Continue reading >

HUSMA'21

Distribution and Habitat: Jaguars at Rest

Jaguars inhabit the Western Hemisphere, primarily in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, including much of Amazonian Brazil. As
of current times, they are confined to remote pockets of rainforests particularly in the Amazon rainforest.

Historical and current Jaguar range. Predicted spatial variation of
Jaguar population densities across

North and South America.

Jaguars tend to prefer riverine forests and as their hunting technique is skewed to stalk-and-ambush rather than chasing down the prey, the ideal
habitat type is thick dense, moist forests. Those habitats support concealed lookouts in order to ambush prey. They are solitary and naturally
inclined to settle in the close proximity of water and therefore can be found near permanent swamplands or seasonally flooded forests. Being a
keystone species, jaguars are crucial to stabilizing ecosystems and as they are apex predators, they regulate prey populations.

An Alarm Call on Declining of Jaguars

Jaguars encounter a number of menaces, namely habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, poaching, human-wildlife conflict situations. Due to habitat
fragmentation, the process by which a large expanse of habitat gets divided into smaller patches of habitats, the jaguars are unable to travel far to
look for mates and this leads to inbreeding and local extinctions. Poachers hunt down jaguars for pelts and teeth and ranchers kill jaguars in order
to safeguard their farming lands.
Jaguars are classified as near-threatened (NT) species by IUCN and effects have been taken to conserve the declining jaguar population by various
personnel responsible. Jaguars are listed on CITES and therefore, the trading of jaguars or their body parts is strictly prohibited. Hunting jaguars is
banned in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Panama, and several other countries as well.

International Day of Jaguars 0275

Observed annually on November 29, International Jaguar Day depicts the high-priority necessity to conserve these keystone species in ecosystems. SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
This Day educates and raises awareness on conserving jaguar corridors and their habitats.

“It takes time for jaguars to recover, and our new results demonstrate that persistence pays off.”
Joe Walston – The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Executive Vice President for Global Conservation
All in all, jaguars are umbrella species with a decreasing population state since the early 1900s. calling attention to conserving these staggeringly
beautiful rosette-coated beasts in the wild and strengthening law enforcement to protect them and their habitats is crucial if only we want them to
stick around in the course of time.

References: Jaguar. (n.d.). Animals. Retrieved January 6, 2022, from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/jaguar
Jaguar Strategy 2020–2030. (n.d.). Estrategia_jaguar_2020_2030_wwf. Pdf. Retrieved January 6, 2022, from
https://wwflac.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/estrategia_jaguar_2020_2030_wwf.pdf
Jędrzejewski, W., Robinson, H. S., Abarca, M., Zeller, K. A., Velasquez, G., Paemelaere, E. A. D., Goldberg, J. F.,
Payan, E., Hoogesteijn, R., Boede, E. O., Schmidt, K., Lampo, M., Viloria, N. L., Carreño, R., Robinson, N.,
Lukacs, P. M., Nowak, J. J., Salom-Pérez, R., Castañeda, F., . . . Quigley, H. (2018). Estimating large carnivore
populations at global scale based on spatial predictions of density and distribution – Application to the
jaguar (Panthera onca). PLOS ONE, 13(3), e0194719. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194719

HUSMA'21

THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING
By Sayagi Asogan

Close your eyes and imagine steep slopes and unique landscapes with tall, dense forests or green grasslands stretched out for miles. Rich wildlife
with an unmatched beauty that makes you catch your breath every time you blink your eyes. Ancient history, significant heritage in every rock on the
ground. Every bend on the winding roads with a story of its own. People with warm smiles from diverse cultures and local traditions. The sound of
rushing water in the background from a waterfall or a river nearby. Every inspiration, filling your lungs with clean and fresh air untouched by the
smoke, dust, and pollution that plagues the cities. And finally, the feeling of complete and utmost tranquility and peace where time stands still and all
your problems fade away.

Did you hear that? The mountains are calling…

Why Celebrate Mountains?

From the ice-capped crests of the majestic Himalayas to the dry and sandy Desert Mountains in Nevada, the tropical peaks of Puncak Jayathe in
Indonesia to the volcanic beauty of Mount Fuji, mountains are some of the most captivating landscapes of the world, covering almost 24 percent of
the earth’s land surface and providing a home to approximately 15 percent of the world’s population. They constitute half of the world’s biodiversity
hotspots due to their dramatic shifts in altitude, habitat, weather, vegetation, and wildlife. Mountains also provide freshwater to half of the total
population on earth every day and provide livelihood and income for the communities that live there through agriculture and tourism.

Importance of Mountains. However, like all other ecosystems, these spectacular landscapes are also severely
affected by climate change and overexploitation. The melting of ice glaciers on the
peaks of mountains due to global warming disturbs the entire supply of water
downstream. Global warming also affects the lives of the mountain people, who already
are some of the world’s poorest people, with food shortage and poverty. Activities like
bad agricultural practices, commercial mining, felling of trees, poaching, and pollution
also have major impacts on the mountain ecosystem and biodiversity.

Day of Mountains… a Holiday?

In order to highlight the importance of mountains to life and call attention to the
opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build alliances that will
bring positive change to mountain peoples and places around the world, The United
Nations designated the 11th of December as the “International Mountain Day”, and it
has been celebrated every year since 2003.
This day has been celebrated as one where people are inspired to understand and
appreciate these jewels of nature, discuss their fragility, devise ways to protect the
ecosystem along with its fauna and flora, and provoke governments and organizations
to launch policies and guidelines that would help save the mountains. The people of
Japan celebrate Mountain Day also known as ‘Yama no hi’ on the 11th of August. This
holiday was established as a public holiday after the Japanese Alpine Club and other
groups argued that Japan, where Shinto beliefs in nature have shaped the culture,
should celebrate its peaks and mountain.

Symbol of International Mountain Day

The logo of International Mountain Day is a combination of three equilateral triangles that represent mountains with a stripe under them. The first
triangle contains a blue rhombus shape at the top representing ice or snow at the top of mountains. The second triangle consists of an orange circle
inside it depicting the resources that a mined from the inside of mountains, and the final triangle contains a smaller green triangle that represents
the crops that grow on mountains.

0285

International Mountain Day SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
Logo.

Continue reading >

HUSMA'21

International Mountain Day 2021: Theme

Each year the United Nations provides a particular theme for International Mountain Day. Freshwater, peace, climate change, and biodiversity are
some examples of the themes focused on in previous years. This year, the theme is Sustainable Mountain Tourism. Mountains are one of the most
popular tourist attractions on the earth, second only to the coastal beaches. These constitute 20 percent of Global Tourism. A tour to the
mountains encompasses several unique experiences like living in tents or camping vehicles, nature walks, trekking, rock climbing, and mountain
biking when the weather is dry; cross country, downhill and glacier skiing, snowboarding or sledding in snowfall seasons; and water-based activities
like canoeing, rafting, and kayaking.
The mountains also promise unique cuisines and places with cultural and historical significance and thus millions of people visit the mountains to
spend their holidays, boosting the local economy and creating alternative livelihood options for the locals and thereby promoting poverty
alleviation and social inclusion. Tourism also has major impacts on the mountain ecosystems, communities, and economies that need to be
addressed and sorted out. Clearing of vegetation and soil erosion, removal of rare habitat, pollution, altering of critical landscapes, and wildlife
relocation are some of the environmental impacts of tourism.
Tourism also has socio-cultural impacts like trouble from the large amounts of visitors, and exposure to and adoption of foreign traditions and
lifestyles which threaten the unique culture, traditions, knowledge, and livelihoods of mountain people and communities. In addition, tourism also
produces economic impacts that harm the local populations as the working conditions can be poor, and revenue can easily leak out of local
economies to externally owned large companies. Also, tourism is one of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had
damaging effects on the livelihood of mountain communities that depend on tourism for their main income. The restrictions of the pandemic have
further increased the vulnerabilities of the mountain communities.

Theme of Mountain Day
2021.

This year on International Mountain Day, it is crucial that we work towards sustainably managing tourism in the mountains in order to prevent the
degradation of the fragile mountain ecosystems and bring awareness to the impact it has not only on the local environments but also on the
livelihoods of the people who live there. Let’s work together to manage the mountains better and channel it towards a more adaptable, green, and
inclusive future as the mountain’s call is not just a summon to enjoy and appreciate all it has to offer, it’s also a plea to protect and conserve for
future generations.

References: 0295

United Nations. (2021). International Mountain Day. https://www.un.org/en/observances/mountain-day SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
E. (2021, December 10). International Mountain Day 2021. International Event Day. https://internationaleventday.com/event/international-
mountain-day/
P. (2020, December 11). International Mountain Day: How are they threatened and what is at stake. India News Republic.
https://indianewsrepublic.com/international-mountain-day-how-are-they-threatened-and-what-is-at-stake/110875/
Information material | International Mountain Day | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2021). Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/international-mountain-day/information-material/en/
Shaw, T. (2020, January 1). Mountain Day in Japan in 2022. Office Holidays. https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/japan/mountain-day
World Tourism Organization (2018), Sustainable Mountain Tourism – Opportunities for Local Communities, Executive Summary, UNWTO,
Madrid, DOI: https://doi.org/10.18111/9789284420285

Image Courtesy: https://bit.ly/3eWuXC5
https://bit.ly/3qQ5DU1
https://bit.ly/3n11MCs
https://bit.ly/3t2ug2h

HUSMA'21

FISHERIES: IF YOU ARE A NON-
VEGETARIAN, I’M SURE YOU

LIVES WHO LIVE ENJOY SEAFOOD. SALMON,
FISH, OR SHRIMP CAN BE
YOUR FAVORITE FOOD. BUT
WITH FISH HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT
ABOUT THE PROCESS AND

By K. A. Kavindana Nirmani CONTRIBUTORS THAT TAKE
PLACE BEFORE YOUR

FAVORITE SEAFOOD

Aquaculture and ARRIVES ON YOUR PLATE?

