The Junior Age

Category: Animals

Sea Turtles are making a comeback!

Conservationists are celebrating because efforts to protect sea turtles have helped increase their population. Scientists have been studying sea turtle numbers around the world to learn how human activities impact them. A recent study conducted by the IUCN Species Survival Commission Marine Turtle Specialist Group reveals that decades of ongoing conservation efforts have improved the status of the majority of marine turtle populations worldwide. Sea turtles face many threats, including ocean pollution and rising sea temperatures. However, in areas where protection projects have been put in place, sea turtle populations are growing. Still, not all sea turtle species are thriving, and experts say it is important to continue these conservation efforts.

Also Watch full video Fascinating Facts About Marine Turtles

Published in Endangered Species Research, the study titled “Updated Global Conservation Status and Priorities for Marine Turtles” reviewed 48 sea turtle populations across six species worldwide. Over several years, nearly 150 experts from the Marine Turtle Specialist Group, representing 50 countries, came together to evaluate the risks, threats, and conservation needs of these turtles. Surprisingly, the results show that threats to most sea turtle populations have decreased. Now, over 40% of sea turtle groups are considered low risk-low threat, compared to only 23% in 2011. This is a hopeful sign that conservation efforts are working well in many areas. Even though there is still work to do, scientists say this is a real conservation success story.

Get Know more about Mammal, Buy This Mammals Flashcards.

Did you know ?

  • Sea turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs- over 100 million years!
  • There are seven different species of sea turtles, and all of them are either endangered or threatened.
  • Sea turtles eat jellyfish, seaweed, crabs, and even sponges.
  • The largest sea turtle, the leather back, can weigh as much as a small car!
  • May 23 is celebrated as World Turtle Day.

Subscribe To Children’s Newspaper Click here.

Gujarat’s Asiatic Lions roar louder population reaches 891

Did you know that the only place in the whole world where you can find wild Asiatic lions is in Gujarat, India? We have some great news for wildlife lovers! In May 2025, Gujarat conducted its 16th Asiatic Lion Census, revealing a remarkable increase in the lion population. The number of Asiatic lions has risen from 674 in 2020 to 891, marking a 32% growth over five years. This achievement highlights the success of conservation efforts and the importance of protecting these majestic creatures.

Subscribe To Children’s Newspaper Click here.

indianexpress.com

How was the census conducted?

The census took place from May 10 to 13, covering 35,000 square kilometers across 11 districts in Gujarat. Approximately 3,000 volunteers, including forest officers and local residents, participated in the survey. For the first time, the census incorparated closed-circuit television surveillance alongside traditional methods to ensure accurate counting.

Get Know more about Mammal, Buy This Mammals Flashcards.

International Big Cat Alliance

Where are the Lions now?

Asiatic lions are naturally found only in the Gir National Park and its surrounding areas. However, the latest census shows that lions have expanded their territory. with over half of the population now residing outside the Gir forest. They have been spotted in various districts, including Amreli Bhavnagar, and Rajkot. This expansion signifies a healthy and growing lion population.

International Big Cat Alliance

What did they find?

  • There are 196 male lions, 330 females, 140 teenagers (called sub-adults), and 4 225 cubs. 
  • The lion population has grown by 217 since the last big count in 2020, which is awesome news for these endangered animals. 
  • The very first lion census happened way back in 1936, and since then, the numbers have been going up and up, thanks to lots of hard work to protect them.
International Big Cat Alliance

Why is this important?

The increase in the Asiatic lion population is a testament to the effectiveness of conservation programs and the dedication of forest officials and communities. It also emphasizes the need for continued efforts to protect wildlife habitats and promote human-wildlife coexistence. As the lion population grows, it’s essential to address challenges such as habitat expansion and potential conflicts with human settlements.

Also Watch full video Interesting Facts About Lions

The Gruffalo Is Back with a New Story After 20 Years

The Gruffalo-the big, scary but lovable monster with knobbly knees and a poisonous wart on his nose-is coming back! Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the amazing team who created the original Gruffalo books, are making a brand-new story that will be out in September 2026. The Gruffalo first appeared over 20 years ago and became one of the most popular children’s books ever, loved by millions of children around the world.

