Electrocution represents significant threat to raptors in Nepal. However, empirical evidence on post-electrocution recovery and rehabilitation outcomes remains extremely limited. This study documents the rehabilitation and release of an electrocuted raptor recovery monitored over a 23-day period in Kaski District, Nepal, during July-August 2025. An electrocuted black kite (Milvus migrans) exhibited severe neurological impairment after shock injury. Under veterinary guidance and supervision, primary-care protocol of dark-room isolation, minimal handling, and stress minimization was implemented over study period. Progressive improvement was documented, including voluntary feeding, stable perching, prey handling and sustained flight prior to release. This case highlights, in resource-limited settings, stress is often as fatal as the injury itself, and proves that with timely, dark-room isolation, stress-minimized care, recovery is possible. These findings highlight that, even in absence of advanced medical facilities, timely rescue and basic stress-focused care can facilitate recovery to reduce avian mortality from electrocution injury in Nepal.
ABSTRACT Aim We investigated the effects of habitat destruction and hunting on the functional decline of top predators, specifically jaguar and puma, in the Gran Chaco. Location The 1.1 million km 2 South American Gran Chaco. Methods We used spatially explicit, individual‐based models for jaguars and pumas, incorporating detailed information on habitat suitability and hunting pressure. We parameterized our models with literature data and calibrated them through a Delphi expert‐elicitation process. We simulated population trajectories under a hypothetical, threat‐free, baseline versus different threat scenarios. Results Under combined threats of hunting and habitat loss, jaguar and puma populations declined by 88% and 80%, respectively, compared to range contractions of 48% and 35%, respectively. Both species remained regionally viable, particularly due to large protected areas, which acted as population sources but were surrounded by strong sinks. We observed a widespread weakening of the top carnivore guild function, with at least one species extirpated across 67% of the Chaco and strong declines (> 80%; considered here as functional loss) for both species concurrently across 61% of their area of historical co‐occurrence. Hunting was a much stronger driver of population declines (88% and 77% for jaguars and pumas, respectively) compared to habitat destruction (26% and 22%). Main Conclusions Large predators play key functional roles in ecosystems. Our findings reveal that these functions can be lost over vast areas due to the combined effects of habitat destruction and hunting, with functional loss extending far beyond the areas of species' extirpation. Very large protected areas, like Kaa‐Iya in Bolivia, are crucial for maintaining viable populations of top predators, highlighting the pressing need for increased protection and connectivity in the Chaco to prevent further trophic downgrading. More generally, our research underscores the value of spatially detailed, mechanistic models for disentangling the complex dynamics of multiple threats on ecological functioning at broad scales.
Photovoltaic (PV) system output power greatly depends on environmental operating conditions. Partial shaded condition (PSC) operates PV string under mismatch. PV module mismatch has been one of the major causes for reduced amount of output power. Maximizing the amount of energy extraction from PV system under mismatch greatly influenced by conversion efficiency as well as the mismatch mitigation topology used. Differential power processing (DPP) is one of the advanced techniques to deal with mismatch conditions and enhance power output from a PV system. In this paper hybrid modular DPP topology is presented. The proposed technique mitigates the effect of mismatches at submodule and enhance power extraction from PV string. Since in majority shading on a PV module is nonuniform. The conversion efficiency of module level DPP shading mitigation techniques enhanced using submodule level DPP architecture. To demonstrate its applicability simulation study is carried out in MATLAB Simulink and results are compared with traditional bypass method and module level DPP. Simulation results showed the reduction in mismatch loss and improvement in efficiency and power output.
Abstract Cattle ranching in the ~140,000 km2 Brazilian Pantanal is considered one of the most important cases of sustainable use of natural resources in the global south. The region has had a successful history of balancing environmental protection with the production of >3.8 million cattle. However, global change, infrastructure projects, and deforestation, threaten the sustainable use of the Pantanal. Here, using Ostrom's design principles as a framework, we interviewed 49 local stakeholders and conducted a review of secondary information aiming to evaluate the sustainability of cattle ranching practices across the region and the threats to it. We show that well‐defined property boundaries, congruence between appropriation and provision rules through low‐intensity cattle ranching, and co‐management of resources, are all key components for achieving sustainability in the Pantanal. However, we documented shortcomings in satisfying critical aspects of Orstrom's design principles. Specifically, we argue that the Pantanal needs better biodiversity and behavior monitoring, the creation of platforms or mechanisms to solve local conflicts around resource access and use, recognition by governments and international bodies of the local efforts to promote local sustainability, and the creation of networks effectively connecting existing sustainability initiatives.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is an extinction risk assessment tool that has guided species conservation over the last five decades. However, as wildlife scientists and conservationists, we argue that its influence on the global conservation agenda can hinder effective species conservation efforts. Here, we review the limitations of the Red List and its misuse in priority setting, which can overlook local and regional contexts. This can result in improper allocation of conservation resources, especially in the Global South, where financial resources are limited. In particular, funds directed towards red-listed species may fail to address a broader range of conservation priorities. We also contend that extinction risk is insufficient for guiding conservation efforts and recommend broadening conservation planning and decision-making beyond reliance on the Red List. Thus, for a more inclusive and decentralized approach, we summarize guidelines for guiding species conservation at appropriate ecological, spatial, and taxonomic scales. Finally, we encourage more collaborative efforts and stakeholder engagement for the setting of conservation priorities and efficient funding allocation.
