The world has been encountering a COVID-19 pandemic since late 2019. The world’s people have also witnessed the free movement of wildlife, even in many urban areas in some countries during the imposed lockdown. We conducted research on the birds in the urban landscape of Jamalpur Sadar upazila from March 2020 to October 2020 during this pandemic situation. A total of 134 species of birds with 4338 individuals were recorded during the study period. The number of resident bird species was the maximum (115 species, 85.82%) compared to migrants. The highest number of birds was observed (120 species, 89.55%) and counted 2278 individual birds 52.51%) in the summer season. It was observed that the highest diversity of birds (89 species, 65.92%) was in March. The tree was the most (94 species, n = 2502) used microhabitat by birds in the study area. Among all birds, Pycnonotus cafer was the most abundant bird species with the highest relative abundance (6.11%). Some bird species (e.g. Metopidius indicus, Anastomus oscitans, Amaurornis phoenicurus, Streptopelia tranquebarica, Lonchura malacca) were frequently observed in the urban landscape of the study area during the pandemic. Proper management and awareness creation are essential for the conservation of the bird species in this area. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 30(2): 261-274, 2021 (July)

The species diversity and abundance of wildlife are the important indicators of a healthy ecosystem. A survey-based scientific study on species diversity, abundance and status of vertebrate wildlife was conducted from May 2015 to April 2016 at Sreepur upazila, Magura, Bangladesh. A total of 123 species of vertebrate wildlife was recorded during the 12 months of study period. Among them, eight species (6.5%) were amphibians, 13 (10.57%) reptiles, 84 (68.29%) birds and 18 species (14.64%) were mammals. Out of 84 species of birds, 45 (53.57%) were passerines and 39 (46.43%) non-passerines. Most of the observed birds (72 species, 85.72%) were resident and the rest 12 species (14.28%) were migratory. The highest number of wildlife species was observed in winter (108 species, 87.80%), particularly in December (62 species, 50.40%). The lowest number of species was recorded in June (33 species, 26.83%). Out of 123 species of vertebrate wildlife, three (2.44%) were very common, nine (7.32%) common, 26 (21.14%) fairly common and 85 (69.1%) were common. Of the total species, 117 (95.12%) species were least concern, five (4.06%) near threatened and one (0.81%) was endangered according to IUCN Bangladesh 2015. Implementation of conservation and management plan is required to save the wildlife in the study area. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 51-62

Nowadays urbanization continues, and poses a serious threat to wildlife globally. A survey-based study on wildlife was conducted for three years from March 2017 to February 2020 in Dhaka University campus. Data was collected through direct visual encounter observations. A total of 94 species of wildlife under 20 orders and 52 families were observed. Of the documented wildlife, 5 (5.32%) species belongs to amphibians, 10 (10.64%) reptiles, 70 (74.47%) birds and 9 (9.57%) mammals. The highest species richness (72, 76.60%) was observed in the third year (March 2019 to February 2020), particularly in winter season. Although the lowest richness was (63, 67.02%) found in the first year (March 2017 to February 2018), but the evenness was the highest this year, particularly in summer season. We counted the highest number of individuals (n=5227, 35.73%) in the first year (March 2017 to February 2018) but these counts have gradually decreased with the lowest in the third year (March 2019 to February 2020). Among 94 species, 44 species (46.80%) were very common, 3 (3.19%) common, 17(18.09%) uncommon and 30 (31.91%) were few. Duttaphrynus melanostictus was the most abundant (66.89%) among amphibians, Hemidactylus frenatus (40.82%) for reptiles, Psittacula krameri (18.73%) for birds and Mus musculus (28.68%) for mammals. Rampant human movements and sound pollution were frequent inside the campus that might affect wildlife. Therefore, long-term systematic monitoring is necessary to understand the species diversity and population trend of wildlife in the campus. Moreover, this baseline information may help urban policymakers to take proper management measures for the protection of wildlife in the study area. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 30(3 CSI): 429-442, 2022 (June)