Subscribe To Children’s Newspaper Click here.

Now, Julia Donaldson is writing about a new adventure for the Gruffalo and his friends, inspired by a reading campaign that helped children enjoy stories even more. Axel Scheffler is already drawing incredible pictures for the new book, and the story promises to be just as fun and exciting as the old ones. The original Gruffalo story is about a clever little mouse who tricks big animals in the forest by pretending to be friends with the scary Gruffalo. The new book will also help encourage children everywhere to love reading and storytelling, with support from charities that want to make reading fun for everyone.

Get Know more about Mammal, Buy This Mammals Flashcards.

Turtles Takeover: Recording Nesting In Odisha

Imagine a beach in India where hundreds of thousands of sea turtles are throwing a massive egg-laying party! That’s what’s happening right now in Odisha, India. Over 6.82 lakh Olive Ridley sea turtles have waddled ashore to lay their eggs – that’s a new record! They’re all gathering at Rushikulya river mouth, Gahirmatha beach and Devi river mouth.

Subscribe To Children’s Newspaper Click here.

Credit: x.com (@ParveenKaswan)

They call this event “arribada,” which means “arrival” in Spanish, and it’s a total turtle takeover! These Olive Ridley turtles are the smallest sea turtles around, and they’re super busy digging nests with their back flippers. Each mama turtle lays about 50-100 eggs, buries them in the sand, and then heads back out to sea. Now, here’s the cool part: those eggs chill out under the sand for about 45-55 days, like they’re on a mini-vacation. 

Get Know more about Mammal, Buy This Mammals Flashcards.

Then, BAM! They hatch, and tons of tiny baby turtles start crawling towards the ocean. It’s like a turtle baby rush hour! Sometimes, these turtles skip a year of nesting at the beach, and scientists aren’t exactly sure why. It could be weather stuff or other mysterious reasons. But don’t worry, there are awesome people helping these turtles out! They’re protecting the beaches, keeping lights dim so the turtles don’t get confused, and making sure no one’s fishing too close to the nesting site. There’s even a special operation called “Operation Olivia” using drones and boats to keep the turtles safe. How cool is that?

Also Watch full video Fascinating Facts About Marine Turtles

India’s Roaring Tigers: A Big Triumph for Animal Conservation

Remember when we thought tigers in India might disappear forever? However, India has done an amazing job of protecting its national animal ! A brand new study in a super-important science magazine called ‘Science’ tells a different story – a story of amazing tiger recovery!

India is now the proud home to the largest numbers of tigers anywhere in the world. . In just ten years, the tiger population in India has doubled to more than 3,600. More than 75% of the world’s striped big cats now live in India The tigers live in an area of 138,200 sq km.  Over the past twenty years, India’s tiger numbers have grown by a whopping 30%!  That’s like adding 30 new tigers for every 100 that were already there!  They’re now roaming across a huge area, bigger than ever before.

Subscribe To Children’s Newspaper Click here.

Image Credit: weather.com

The secret to India’s tiger success:

Safe Homes:  India has created special tiger reserves, like national parks, where humans don’t disturb the tigers. These are like tiger mansions!

Connecting the Dots:  Imagine stepping stones across a river.  These “stepping stones” for tigers are called corridors. They link the tiger reserves, allowing tigers to roam freely and find new homes.

Helping Hands:  When local communities are involved in protecting tigers, it makes a big difference.  When people understand how important tigers are, they help keep them safe from poachers (people who hunt animals illegally).

Sharing the Land:  In some areas, tigers and people share the land.  It’s like having a friendly neighbour!  As long as everyone respects each other, it can work.

Get Know more about Mammal, Buy This Mammals Flashcards.

India’s success story shows us that even in a crowded world, humans and animals can live together.  It proves that when we care for our planet and work together, amazing things can happen.  So, next time you see a picture of a tiger, remember this incredible comeback story and how India is helping these magnificent animals roar back to life!

Did You Know?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies tigers an endangered species. An endangered animal is one that’s at very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Also Watch full video Tiger Is The Largest Wild Cat In The World