Fishery

Aquaculture and fisheries (plural noun of term Small-scale Fisheries – Most often family owned and mainly depend on 1205
“fishery”) are terms in the same field but have labour intensive. Use relatively small vessels/boats, little capital, low fuel
different meanings. consumption and non-advanced equipment usage. may be commercial SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
Aquafarming, also known as aquaculture, is the or subsistence.
cultivation or farming of aquatic organisms that Artisanal Fisheries – Mostly the same as small-scale industries providing
involves the cultivation of freshwater or seawater local consumption or export, they frequently target the same resources
populations under controlled or semi-natural as well. Can include ways ranging from making short fishing trips close to
conditions and is comparable to commercial fishing, shore, hand collection on the beach, one person fishing on a canoe, to
or wild fish harvest. fishing by using trawlers and small vessels/seiners.
The fishery is defined as the science of producing fish Recreational (sport) Fisheries – Fishing for leisure and self-consumption
or other aquatic resources for the primary purpose or as a time pass.
of providing human food, as well as for other Commercial Fisheries – Fishery which sells the harvest in the market
purposes such as ornamental fish, recreational mainly for profit.
fishing, and other fish products such as salmon and Traditional Fisheries – The fishing industry was established by specialized
fish oil. It can be either an activity or an occupation, communities a long time ago, usually in accordance with traditional laws
an industry, or a place for catching or rearing fish and and regulations. It reflects cultural characteristics and attitudes and can
other living organisms from their natural or man- be strongly influenced by religious practices or social customs.
made habitats to be consumed as seafood. Fisheries Knowledge is transmitted from generation to generation through the
do harvest for values such as commercial, words of mouth. They are usually small-scale.
recreational, or self-consumption.
According to the definition of the United Nations Continue reading >
Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), a fishing
unit is a unit determined by an authority or other
body engaged in fish farming and/or harvesting.
Typically, the unit contains terms such as involvement
of people, species or type of fish, method of fishing,
area of water or seabed, class of boats, and purpose
of the activities.

Types of Fisheries

Types of fisheries can categorize into different levels.
According to the type of aquatic habitat/place that
uses to harvesting/fishing can differ as,

Freshwater Fisheries – Fisheries which take place
in freshwater such as rivers, lakes, and streams.
Depending on salinity levels and water
temperature, this environment is different from
marine conditions.
Coastal Fisheries – Fisheries which take place in
coastal areas around the country. The major
amount of local fish consumption in developing
countries supply by the coastal fishing.
High Seas Fisheries – The high seas lie beyond
national jurisdiction and aquatic organisms there
are caught by industrial fleets and are mainly
Referral for high-end markets.
Brackish Water Fisheries – Brackish water means
the mixture of salt and fresh water. Mainly fishery
in lagoons include to this type.
According to the expansion of industry, using
method and equipment as well as purpose, capture
fisheries can categorize into various types.
Industrial fisheries – Fishery which is maintained
by investing high capital, using large vessels and
advanced techniques with fish finding
navigational equipment. Such a fishing industry
has a high production capacity and catch per unit
is generally high.

HUSMA'21

Importance of Fisheries

Most of the developing countries and islands fisheries, Challenges in Fishery
contribute to covering a major amount of daily protein
consumption in the community. Mainly industrial and A lack of proper weather forecast makes it difficult to do fishing in adverse
small-scale fisheries have been provided jobs for 41 weather conditions such as high seas such as tsunamis and hurricane.
million people around the world. fish consumptions take a A decrease in harvest due to overfishing, illegal fishing, oil leaks from ships.
major place among the people due to the easy availability, Adverse consequence of global warming, and declining fish stocks in the
low prices rather than other protein meals and provides country due to fishermen in other countries crossing the borders, are the
many of the nutrients required for a healthy life. problems that are faced in the fishing industry.
Compared to other food sectors, minimization of losses
and ease of harvesting are the main reasons for people to World Fisheries Day
turn to fisheries. Exportation of fish, ornamental fish, and
fishery commodity productions, take a leading position in International Fisheries Day is celebrated annually on November 21st by the
the economy of developing countries.. fishing community to focus on the sustainability of the fishing industry, the
balance of the ecosystem, and the surrounding environment.
Fisheries in Sri Lanka A forum for the World Fisheries Federation was established in 1997 and
became known as the WFF (World Fisheries Forum), and it led to the adoption
As an island In the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka which is of sustainable measures to mark high development practices and policy
surrounded by warm and nutrient-filled coastal waters guidelines for making the fishing industry a viable trading and commercial
and rivers, streams, and lakes provides great opportunities medium.
for inland as well as coastal and deep-sea fisheries. As the beginning of a new pattern in 1997, the first World Fisheries Day was
Marine fish production contributes nearly 90% of the total celebrated on November 21st, 2015. On the same day, it was the grand
fish catch, of which the coastal fish catch is 60%. The rest opening of the International Fisherman’s organization was held in New Delhi.
is from deep-sea fish catching. In 2020, the theme of the fisheries day focused on “Social Responsibility in the
Sri Lanka has 12 main fishing harbors which give access to Fisheries Value Chain”. The 2021 theme is still awaited and may hold the right
basins protected by breakwaters providing year-round blend of the fishing industry, nature, and environment, plus a greater focus
safe approach and navigation, anchoring, and berthing for on biodiversity.
mainly inboard engine vessels. .
The sector provides a livelihood for about 2 million people
while making a greater contribution towards the GDP of
the country. According to the Food Balance Sheet of the
Department of Census and Statistics, fish contribute about
65 percent of the population’s animal-based protein
intake.
The Ministry of fisheries collaborates with other
organizations to provide many services and promotions to
Improve the fisheries and the economic status of
fishermen. There is a lagoon development program,
Diyawara Piyasa fisheries housing scheme, a sanitary
program, and a loan program. According to the
department of fisheries and aquatic resources, they are
mainly focusing on promoting environmentally friendly
fishing methods. Accordingly, it is expected to provide
technical assistance to fishermen to upgrade their boats
and equipment so that they can switch to more
sustainable harvesting methods. Sri Lankan Navy plays a
leading role in protecting local fishermen and the country’s
maritime boundaries.

Issues in the Fishing References: 2115
Industry
What is Fisheries | IGI Global. (n.d.). IGI Global. https://www.igi- SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
The most harmful fishing practices affecting the global.com/dictionary/cgiar-virtual-library-bridging-gap/11188
underwater world are, UN Atlas of the Oceans: Subtopic. (n.d.). UN Atlas of the Oceans.
http://www.oceansatlas.org/subtopic/en/c/1303/
Overfishing – Fishing speed is faster than reproduction The importance of fisheries and aquaculture to development | WorldFish.
speed (2018, October 19). World Fish.
Bycatch – Accidental exposure of non-target species https://www.worldfishcenter.org/publication/importance-fisheries-and-
like coral, turtles, seabirds to extensive fishing aquaculture-development
mechanisms such as gillnets, and trawlers. [email protected] (2020, July 30). Fishing Industry in Sri Lanka.
Damage to the ocean floor by unsustainable fishing Watching Lanka. https://www.watchinglanka.com/fishing-industry-in-sri-
practices. lanka/
Illegal Fishing – Unauthorized fishing, off-season Open Farm. (n.d.). 5 Big Issues in the Fishing Industry and How You Can
fishing, failure to report capture information and use of Help. https://openfarmpet.com/blogs/news/5-big-issues-in-the-fishing-
illegal procedures and trapping methods. industry-and-how-you-can-help
Gupta, D. (2021, November 11). World Fisheries Day 2021: Know the
Theme, Date, History and Significance. KRISHI JAGAN.
https://krishijagran.com/animal-husbandry/world-fisheries-day-2021-
know-the-theme-date-history-and-significance/

HUSMA'21

Panthera uncia, well known as the “Snow Leopard”, is SNOW LEOPARD;
a rare member of the cat family (Felidae). At 4-5 feet BIG CAT IN THE
height, this mammal’s tail is up to 36 inches long and SNOWY
its weight is 60-120 pounds. Each and every body MOUNTAINS
part of this animal is made as an adaptation to the
harshest conditions that they live in. Their greyish- By K. A. Kavindana Nirmani
black spotted, creamy yellow or gray, thick hair acts
as a coat to insulate them from the cold. They are Snow Leopards’ Habitats
supported by strong, powerful legs that give them
the ability to leap as far as 50 feet. Their fur-covered
feet are wide and, therefore, help to distribute the
body weight throughout the snow. Longtails
maintain balance and cover sensitive body parts
from the icy cold.

They live in such harsh and remote environments. Snow leopards are found in
12 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Mongolia,
China, and Russia. Snow leopards prefer rugged terrain, the Rocky Mountains,
and valleys. They can mostly be found throughout the high, cold mountain
ranges such as the Himalayas, the southern Siberian mountains in Russia and
the Tibetan Plateau, and across a range that stretches from China to the
mountains in Central Asia. These types of habitats provide good coverage and
clear views to find prey and crawl on it.

Thick creamy hair with black spots.

