Eight elephants killed by trains in 2 incidents in India

January 2013. In two separate incidents, at least 8 elephants have been killed by trains in India, and several more wounded.

In the first incident, in Orissa, in east India, 5 elephants were killed when their herd was struck by a fast moving train. 3 days later, 3 more elephants were killed in Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, and two calves were injured; it is unlikely they will survive.Elephants in danger from trains

India still has some 25,000 wild elephants, but the population is under serious pressure from loss of habitat, poaching, human/elephant conflict and train strikes. Special measures have been put in place in some districts to protect elephants from trains. Collision prevention measures

It was agreed that, after previous incidents where elephants were killed by trains, that the Ministry of Environment & Forests would engage elephant trackers equipped with mobile phones to receive and pass on information regarding presence of elephant herds around the track. Indian Railways on its part has already issued standing instructions to Station Masters that whenever any information is received regarding movement of elephants, caution orders be issued to drivers for observing utmost care (speed restriction, whistling etc.) while driving in the relevant section. 

Continued: http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/train-elephants.html

Rare Birds 'Died' In Russian Leader's Latest Wildlife Mishap

Vladimir Putin's stunt with Siberian cranes this week was intended to display both his tough-guy image and his commitment toward saving endangered species.

But what it perhaps best highlighted was his curious knack for causing harm to rare animals.

Russian television on September 6 aired footage of the animal-loving president leading orphaned chick cranes in flight aboard an ultralight aircraft.

The exercise was meant to teach the critically endangered birds, who were raised in captivity, to follow the aircraft on their winter migration to Central Asia.

Putin's encounter with the chicks, however, was overshadowed by reports that two of them had died during preparations for his arrival.

A biology student at the nature reserve where the birds are raised, some 200 kilometers southeast of Moscow, revealed that one of the chicks had died after getting caught in the plane's propeller during training.

Maria Goncharova wrote on the Russian social-networking website vKontakte that several other birds were badly injured while being transported to the flight venue, on the Yamal Peninsula in the Russian Arctic.

"One more broke a beak and tore off its claws on crooked netting. Another one died due to faulty transportation...many badly cut themselves," she wrote. "And all this to fly once with Pu."

Goncharova deleted the comment several hours after posting it.

Continued:  http://www.rferl.org/content/claims-rare-cranes-died-during-putin-stunt/24701513.html