Fur-covered foot. Global distribution map of Snow Leopards. 1225

Behaviors of Snow Threats SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
Leopard
Snow leopards are often killed by local farmers to retaliate against the
These big cats are shy and most of the time they predation of their domestic animals such as sheep, goats, and horses. Local
live reclusively. Males can be more commonly seen communities also hunt the Argali sheep, the main prey of the snow leopard, so
than females. During mating season, males and when their natural prey is difficult to find and due to a lack of meals, snow
females are frequently seen together, and a mother leopards are forced to kill livestock for survival. Their lives have been
with her young cubs is occasionally seen. Snow threatened by poaching due to the illegal trade in bones and body parts used
leopards cannot roar like loins due to the in traditional Chinese medicine.
physiology of their throats and make a sound called The snow leopard’s habitat range is declining day by day due to human
“chuff” instead. They also leave marks on the settlement and increased use of grazing space. Global warming and climate
landscape with their urine, as other cats do. change pose the greatest long-term threat to snow leopards. The Himalayas
They are not aggressive towards humans. According alone have lost about 30 percent of the snow leopards’ habitat due to the
to scientists, snow leopards show a “crepuscular effects of climate change.
activity pattern”, which means they are most active
at dawn and dusk. Snow leopards are skillful and As an aversive consequence of the above-
powerful predators and solitary creatures. They mentioned threats, the total estimated
prey on Argali sheep, Bharal blue sheep, Tibetan population of snow leopards has
woolly hares, marmots, domestic goats, pikas, ibex, decreased by up to 4,080-6,590. As a
and birds. Snow leopards are important predators result of that, the snow leopards are now
in the mountains, and their presence helps to in Vulnerable status on the IUCN Red List.
maintain the ecosystem’s balance.
Poaching of Snow Leopards.
Continue reading >

HUSMA'21

Conservation of Snow Leopards

Countries and organizations have recently begun efforts to save snow leopards. Protected areas have been established throughout their
lands, including sanctuaries in countries such as Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan. A snow leopard conservation center is being set up in
Uttarakhand. It will be the first snow leopard conservation center in the Uttarkashi forests of India.
WWF (World Wildlife Fund) works with local communities to monitor snow leopards and reduce the retaliatory killing of them through
innovative local insurance plans. They conduct snow leopard adoption programs as well as a project called “Third pole geo lab” which is an
interactive web-based tool and database for snow leopard conservation.
Countries have also been strengthening their rules and regulations against poaching and illegal trade, and conservation groups have been
working with herders to develop systems to keep snow leopards away from their livestock.

Cover page of snow leopard and Cover page of WWF Snow Leopard species
ecosystem management plan published by action plan.

the government of Nepal.

International Snow Leopard Day 2135

In an effort to protect this iconic species, the twelve Asian countries that are home to these animals declared October 23rd, to be SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
International Snow Leopard Day since 2014. The day was chosen as the first anniversary of the adoption of the landmark Bishkek
Declaration on the conservation of them, adopted on October 23rd, 2013, at the first Global Forum on the Conservation of this big cat in the
Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. The range countries (Afghanistan, Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, China, India, Nepal,
Pakistan, Russia) also resolved to celebrate 2015 as the International Year of the Snow Leopard.
Coinciding with Snow Leopard Day, range countries, along with WWF and many non-profit organizations, organized many survival projects,
workshops, and awareness programs. Snow leopards are a special part of our ecosystem. Protecting them against extinction is a responsibility
and duty not only of organizations but all of us in the world.

References:

National Geographic. (n.d.). Snow Leopards 101. Animals. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/snow-leopard
WWF. (n.d.). Snow Leopard | Species | WWF. World Wildlife Fund. https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/snow-leopard
WWF. (2016, September 8). Snow leopard. https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/wildlife/snow-leopards
Snow Leopard Trust. (2017, May 10). Behaviour.
https://snowleopard.org/snow-leopard-facts/behavior/
Trust, S. L. (2016, October 14). International Snow Leopard Day: Hope, and Concern for the Cat. Snow Leopard Trust.
https://snowleopard.org/international-snow-leopard-day-hope-and-concern-for-the-cat/

HUSMA'21

CUT YOUR FOOTPRINT,
FILL YOUR POCKETS, AND
BREATHE FREELY!!! By W.A. Piyumi Uthpala

Ruwanmalie

Let us do a test! You will have to answer the questions below with a simple yes or no, and you can assess yourself at the end of the questions
regarding your energy efficiency. Ready? Do you care about the current global problems such as global warming, air pollution, the energy
crisis, etc.? Have you ever actively contributed or at least had a strong desire to resolve these global issues? If not, are you someone who is
simply waiting for someone else to act on these issues?
Earth is our home. Therefore, resolving global problems is a collective mission that every one of us needs to contribute to. Every year on the
1st Wednesday of October, Energy Efficiency Day is celebrated with the goal of involving the community in this collective mission by
educating the community on one potential solution to several global problems.

Energy Efficiency as a Potential Solution

By definition, energy efficiency is the practice of utilizing less energy to perform the same task. In other words, energy efficiency is about
eliminating the wasting of energy. Efficient energy consumption is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to meet the rising demand for energy.
It is also a potential solution to air pollution. Furthermore, energy efficiency can also cause reductions in utility bills. In fact, since the
beginning of the Energy Efficiency Day in 2016, the message of the day has been as simple as “Cut carbon, Save money, Breathe easier” which
sums up the above-mentioned gains from efficient energy usage.
So, what exactly is energy efficiency? This is a question worth asking because the concept of energy efficiency is often confused with the
concept of energy conservation. “Energy Conservation” is a practice that reduces energy consumption. Even though the two concepts appear
to be similar, there are significant differences. Let us consider some examples to sort out the two concepts.
In your childhood, you probably might have been asked by your parents to switch off the lights whenever you leave the room. Is this an
example of efficient energy usage? No, it is not. Switching off lights when they are not in use is a practice to conserve energy. It is not about
energy efficiency because when the lights are operating, they still consume the same amount of electricity. Energy efficiency would address
an issue like this in a different manner, involving new technologies that require less energy. An energy-efficient 11-15 Watt LED bulb will
consume 75% less energy compared to a 50-60 Watt incandescent bulb that provides the same light output. Therefore, replacing traditional
energy-inefficient bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs that require less energy is an ideal example of an energy efficiency measure.
Let us consider an elevator for another example. If you want to conserve energy, you can use stairs instead of the elevator. However, for you
to be energy efficient, you can make a habit of using the elevator with more people at a time rather than using it alone.

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Energy efficiency is a high priority in the SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
sustainability hierarchy.

Continue reading >

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Environmental and Points to Ponder… 2155

Economical Benefits of Energy efficiency do not require SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
a change in your lifestyle
Energy Efficiency
Contrary to what the majority think, energy efficiency practices do not
Today, a significant proportion of electricity generation, require a high degree of sacrifice that compromises our comfort or
even in Sri Lanka, is attributed to thermal power plants quality of life. Energy efficiency is all about optimizing your daily
which burn fossil fuels like coal. Burning fossil fuel is the processes that involve energy.
major contributing factor to the emission of greenhouse
gases such as carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases (GHG) Energy efficient options are
are gases that are capable of absorbing infrared (IR) worth investing
radiation and thereby trap heat in the atmosphere. The
high accumulation of GHG causes the greenhouse effect, Usually, efficient alternative options come with high price tags.
which eventually leads to global environmental issues such Therefore, the energy-efficient options might not cause an instant
as global warming and climate change. savings of money if the cost of implementation of new energy-efficient
So, what will happen when you use energy efficiently? technologies offsets any anticipated financial gains from saving energy.
Efficient energy usage will result in less energy (or However, the accumulated utility savings over time from efficient
electricity) consumption. Therefore, the need for electricity energy upgrades may have the potential to offset the implementation
generation will be reduced. Thus, it will reduce the amount costs in the long run. Therefore, take away the message that energy-
of fossil fuel burning in the power plants and consequently efficient options are worth the investment!
reduce GHG emissions that lead to the above-stated
problems. Fossil fuels are sometimes burned directly for Rebound Effect
various purposes, such as heating of buildings, heating of
water, etc. Efficient energy usage will also help reduce This is a situation where improving energy efficiency saves less energy
direct GHG emissions related to these purposes. In than it was expected in the beginning. But how can this crisis occur?
summary, engaging in energy efficiency practices will The crisis occurs when the demand for energy services does not stay
effectively contribute to reducing the individual’s carbon constant. That is, if the demand for energy consumption increases
footprint. with the declining prices of energy services, it eventually will cause
Electricity generation via fossil fuel burning not only fewer energy savings than anticipated. For instance, let us say fuel-
releases greenhouse gases but also releases other harmful efficient vehicles reduce travel expenses due to the implementation of
air pollutants like particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen energy-efficient technology. Even though the ultimate expectation of
and sulfur, etc. Therefore, less energy production achieved the energy-efficient implementation was to reduce energy usage, what
by efficient energy usage will help reduce outdoor air if the consumers choose to drive long distances unlike before, as now
pollution as well. Moreover, any energy efficiency practice the travel expenses are reduced? If this additional energy usage on
that leads to a reduction of harmful gaseous emissions long-distance driving offsets any potential energy savings anticipated
from home appliances will improve indoor air quality. in the beginning, then it causes the “rebound effect”.
Indoor air pollution is a serious threat to human health as
it promotes diseases such as respiratory diseases, Let’s be Energy Efficient!
cardiovascular diseases, allergies, etc. Therefore,
improvement in air quality can be considered an important Some ways to reduce energy consumption
gain from efficient energy usage. Efficient energy practices at office, factory, and day-to-day life.
that are aimed at improving insulation and ventilation in a
building have also been found to have positive
consequences on both the physical and mental well-being
of residents.
As mentioned earlier in this article, energy efficiency is one
of the ways to address rising energy demand. According to
ACEEE (The American Council for an Energy-Efficient
Economy), energy efficiency could provide 1/3 of the total
expected energy requirements by 2030. In other words, it
eliminates the need for 487 large powerhouses.
From the point of view of consumers, the main motivation
for adopting energy efficiency measures is the potential
energy savings that will result from the cut in their utility
bills. From the point of view of a business, cost reductions,
reduced risk of energy price fluctuations, improvement of
brand reputation, and improvement of the working
environment for employees can be some of the benefits.
Energy efficiency will also create jobs! When there is a
higher demand for energy-efficient products and services,
new businesses will be created, and thereby new jobs will
also be created.
Energy efficiency benefits the economy of a country in
numerous ways. In many countries, there are subsidiary
schemes for energy-efficient products, as they will help
reduce energy imports from foreign countries and also
slow down the rate of depletion of natural domestic energy
resources.

Continue reading >

HUSMA'21

Let’s be Energy Efficient!

So, how can we be energy efficient? Some believe that replacing a few appliances at random with energy-efficient appliances would result in
significant energy savings and, as a result, significant utility bill savings. Well, it is not the case. To procure considerable utility savings, you
might have to consider a more strategic approach that targets the significant sources of energy waste at your home or organization. More
interestingly, in this kind of strategic approach, there is a possibility for you to discover more simple ways to improve energy efficiency before
going for more complex procedures.
As always, let us consider an example. Appliances that are plugged in even when they are not in use draw power and eventually end up
wasting energy. This is called “phantom energy load”. As a result, if you want to be more energy-efficient, you can start with simpler, more
problematic areas like this before moving on to more complex, energy-efficient appliances. Smart power strips prevent the plugged-in
applications that are turned off from drawing electricity and this will effectively eliminate the wastage of energy.
Likewise, you can conduct a simple energy audit by yourself or with the help of a professional to evaluate the energy efficiency of the house
or the organization. Then find out the best ways to improve energy efficiency. Most of the latest versions of appliances, such as freezers,
ovens, dryers, dishwashers, and air conditioners use less energy than their older versions. Therefore, replacing old appliances with new,
efficient ones will pay off in the long term, even though it might be expensive to purchase.
Industries around the world can be considered as the major energy consumers. The majority of industrial processes are powered by
petroleum fuels or electricity. However, industrial processes are so diverse that a generalized possible procedure to improve industrial energy
efficiency cannot be assigned. Even so, energy efficiency is a huge requirement for any industry, and it deserves a separate energy
management team to search for the best ways to manage energy and improve energy efficiency.
Some of the common ways to improve energy efficiency may include the installation of solar LED lamps, the installation of automated lighting
systems based on daylight availability and the room’s occupancy, optimization of air compressors to make sure they do not have leaks that
can amount to huge energy wastages, etc.
As of now, you may have a basic idea of how energy efficiency can act as a potential solution to many of the global problems we are currently
faced with. Now, it is the time to be active. It’s time for you to take the lead and let others follow you.

References:

Energy efficiency and conservation – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (2020, December 8). Energy Efficiency and
Conservation. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/use-of-energy/efficiency-and-conservation.php
Learn More. (2021). Energy Efficiency Day. https://energyefficiencyday.org/learn-more/
What is Energy Efficiency? (n.d.). About ENERGY STAR | ENERGY STAR. Retrieved September 30, 2021, from
https://www.energystar.gov/about/about_energy_efficiency
Echeverría, D., Roth, J., Mostafa, M., & Gass, P. (2020). Energy Efficiency. In Circular Economy Proxy Measures: Indicators on job effects for
a closed-loop economy (pp. 12–14). International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep29240.8
Health and wellbeing – Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency – Analysis. (n.d.). IEA. Retrieved September 30, 2021, from
https://www.iea.org/reports/multiple-benefits-of-energy-efficiency/health-and-wellbeing

Image Courtesy:

https://bit.ly/3CZD5Mi
https://bit.ly/3uryMpJ
https://bit.ly/3ARvSx3

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HUSMA'21

WORLD RIVERS DAY; River Delta
ARTERIES OF
PLANET EARTH Fan-shaped river delta in Alaska,
Lower Cook Inlet, Kachemak Bay.
By K. Bhagya D. K. Karunathilake

I closed my eyes to feel the cool yet solacing breeze near the riverbank. My ears filled with the burbling At the mouth of the river, the land
sound of the river. Vying with that was the sound of cattails brushing on each other. I almost choked flattens out. As a result, the water
thanks to the foul smell of the breeze. It was more than enough to wake me up from my imagination. I loses its speed and spreads into a
looked to my side and saw him being absorbed in a drawing of a river in his storybook. I knew what was fan shape. Because of the reduced
coming at me. In no time with his innocent eyes looking directly at me, he asked, ” Grandma, the rivers in speed, all of the sand, sediment,
this book are blue in color and beautiful but why is this river green color and ugly?” I gulped in guilt. and nutrients carried by the river
settle and form a delta. It is
World Rivers Day important to note that every river
does not necessarily have a delta.
In 2021, World River Day falls on the 26th of September. Annually, people in more than 100 countries A river delta is a highly fertile
participate to celebrate the world’s waterways on the 4th Sunday of September. This day emphasizes agricultural zone. It is called the
the importance of rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encourages the improved “cradle” of human civilization.
stewardship of rivers all around the world. Human civilizations began near
In 2005, the United Nations launched a campaign named ‘Water for Life Decade’ to help create a greater river deltas due to the high
awareness of the need to better care for our water resources. Alongside this, the establishment of availability of water and fertile soil
World Rivers Day happened as a response to a proposal by the international river conservationist, Mark for agriculture purposes. The
Angelo. Since 2005 the event gained popularity and grew over the years. earliest human civilizations include
the Ancient Egyptians on the Nile
“Rivers are the arteries of our planet; they are lifelines in the truest sense” River, the Mesopotamians on the
Mark Angelo Tigris River, the Ancient Chinese on
the Yellow River, and Ancient India
What are Rivers? on the Indus River – and all of the
above are associated with river
A river is a ribbon-like body of fresh water that flows from a higher elevation to a lower elevation due to deltas. The river delta also
gravity. The starting point from where the water begins to flow is called “headwater”. Headwater comes provides breeding and nesting
from precipitation runoff from the surrounding landscape or groundwater. Initially, headwater finds its grounds for hundreds of species
way downhill as small creeks which will eventually merge to form rivers. The other end of the river is of fish and birds.
called its “mouth”. At the mouth, water carried by the river is emptied into a large body of water, such as
a lake or an ocean. River Estuary

What Parts Make Up Rivers? What are This is a place where the
their Significances? freshwater of a river mixes with
seawater near the river mouth.
The anatomy of a river is quite interesting. Let’s check it out. The ultimate result is brackish
water. This is one of the unique
Riverbank ecosystems that nature has gifted
us. River estuary is home to a
variety of unique plant and animal
species that have adapted to
brackish water.

Riverbank is the land on either side of a river. This is an important nutrient-rich area where wildlife and More about the
birds are profusely seen. It provides habitats for ducks, voles, otters, beavers, and reeds. Its foremost importance of
uses include protection from erosion during floods and filtering of polluted runoff from cities. rivers…..

Floodplains Apart from the above-mentioned 2175

These are low, flat areas next to rivers that significances, rivers continue to be
periodically flood when the water level is high.
The floodplain houses many animals and plants one of the most important sources SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
that often need floods to survive and reproduce.
During floods, sediment carried up by rivers is of life for animals, plants, and
deposited on the floodplain. Sediment consists
of highly fertile topsoil that has been washed humans. Rivers support aquatic
away into rivers with rainwater. Deposition of
sediment converts floodplains into highly fertile ecosystems which are important
agricultural zones.
and vibrant ecosystems for many
Beavers living on a riverbank.
species. Animals use rivers for
Continue reading >
food and water. Rivers are a rich

source of accessible surface water,

which is 0.01% of the total water

on Earth. Freshwater is essential

for the survival of life. Humans

fulfill their need for freshwater

mainly through rivers. Humans use

rivers for drinking, cleaning,

irrigation in agriculture,

transportation, producing

electricity, and leisure activities.

HUSMA'21 Amazon River

Amazing Facts About Rivers This is the largest river in the world by volume. Every
second, it discharges around 200,000 m3 of
Nile River freshwater into the ocean! It is also the second-
longest river in the world. It is home to the Amazon
It is the longest river in the world which is 4258 miles long. In River Dolphin, one of four “true” river dolphin
1970, Aswan High Dam was built to control yearly flooding in species.
the river.

Colorado River Onyx River

Yes, like every river this also has a source of origin. It is the longest river in Antarctica. The water is
But it does not end up in an ocean or a lake. So entirely from the melting of snow and ice. It goes
where does it go to? The Colorado River used to towards the middle of Antarctica away from the
flow into the Pacific Ocean through the Gulf of ocean!
California. But now it no longer reaches the ocean
due to overuse of water and the impacts of climatic
change.

Pollution of Rivers and Its
Effects

Today, the word “pollution” is entangled with every natural resource that you can
think of. River pollution is the contamination of water with harmful substances and
chemicals which degrade the quality of water and adversely affect the
environment and living organisms. Water gets easily polluted because it can
dissolve more substances than any other liquid on Earth.

Onyx River in Antarctica.

Trash and waste products that are illegally dumped finally end up in rivers. This trash includes Styrofoam, metal containers, batteries, plastic
packages, etc. They clog waterways and impose a risk to birds and fish as they may swallow or become entangled in them. Soil erosion and
sediment spills can lead to an accumulation of sand, grit, and fine solids at the bottom of waterways, which is known as siltation. Siltation has
deprived the availability of clean water and has adversely affected invertebrate life and fish egg survival.
The agriculture sector is the biggest consumer of fresh water from rivers. Unfortunately, it is also the leading water polluter. Whenever it
rains, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and animal waste are carried by the rain and eventually end up in rivers. This leads to eutrophication.
Algae begin to grow uncontrollably because of the high levels of nitrates and phosphates in the water. Hence, the water body becomes green
in color. Algal blooms limit light penetration in rivers, reducing the growth of plants and lowering the success of predators that need light to
catch their prey.

A river suffering from After the algae die, to decompose dead organic matter, a large amount of O2 is required. This 1285
eutrophication. leads to the formation of a “dead zone”, where a lack of a sufficient amount of oxygen to support
organisms is observed. The absence of O2 reduces biodiversity and causes the death of animal
and plant species. The microorganisms that decompose the organic matter in the absence of SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
oxygen release toxic compounds like H2S. Eutrophication also gives off bad odors and a foul
taste to the water. Wastewater is used water. It comes from domestic sources such as toilets and
sinks and industrial activities. Illegal discharge of wastewater releases many harmful chemicals
into the water.
About 80% of the world’s wastewater is dumped into the environment without any treatment.
Precipitation runoff also transports oil and toxic chemicals from roads and industries to rivers.
The chemicals include detergents, surfactants, oils, hydrocarbons, organic solvents, and heavy
metals such as cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic. All the pollutants mentioned above are
toxic to aquatic life. It reduces the organisms’ life span and ability to reproduce. These chemicals
make their way up in the food chains, leading to bioaccumulation.
Over the last 10 years, the IUCN Species Survival Commission has identified threats to more than
25,000 freshwater species. We are currently losing freshwater species more rapidly than either
marine or terrestrial species.

Pollutants degrade the water quality and make it unsuitable for consumption. Consuming such
polluted water will lead to liver damage, cancer and the list goes on. Cholera, giardia, and typhoid
are diseases caused by waterborne pathogens that enter into rivers due to fecal contamination.
Globally at least 2 billion people use a water source contaminated with feces.

Dead fish in a river because of
water pollution.

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What Can We Do? What We Should Do? SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05

Rivers contain only 0.49% of the total surface fresh water available on Earth. But it is the most used freshwater source. Thus, the importance
of freshwater is crystal clear. We should keep in mind that the amount of freshwater is finite. By 2050, the global demand for fresh water is
expected to be one-third greater than it is now. At that time, will there be clean and safe freshwater? Or will humans have to pay for bottled
freshwater for every single need? What happens in the future is completely in our hands. We should take action to protect and conserve
rivers for the future. This can be done by:

Making sure that the regulations that restrict industry and agricultural activities from releasing polluted water into rivers are effectively
and consistently enforced.
Treating of wastewater at a wastewater treatment plant before releasing the water back to the environment.
Reduce plastic usage and reuse and recycle of plastic.
Using sustainable drainage systems to control pollution from surface run-off.
Do not overuse pesticides and fertilizers. This will prevent run-off of harmful chemicals into rivers.
Using phosphate-free detergents
Properly dispose of chemicals, oils and non-biodegradable substances to prevent them from ending up down the drain.
Building covers and barriers to control soil erosion.
Avoid littering. Instead dispose garbage into a garbage can.
Help clean up any litter on rivers.
Organizing river clean up events
Fish enhancement programs

“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water”
W. H. Auden

Everyone should be thankful for nature for all the freshwater that they utilize. It is our prime responsibility to conserve rivers and make fresh
water available for future generations. Otherwise, we shall be left speechless in front of the questions of the future generation as mentioned
in the beginning. But at that time we can do nothing to reverse the effects. But now starting today, if you take necessary actions we all
together can prevent a big crisis from happening.

References:

Rivers, Streams, and Creeks. USGS, Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-
school/science/rivers-streams-and-creeks?qt-science_center_objects=0#
What Makes a River?. America Rivers, Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.americanrivers.org/rivers/discover-your-river/river-
anatomy/
River. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/river/
Why are Rivers So Important?. WWF, Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/why-are-rivers-so-important-
and-what-are-we-doing-protect-them
Davis, B. (2021, May 30). Why does the Colorado River no longer reach the ocean? . mvorganizing, Retrieved September 14, 2021, from
https://www.mvorganizing.org/why-does-the-colorado-river-no-longer-reach-the-ocean/
Denchak, M. (2018, May 14). Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know. NRDC, Retrieved September 15,2021, from
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-know
Causes of Water Pollution. NetRegs, Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://www.netregs.org.uk/environmental-
topics/water/preventing-water-pollution/causes-of-water-pollution/
Chislock, M.F., Dostor, E., Zitomer, R.A. & Wilson, A.E. (2013). Eutrophication: Causes, Consequences, and Controls in Aquatic Ecosystems.
Nature Education Knowledge 4(4):10 https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/eutrophication-causes-consequences-and-
controls-in-aquatic-102364466/
About World Rivers Day. World Rivers Day. Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://worldriversday.com/about/
Nunez, C. (2010, March 16). Water pollution is a rising global crisis. Here’s what you need to know. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, Retrieved
September 15, 2021, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/freshwater-pollution?
cmpid=int_org=ngp::int_mc=website::int_src=ngp::int_cmp=amp::int_add=amp_readtherest

Image Courtesy:

https://bit.ly/3kFJJRl
https://bit.ly/3u8Itte
https://bit.ly/2Y2HWNH
https://bit.ly/3D0lTq3
https://bit.ly/3o72z61
https://bit.ly/3kDiCq2

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“WHEN YOU REALIZE THE VALUE OF ALL LIFE, YOU GORILLAS; THE 2205
DWELL LESS ON WHAT IS PAST AND CONCENTRATE GENTLE GIANTS
MORE ON THE PRESERVATION OF THE FUTURE” SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
By Phothygajana Gajenthira
DIAN FOSSEY
The Body Structure of Gorillas;
A baby gorilla The Great Apes

Who are Gorillas? Gorillas have an unusually large, strong chest and a bulging abdomen. Skin and
Where do they live? hair are both black-colored. They have a large nose, small ears, and brow ridges
that are very much noticeable. Adults’ arms are longer than their sturdy legs.
Gorillas belong to the order Primates. They are the Males are about twice as hefty as females, growing to a height of 1.7 m and a
largest animals of all Primates, family – Hominidae, weight of 135–220 kg in the wild. Both sexes of captive gorillas can get quite obese
genus- Gorilla. There are mainly two species and each and, as a result, substantially heavier.
species consist of two subspecies. The Western Gorilla A wild adult female stands around 1.5 m tall and weighs 70–90 kilograms. The
(Gorilla gorilla) is divided into two subspecies: the face, hands, and feet of gorillas are hairless, and the chests of old males are bare.
Western Lowland Gorilla (G. gorilla gorilla), which lives in Mountain Gorilla (G. beringei beringei) has longer hair than the other three
lowland rainforests from Cameroon to the Congo River, subspecies. Adult males have a large crest on top of their heads and a “saddle” of
and the Cross River Gorilla (G. gorilla diehli), which lives gray or silver hairs on the lower half of their backs. The saddle on Eastern Gorillas
in a small arboreal region along the Cross River that (G. beringei), which are coal-black, is much more apparent than on Western
divides Nigeria and Cameroon. Gorillas (G. gorilla), which are deep gray-brown.
The Eastern Gorilla (G. beringei) has two subspecies: the
Eastern Lowland Gorilla (G. beringei graueri), which lives Silverback gorilla is standing in its
in the lowland rainforests of the eastern Democratic position.
Republic of the Congo, and the Mountain Gorilla (G.
beringei beringei), which lives in the north and east of Family and Lifestyle of Our
Lake Kivu, near the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and Closest Cousins
Congo. Gorillas and humans share 98.3% of their DNA,
making them our third closest relatives after A troop of gorillas can consist of 5 to 30 individuals, each commanded by a strong,
chimpanzees and bonobos. Gorillas are powerful skillful male or more than two or three males known as “Silverbacks.” Females,
creatures, thus they are portrayed as monster types in newborns, juveniles, and young adult males called ‘Blackbacks’ make up the rest of
movies, but in reality, they are calm, non-aggressive, the group. The gorillas are largely land-dwelling and active during the day (diurnal).
peaceful, and family-oriented animals unless disturbed. They walk using their four limbs and the locomotion method is called “knuckle-
walking” where part of their weight is carried on the knuckles of their hands.
Distribution of gorillas in Africa. Although they are gentle, in case they sense some intrusions, they might show
some aggressive actions to protect their members. In particular, the Silverback
Continue reading > shows some fantastic displays like thumping his chest with cupped hands and
making loud noises, screams and hurries towards the intruder chasing them away.
Males and females both thump their chests, but male thumps are substantially
louder because air sacs in the throat and chest make the sound more
reverberating.

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Mother gorilla is carrying its baby gorilla as it is too There is no set breeding season for wild female gorillas;
small and can’t walk on its feet. they give birth once every four years. The gestation
period is approximately eight and a half months, and
most births are single. However, twins do occur in rare
cases. A baby gorilla weighs about 2 kg and is completely
defenseless for the first three months of its existence. So
the mother carries it in her arms. During the nights the
young gorilla sleeps in the mother’s nest and during the
day times, the mother gorilla carries the baby on its
back.
Female gorillas achieve reproductive maturity between
the ages of eight to ten. But first, she must leave her
troop and seek another group or an alone silverback to
live with. Males reach sexual maturity around the age of
nine. The baby gorilla grows very quickly and at five to six
months, is taught how to walk and by eighteen months
can follow its mother on foot. Hence the safest place for
the baby gorilla is its mother’s back. Gorillas eat plant
parts containing leaves, stems, fruits, seeds, roots, etc. as
their food. Eastern Gorillas eat leaves, stalks, and shoots,
whereas Western Gorillas consume more fruit.

Are Gorillas; The Great African Apes Facing Any Threats?

We must act as soon as possible to keep our valuable relatives from becoming extinct species because both species of gorillas are
categorized as critically endangered by the IUCN. Eastern Gorillas are in the most critical stage as their numbers are declining more than the
Western Gorillas. Only around 880 Mountain Gorillas are left in the world. The gorilla population is falling due to habitat loss caused by
unethical human actions such as forest habitat destruction, poaching; diseases such as Ebola and Covid-19; and poor law enforcement.
The bushmeat trade is the biggest threat for gorillas nowadays in west and central Africa. Gorillas are killed to meet high-end meat demand in
urban areas. Coltan mining is another big hazard to gorillas. Coltan is a metallic ore that is obtained from gorilla-inhabited jungles. The
extraction of this mineral results in significant habitat degradation and, in many cases, a rise in unlawful bushmeat. Even though the gorillas
are listed as critically endangered species, we still have time to protect our close relatives by raising awareness and making efforts at the
individual, local, and international levels.

We can preserve and restore gorilla habitats, and conserve them in places
like national parks, zoos, etc. stop illegal poaching and bushmeat trade by
strictly implementing laws and making everyone adhere to them. Coltan
extracted from these mines is utilized in a variety of electronic devices
that many people use very often. Recycling cell phones and other devices
like laptops and cameras is one method to help gorillas. Consumers may
make a huge difference in the lives of gorillas by recycling these
electronics and contacting firms to guarantee that mining locations do not
seek bushmeat. World Gorilla Day is celebrated on the 24th of September
and this day is an opportunity to celebrate our closest cousins and to take
measures to save their lives.

References: A troop of gorillas conserved in a national
park carrying on their routine activities

Alexandra Reddy. (n.d.). World gorilla day- gorillas at PASA member centers. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from 215
https://pasa.org/awareness/world-gorilla-day/
San Diego zoo wildlife alliance animals and plants: Gorilla. (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2021, from SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/gorilla
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2021, August 26). Britannica: Gorilla. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from
https://www.britannica.com/animal/Gorilla-primate-genus
WWF: Gorilla. (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/gorilla
WWF: World gorilla day, 24 September. (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://www.wwf.org.uk/get-
involved/schools/calendar/world-gorilla-day

Image Courtesy:

https://bit.ly/2W5Z306
https://bit.ly/2ZrgaLi
https://bit.ly/3lQnWWr
https://bit.ly/3zBO2BB
https://bit.ly/2XMSBfA
https://bit.ly/3zxI3gT

HUSMA'21

Most probably you may have heard the name
“Firefox” as a web browser. But ever wondered
from whom this name was inspired? The real
firefox is non-other than the Red Panda. Although
it is being called a “panda”, it is only slightly larger
than a domestic cat. Red Pandas have been called
many nicknames such as the lesser bear, the red
cat-bear, the red bear-cat, the real/true bear, and
the firefox. We celebrate September 18th as
International Red Panda Day aiming to educate
the world, secure and restore their habitats, and
raise awareness on these adorable species and
their global conservation.

Is it a Bear, a Panda, RED PANDA; THE
or a Raccoon? REAL FIREFOX

The taxonomy of Red Panda has been
controversial and debatable. At first, due to
morphological similarities, it was considered a
member of the raccoon family, Procyonidae. Later it
was included in the bear family, Ursidae based on
similarities in ecological and morphological
characters. Finally, biologists assigned them to an
independent family, Ailuridae where Red Panda is
the sole member. Red Pandas earned the title, “the
original / the only / the true panda” because
biologists first described and classified them 50
years before giant pandas. There are 2 subspecies
of Red Pandas as; Himalayan Red Panda, Ailurus
fulgens fulgens, and Chinese Red Panda, Ailurus
fulgens styani.

By S.T. Ravini Upeka De Silva

Characteristics of Red Panda

Raccoon bears grayish coat with Red Panda possesses a unique reddish-brown thick fur coat with blackish fur on its
dexterous front paws underneath belly and limb regions. The coloration of its fur coat blends well with
reddish-brown moss and white lichen that cover the canopy of fir trees in its habitats
facilitating camouflage that protects them from predation. A long, bushy tail with
alternative transverse rings protects against cold and harsh conditions. Also, it assists to
maintain balance when moving along tree branches and rock edges.
The round face comprises reddish-brown ‘tear markings’ that extend from the eyes to
the corner of the mouth. It is believed that these markings aid them to keep their eyes
out of sunlight. Short black snout, pointed upright ears and blackish eyes are other
highlighted facial features. Considering an adult Red Panda, length from head to body
ranges between 50 – 65 cm, length of tail from 30 – 50 cm, and weight from 3 – 6.2 kg. A
unique and common feature shared by both the Red Panda and the Giant Panda is the
pseudo–thumb as both are predominantly bamboo feeders. This is a modified wrist
bone that is useful in grabbing bamboo stems and tree branches.

Red Panda Habitats 225

Red Panda characterized by its Red Pandas reside in temperate mountain forests of Himalayas, India, Nepal, Tibet, and SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
Reddish-brown fur coat and Southwestern China where bamboo trees, deciduous, and conifer forests are densely
blackish underneath populated. As the name states, Himalayan Red Pandas are found in higher altitudes of
India, Tibet, and Nepal. Chinese Red Pandas are found predominantly in China and
Myanmar.

Continue reading >

HUSMA'21

Red Pandas are native to the Himalayas, Behavior
Nepal, and Southwestern China
Red pandas are skillful acrobats as they are mainly arboreal.
Generally, they are very shy, quiet, and solitary animals except
during mating season. Vocalizations like twittering, squealing,
whistling, tweeting are their means of communication. They are
considered nocturnal animals as they are most active in dawn
and dusk. Therefore, during the daytime, they are very lethargic
and rest on trees to lower their metabolic rate to conserve
energy due to their diet with much lower nutrition. They also
exhibit territorial marking using anal glands and urine. A cone-
like structure that is located on the underside of its tongue aids
in detecting the odor/scent of these territorial markings.

Diet of Red Panda

Although classified as carnivores, to be precise they are
herbivorous – carnivores. A large portion of their diet
comprises bamboo leaves as it is difficult for them to digest
cellulose. Also, they feed on fruits, insects, grass, mushrooms,
roots, lichens, eggs, flowers, small mammals, birds, and berries.

Breeding

In the wild, adults interact actively during the mating season only. Female
panda starts to build a nest, before the birth of offspring, in the tree roots
or hollow stumps. Mother constantly groom and nurse her cubs. Mother
panda can recognize each cub via their distinct smell. Cubs can open their
eyes at the age of 18 days and gradually grow to become sexually mature
around 18 months of age.

Threats and Conservation New-born Red Panda offsprings

According to the IUCN Red List, the conservational status of Red Panda is mentioned as an endangered species. Deforestation that leads to
habitat loss or fragmentation, poaching for their skin, illegal trade, and inbreeding depression are the grounds for the vanishing of these
creatures.
Countries like Myanmar, China, and India have named protected areas for their populations. These niches are areas with dense bamboo
trees. Zoological gardens contribute by restoration of the Red Panda population by captive breeding programs so that they can be safely
bred and released to the wild successfully. There are successful programs out there that restore degraded forests (habitat) by planting
vegetation and establishing food and water resources to avoid competition. In Nepal, waterholes for wildlife, particularly for Red Panda
habitats are created due to water scarcity in these regions. Education is the key to success. The community that deserves education on the
conservation of these animals, is the local community that lives with those animals. Raising awareness and introducing alternatives to reduce
dependency on Red Pandas’ niches for timbering and livestock feeding, which degrades their limited resources, assist in boosting their
population growth positively.
Despite the challenges and plight of their lives, Red Pandas are not strangers to popular culture. Their distinct and eye-catching look has
made them into inspirations of animation and cartoon characters such as the Kungfu teacher, Master Shifu from “Kungfu Panda”, and Pabu
from “The Legend of Korra”.

References: 235

Red Panda Facts. (2021). Retrieved 13 September 2021, from https://redpandanetwork.org/Red-Panda-Facts SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
Red panda. (2021). Retrieved 13 September 2021, from https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/red-panda
Is a Red Panda a Bear? And More Red Panda Facts. (2021). Retrieved 13 September 2021, from
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/red-panda-bear-and-more-red-panda-facts
red panda | Characteristics, Habitat, & Facts. (2021). Retrieved 13 September 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/animal/red-panda
7 Things You Didn’t Know About Red Pandas. (2021). Retrieved 13 September 2021, from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/thoughtful-
animal/7-things-you-didne28099t-know-about-red-pandas/
Glatston, A., Wei, F., Than Zaw (IUCN SSC Cat SG / Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), M., & Sherpa, A. (2021). IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species: Ailurus fulgens. Retrieved 13 September 2021, from https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/714/110023718
Red Panda Network. (2021). Retrieved 13 September 2021, from https://redpandanetwork.org/
Red Panda | National Geographic. (2021). Retrieved 13 September 2021, from
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/red-panda
Red Panda | Species | WWF. (2021). Retrieved 13 September 2021, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/red-panda
https://bit.ly/3Ewh7BW
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https://bit.ly/3tQx5Sq

HUSMA'21

WHALE SHARK; A WHALE-
LIKE SHARK OR A SHARK-
LIKE WHALE? By W. A. Piyumi Uthpala

Ruwanmalie

To clarify it first, a Whale Shark is a shark, a gigantic shark. In fact, it is the largest living Any interesting
fish in the world. These creatures are so remarkable that they own a special day which
falls on the 30th of August each year. International Whale Shark Day is therefore aimed behaviours?
at raising awareness about these magnificent fish species while encouraging any efforts
of conserving them. Let us find out some more information on these enormous Despite their large size, Whale Sharks are
creatures so that you can realize why they deserve their very own day! harmless and not aggressive, unlike their shark
relatives. Therefore Whale Sharks are given a
What does Whale Shark look nickname as “Gentle Giants”. They are slow
like? swimmers that move at a speed of about 3 miles
per hour. However, they are long-distance
The Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish in the ocean. The Blue Whale is migrators capable of traveling thousands of
the largest mammal in the ocean, remember? miles for their food and reproduction
Rhincodon typus is the only extant member of the genus Rhincodon belonging to the requirements.
subclass Elasmobranchii of the class Chondrichthyes. A whale shark can grow up to a The favorite foods of Whale Sharks are plankton,
maximum length of 18 m and a weight of about 10,000 kg. However, most Whale Sharks small fishes, and crustaceans. Although they
studied so far have only given an average length of 12 m. possess 300 rows of teeth, they are vestigial
Whale Sharks differ from other shark species in many ways. They have a broad flat teeth and have no use in feeding. In fact, Whale
head, a truncated snout, and a large size mouth. Three conspicuous ridges are running Sharks are filter feeders. For this purpose, they
along each side of the body. Its belly is white-colored. The back and sides are greyish have a filtering apparatus that is composed of 20
colored and are with scattered white or yellowish stripes and spots. The numerous unique filtering pads. These filter pads are sieve-
spots scattered on the dorsal surface of the body make it looks as if it is carrying “many like structures that help separate food from the
stars”. The pattern in which these spots and stripes are arranged is unique and just like water. During the process of filter-feeding,
human fingerprints, gives an identity to individual sharks. planktonic and other small organisms are caught
in the filtering structure while water is expelled
back to the ocean through their gill slits. Whale
Sharks can process over 6000 liters of water per
hour.

A Whale Shark showing spots and stripes arranged Whale Sharks display diverse feeding strategies. One
on its dorsal surface resembling a checkerboard method is passive feeding, in which a Whale Shark
pattern swims slowly keeping its mouth open, allowing
planktons to strain from water. In active-suction
feeding, the whale shark opens and closes its mouth 2245
creating suction and thereby allows water to suck
into the mouth with a speed. They also display an SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
interesting type of feeding where the animal comes
to a vertical position and feeds using suction. The
choice of feeding behavior depends on the prey
abundance in the surrounding environment and
energy requirement.
One could think that Whale Sharks might have been
studied well because they are big and magnificent
creatures. But it is not the case. Very little is known
about their reproduction, growth, and longevity to
date. The life span of a Whale Shark is estimated to
be about 100-150 years. They are considered to be
slower in growth and sexual maturation. Females
are ovoviviparous which means they keep eggs in
the body and give birth to young. However, these
scenarios are not studied well and in fact, hardly
observed.

Filter feeding process of Whale Sharks

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HUSMA'21

Where do Whale Sharks live?

Whale Sharks are pelagic; occur in the coastal and open sea, often found feeding at the surface. However, they can dive up to 1000 m if they
need to. They mainly inhabit tropical oceans and warm-temperate seas exception being the Mediterranean Sea. Usually, these animals are
solitary. However, they aggregate at the sites with abundant plankton. Such places, therefore, have become prime tourist attraction sites.

Distribution of Whale Sharks

What do they do in the In 2003, they were listed under CITES (Convention on International
ocean? Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) to regulate
the international trade of live animals and their parts. To make it
Eating plankton is the biggest job they do! Whale Sharks help regulate worse, their habitats are also in danger due to climate change,
the oceanic plankton levels thereby protecting their home, the ocean. marine pollution, etc. Climate change causes changes in both prey
But isn’t it good to have plankton in the ocean? As long as they do not and Whale Shark populations. Currently, there is no proper
exceed their normal level, yes planktons are good and indicate a estimate of the global Whale Shark population.
healthy marine ecosystem. However, too much planktonic biomass is Once, a dead, 18 feet long Whale Shark was washed to the coast of
detrimental. Excessive growth of planktons negatively affects several Tamil Nadu in India caught global attention. It was assumed that a
other marine organisms. These outgrowths sometimes lead to vessel strike was the cause of death as the dead animal was
plankton blooms which are toxic to the animals in the ocean as well as injured severely. Later in the postmortem, a plastic spoon was
for other animals at higher levels in the food chain. found stuck in the whale’s digestive system. This is a shocking
reveal of how plastic waste affects innocent marine species.
Especially filter feeders suffer a lot because of these plastics we
dump into the ocean.

Whale Sharks feeding on plankton Whale Shark meat drying at Pamilacan 25
Island, Philippines which is now banned
Are they threatened as SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
well? How can we protect Whale
Shark?
Unfortunately, yes. One of the major goals of International Whale
Shark day is to make the community aware of this tragedy faced by the There is good news! It is not too late. We can get involved in the
world’s largest fish. Whale Sharks were listed as endangered by the conservation of Whale Sharks by making the community aware of their
IUCN in 2016. One main reason for them to be endangered is illegal importance to the marine ecosystem and their declining population
fishing for their meat, oil, and fins which have a high demand as a numbers. Whale Sharks do not do well in captivity because of their
delicacy. Accidentally being caught in fishing gears and vessel strikes large size and specialized feeding requirements. Therefore, the best
are some other main reasons. The intrinsic characteristic feature of way is to conserve them in their own habitat. Whale Sharks bring
their late sexual maturation has also been identified as a reason for enormous tourist attractions worldwide. However, tourism sometimes
them to go endangered. poses a threat to the species, often by interrupting their feeding.
Therefore, tourists should always be advised to follow the code of
conduct when they swim with Whale Sharks. Tour boat operators
should also be educated, especially on the movement of sharks, as
they get often injured by boat propellers.
So, on this 30th of August let us celebrate these gentle and colossal
creatures with the final thought, “they may be big, but they need our
protection”.

HUSMA'21

ELEPHANTS IN THE AFRICAN
SAVANNA; WHAT’S IT LIKE
TO BE?

By P. A. Sachini Himasha Perera

Elephants could be identified as the only group left to represent the proboscideans, the terrestrial giants on earth. Family Elephantidae
consists of three genera: Loxodonta, Mammuthus, and Elephas. Among family Elephantidae, Loxodonta and Elephas are the only genera that
survive the present day. Both these genera are commonly known as elephants. Elephants of Genus Loxodonta could be only seen in the
African continent. Therefore, elephants of the genus Loxodonta are known as African elephants.
African elephant consists of two species commonly known as African bush elephant (L. Africana), and African forest elephant (L. cyclotis). Out
of these two species, African bush elephant dwell in vast African savannas. They could be mostly seen in the sub-Saharan plains of the African
continent. African savanna elephant is the largest terrestrial animal in the entire world, outstanding its Asian relatives and the African forest
elephant. African bush elephants are identified as a keystone species that mold savannas into flourishing ecosystems. The body structure,
food patterns, social structure of African elephant has been shaped such that they could survive the environmental conditions of African
savannas.

How does the body
structure of an African
elephant support survival?

African-savanna-elephant The average shoulder height of a male African elephant
(bull) is 3.69 meters and has 10.4 tons of mass which
make them the largest living terrestrial animal on earth.
The skin is greyish black color and less hairy compared
to its Asian relatives. Recent studies have shown that
elephant hair is important to increase the heat transfer
from the body. To survive the high temperatures in the
African savannas, the elephant’s body structure has
undergone adaptations in many ways.
African elephant carries comparatively large triangular
pointed ears. Flapping of ears and creating air currents
is used to increase the release of body heat. During the
hot season, large blood vesicles of the inner side of the
ears are exposed to increase the heat loss, the rough
skin also assists the maintenance of temperature.
Maintaining the body temperature is the main issue
that the African savanna elephant faces due to its large
volume to surface area ratio, owing to being the largest
of all terrestrial animals.

African elephant carry a highly muscular trunk that supports various needs such as feeding, drinking bathing, communication, defending, and
attacking. The trunk is used as a snorkel when an elephant swims across the water. Both cows and bulls of African savanna elephants carry
tusks, which grow throughout their lifetime. Tusks are used in digging, food gathering, stripping bark and it protects the trunk from dangers.
An African elephant carries six molars in each jaw. These molars develop in different periods of an elephant’s life. The genus name of the
African elephant, Loxodonta is referred to as the lozenge-shaped enamel of the molar teeth. Molar teeth of African savanna elephants are
important to grind and chew hard grasses, creepers, and herbs.

Social structure of African elephants 265

Elephants live as herds led by the oldest and largest female of the group. This type SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
of social structure is known as a matriarchal group. Elephant herds mostly consists
of cows and calves. Though grown males are also included in the herd, they tend to
roam independently forming smaller groups. Bulls tend to separate from the main
herd known as the kinship group when they are between 10-19 years of age. In dry
seasons the herd is led to watering holes by the matriarch. The matriarch detects
the location of water holes by retrieving its memory. Elephants dig up water holes
after detecting possible places of water existence.

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HUSMA'21

A herd of elephants Importance of African savanna
elephants for the life in Savanna
ecosystems

All other animal species in the savanna, even top predators such as lions
depend on elephants for their survival. Water holes dug up by elephants are
used by most other species in African savannas. Elephant dung consists of
various plant seeds, therefore, acts as a transportation source of seeds
throughout savannas. Ability to uproot shrubs, trees keep the savanna
grounds, pastures open for other herbivores species such as zebras, wild
beasts, gazelles to feed on. Due to the importance of African elephants, they
are identified as a keystone species or “biological engineers” in African
savanna ecosystems.

Strategies to survive from predators in
the vast savanna

Despite its large size, the elephant also feels predator pressure, mainly from
lions. Young calves are the most vulnerable. Compared to any other animal
group of savanna, elephants consist of the best tactics to survive lion attacks.
The main factor that protects elephants from lion attacks is the complex
social structure. The matriarch elephant or any other mature elephant
carries the experience to detect lion roars from a long distance and
communicate with the herd by low rumbles that spread through a long
surface area of ground. As soon as the danger is felt by the herd, the
matriarch urges other elephants of the herd to form a barrier around the
young elephant calves.

African Elephants at a water hole As a result of the better eyesight of lions at night, elephant herds are more
vulnerable to lion attacks at nighttime. Most lion attack victims are of age four
to eleven. Studies in Chobe national park, Botswana have shown that
throughout the past twenty years of time lion attacks on elephant herds have
increased, roughly one elephant every three days. Predator pressure will
affect African elephants throughout their lifetime of sixty to seventy years.

Conclusion

An African elephant getting attacked Even though African elephants could outstand predator pressure, survive
by a pride of lions through intense droughts, could sustain the biodiversity of Savanna
ecosystems, there is one thing African elephants lack skills to survive from
References: and fear the most: humans. African elephants are poached by humans to
obtain tusks for the illegal ivory trade. Though the number killed has
drastically decreased due to firm actions of the authorities and activities of
rangers, the illegal hunt continues. Illegal poaching in the 20th century has
led African elephants to the risk of extinction
Other than illegal poaching, the life of African elephants is also threatened by
the increasing human population. Therefore, the survival of African savanna
elephants in generations to come depends on the actions of humans.
Without the survival of African Savanna elephants’, the existence of almost all
Savanna ecosystems is uncertain.

African Elephant | Species | WWF. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2021, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/african-elephant 275
Evolution and taxonomy of African elephants | Natural History Museum. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2021, from
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/our-work/origins-evolution-and-futures/african-elephants.html SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
Myhrvold, C. L., Stone, H. A., & Bou-Zeid, E. (2012). What Is the Use of Elephant Hair? PLoS ONE, 7(10), e47018.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0047018
National Geographic Society. (2013, July 11). A Natural History of the African Elephant. Retrieved August 8, 2021, from
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/natural-history-african-elephant-wbt/family/
R. (2014, October 24). Unforgettable Elephants ~ Crack the Code of Elephant Communication | Nature | PBS. Retrieved August 8, 2021,
from https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/unforgettable-elephants-crack-the-code-of-elephant-communication/5885/
Thorpe, P. (2020, March 30). How Do Elephants Respond To Leopards And Lions | Londolozi Blog. Retrieved August 8, 2021, from
https://blog.londolozi.com/2020/03/30/how-do-elephants-respond-to-leopards-and-lions/
Watch: Elephants 101. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2021, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/african-
elephant
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HUSMA'21

“WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ANIMAL THAT ELEPHANT;
MOURNS; APES DO, AND ELEPHANTS, AND SAVING THE
DOGS. YET WE ARE THE ONLY ONE GREATEST
THAT TORTURES.” MASTERPIECE ON
LAND
GERALDINE By Amrah Izadeen

BROOKS There are only 415,000 of them remaining. This is how far the numbers have fallen 285
from an original amount of 26 million, which was the number of elephants before
The 12th of August, 2012 was the Europe colonized Africa. The Asian elephants are classified as endangered, with only
inaugural World Elephant Day, and 9 about 20,000 to 40,000 elephants, which means they are in even more danger,
years later it is celebrated all over the especially if the numbers do not increase.
world by many wildlife organizations and The sole reason for the dwindling numbers is anthropogenic activities. Illegal
individuals in different countries. This poaching is one cruel activity that results in the loss of elephants. The insatiable
day is dedicated to the conservation and demand for ivory is the biggest threat to African elephants but, Asian elephants also
safety of Earth’s largest land animal, the face this threat. The male elephants or the ‘bulls’ are usually under attack for their
elephant increasing public awareness of tusks but the increase in demand for meat, leather, and body parts has led to the
the plight of elephants, and bringing killing of both males and females alike.
forth positive solutions to this problem.
There are two main species of Death of Satao SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
elephants, the African elephant, and the
Asian elephant. As their names indicate,
the African savannah elephant can be
found in the savannahs of sub-Saharan
Africa, while the African forest elephant
lives in the rainforests of Central and
West Africa. Some are also found in the
Sahel Desert of Mali in the northern
area. The Asian elephant inhabits the
forests and grasslands of South and
Southeast Asia.
This year marked a new beginning for African
elephants because for the first time the savannah
elephants and forest elephants were considered
as two different species by the International Union
for Conservation of Nature.
These two species have unique characteristics.
Interestingly, the African elephant has ears shaped
like the African continent, while the ears of the
Asian elephant resemble the Indian subcontinent.
In terms of size, the African elephant takes the first
spot. They also can be identified using their trunk.
The African elephant has two fingers at the tip of
its trunk, while the Asian elephant only has one.
Elephants have very thick skin, the folds and
wrinkles can store water which helps them cool
down. They also take regular dust and mud baths
to keep their skin clear and protect themselves
from sunburn.
But in my opinion, the most special characteristic
of an elephant is its large and dense temporal
lobe. It is the largest of all land animals. Because of
the mammoth size of this lobe of the brain
associated with memory, elephants rarely forget.
Their impressive memories help them remember
distant watering holes, other elephants, and
humans even after many years have passed.

“ARE WE HAPPY TO SUPPOSE THAT OUR
GRANDCHILDREN MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO
SEE AN ELEPHANT EXCEPT IN A PICTURE
BOOK?”

DAVID

ATTENBOROUGH

In the future, we will only be able to witness the
attributes of these magnificent creatures in books.
This possibility is soon becoming a reality because
the number of elephants of both species has
drastically reduced over the recent years.
Currently, in Africa, the savannah elephants are
classified as endangered and the forest elephants
as critically endangered.

Continue reading >

HUSMA'21

One of the most heartbreaking deaths due to illegal poaching was that of Kenya’s largest African elephant Satao. He was killed by poison
arrows shot by poachers and he was found with his tusks cut off and his face was severely mutilated. This is just one of the many deaths due
to poaching. We must remember that ivory belongs only to elephants.
Both African and Asian elephants are in danger due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Deforestation and agriculture have led to more human
settlements taking over the areas that elephants used to inhabit. This has led to the inability of elephants to follow their traditional migration
routes which makes it difficult for them to reach water and feeding grounds. The fragmentation of habitats also causes the elephants to
become isolated, therefore breeding becomes challenging and poaching becomes easier.
When humans take over the elephants’ habitat, it brings them near the pachyderms, leading to human-elephant conflicts. This was a widely
spoken-about topic in our country as well. The conflicts occur due to the elephants’ need for space and also because it destroys crops and
properties close to their forest habitats. This destruction causes economic losses and therefore the people retaliate, resulting in human and
elephant casualties.

A poster of
the

documentary
“An apology
to elephants”

Baby elephant training at a circus

Another barbaric activity by humans is the mistreatment of
elephants in captivity. This occurs frequently in zoos,
circuses, and even in the tourism industry. ‘An Apology to
Elephants’ is a documentary released in 2013 exploring the
brutal abuse the elephants have to undergo in captivity. It
highlights the psychological trauma and physical injuries
the elephants have to suffer. The saddest part of it all is
that most elephants that are trafficked for the tourism
trade are young wild elephants. In the process of
separating the young from their mother, the mothers are
killed and the young are traumatized.

One activity in Sri Lanka that is shortening the life span of the elephants is the illegal dumping of garbage close to wildlife sanctuaries. These
national treasures, who once foraged in the jungles have been reduced to eating rubbish and emanating a foul odor. The elephants also
become sick since they swallow the plastic and polythene which is found among the solid waste.

An elephant foraging on illegal All of these human activities are leading to the extinction of these fascinating
waste dumps with polythene mammals. Although extinction is part of life on Earth, humans are accelerating the
speed at which extinction is occurring and that is creating a negative impact on this
planet.
Especially since elephants are a keystone species. They play a crucial role in the
ecosystem and therefore without them, the ecosystem will cease to exist. They are
also called ecosystem engineers as they help to form their habitat in many ways.
During the dry season, they dig up dry riverbeds using their tusks and create new
watering holes for animals to drink from. They clear trees, shrubs, and saplings using
them as food, allowing smaller animals like zebras in the savannah to prosper.
Therefore, elephants are also given the name, ‘gardeners of the forest’. Elephants’
dung is also advantageous because it contains seeds, which allows new plants to
grow where the dung has dropped and it is a great habitat for dung beetles too.
Since elephants are critical to the planet, it is our responsibility to conserve them.
There are steps already taken to protect the elephants by scientists, conservationists,
and rangers.

295

One step is the creation of wildlife corridors that allow the safe migration of elephants. Another step was taken to reduce the human- SEPTMAMYE2BE02R 22|0H15U |S IMSAS'U21E 05
elephant conflict by using bee walls to harmlessly keep the elephants out since elephants are afraid of bees. Elephants are also regularly
inspected and they are fitted with GPS collars so that their whereabouts can be constantly tracked. In our country, the government has
enforced a ban on plastics and has prohibited the open dumping of waste near sanctuaries. All that has to be done is successful enforcing of
these laws.
All those who have studied elephants have spread the message of conservation and it has reached the public ear. Therefore, it is also up to
us to stand up, speak out, and take action against the destruction of the majestic elephants. Some actions that we can take include
supporting the ban on the ivory trade, choosing ecotourism which provides ethical tours, buying elephant-friendly honey made using the bee
wall, buying elephant-friendly coffee and tea made from plantations that are not products of deforestation and habitat loss.
Supporting elephant sanctuaries and orphanages where young and old elephants are kept safe in their natural habitats. Volunteer at
conservation societies like our very own Sri Lanka Conservation Society (SLWCS). You can even adopt an orphan baby elephant that has been
kept safe and help it return to the wild. Supporting the research on elephants in captivity and the wild can greatly improve their living
conditions. Also spreading the message of support is one of the top ways of saving elephants or any other animal in danger of extinction.
Finally, a message to all those who love posting pictures when on a tour. If you are fortunate enough to go on an ethical tour, do not geotag
your photos. Poachers use it as a means of finding the location of animals like elephants and hunting them down.
Conserving the creations that we have co-existed with for many years should be a top priority. Because when we save the elephants, then we
save the forest – and then we save ourselves.

HUSMA'21

Every photo has a story! This is what one of my friends told me. Although I eagerly listened to his stories behind most
of the captures I never felt it myself until recently; not until I met this young, sweet, little fellow who was guided by
both of its parents on his lessons of flying.

It was dusk when most birds were
flying back to their nests. I heard a
ceaseless chirping as I ran into the front
yard. It was a fledgling who looked a bit
stubby having a tiny bunch of tail
feathers. It looked troubled yet brave,
brave enough to take off from the chair
in the veranda to the nearby Anthurium
plant. It held the stalk of a leaf firmly.
I was amused to see how one of its
parents was chirping from a branch of
the Rambutan tree. It was cheering up
their little fellow to take another small
step. Under the guidance of its adults
who now called from two different
trees, the young one took off again and
managed to land successfully on a stalk
of a leaf.
Suddenly one of the parents also flew
next to the young one twiddled and
flew showing the direction for it to fly
next. Following the path of its parent, it
successfully managed to perch on a
tree branch. The little fellow completed
its flying lesson of the day!
In life, start of a new thing is pretty
much the hardest part of the course but
it is very important to take the first
step. Life may bring you mild breezes as
well as hurricanes. It is okay to feel
worried but it is not okay to give up!

By Sewwandi Alwis

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