A yearlong scientific study was conducted using direct field observation technique from November 2020 to October 2021 to investigate community structure, habitat preference, and conservation concerns of birds in the urban setting of Faridpur Sadar Upazila. A total of 168 species under 18 orders and 56 families were recorded and 6,551 individual of birds were counted. The order Passeriformes had the highest species richness (71 species, 42.26%) and abundance (n=3,831, 58.48%). Among the bird species, 48 species (29.58%) were migratory and the rest were resident. During the winter season, the highest number of bird species (156 species, 92.85%) and individuals (n= 2,960, 45.18%) were observed. The overall comparison of species richness and abundance for three seasons were significant. Pair-wise one-way ANOVA for species richness and abundance of birds shows significant differences between winter-rainy and summer-winter seasons.The diversity index showed the highest value in winter season. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) test showed a significant difference in birds communities among three-season. Among the 10 types of microhabitats surveyed, trees were the most used by the bird species (103 species, 61.31%) The highest 69 species (41.07%) were very common according to the observation status. The most abundant bird was Pycnonotus cafer with the highest relative abundance (5.15%). Bird hunting, trade, and habitat loss were the major threats for the survival of bird community in this area. Therefore, immediate initiatives are needed to implement for the conservation of bird and their habitats. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 31(2): 343-360, 2022 (July)

A study on diversity, status, and habitat preference of avifauna was conducted from November 2017 to October 2018 in Magura Sadar upazila, Magura. Data was collected through direct field observations using line-transect method. Field surveys were made for three days per month in both rural and urban sites. A total of 140 species of birds belonged to 18 orders and 48 families were reported. Among the total species, 55% (77 species) were non-passerines and 45% (63 species) passerines with the highest individuals were counted under order Passeriformes. Resident bird species were dominant (106 species, 75.71%) over migratory (34 species, 24.28%) species. Species richness was the highest in the rural areas (124 species, 88.57%) and occurrence was the highest in winter season (97 species, 69.29%). The maximum species were recorded from trees (87 species, 62.14%) as preferred habitat. In this study, in total 4,060 individuals of birds were counted and among them, 51.55% (n=2093) were observed in the rural areas and 48.45% (n=1967) were in the urban areas. The highest number of birds was found in December (10.34%, n=432) and seasonal abundance was the highest in winter (40.15%, n=1630). Abundance was the highest for Common Myna (5.76%, n=234) among all recorded species. Diversity indices showed that the bird species were the most diverse in the rural areas in the winter season and in July. Habitat diversity indices were the highest for trees and birds used different types of habitats at different times for roosting, breeding and feeding. Regarding the observation status, 29.28% species was very common, 4.28% common, 31.42% fairly common, and 35% were few. This baseline data indicate that this study site is significant from the ecological and conservation point of views. Therefore, further research is necessary to understand how this avian diversity is maintained in this ecological setting. Bangladesh J. Zool. 48(2): 441-456, 2020

To scrutinize the present status of birds in a sub-tropical urban green space, a research work was conducted in Mymenshing City Corporation from November 2018 to October 2019 by direct field observations. Three green spaces were selected in the study area where in total 180 species of birds with 7,079 individuals were documented. Passeriformes had the highest species richness (76 species, 42.22%) and abundance (n = 4174, 58.96%). Bangladesh Agricultural University Campus Area (Site A) showed the highest diversity index value with the highest species richness (170 species, 94.44%) and abundance (n = 3261, 46.06%). Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) test showed a significant difference in bird communities among three study sites. Cluster analysis showed that fallow land and agricultural land formed a large cluster which further formed another cluster with grassland, water-body, tree and urban settlements. Species richness and abundance across the seasons and study sites varied significantly. The highest avian diversity and abundance were observed in winter, particularly in January. Species richness and abundance for nine microhabitats showed significant variations where tree was mostly used microhabitat. The avian community of urban settlements and agricultural lands were highly correlated. These urban green spaces support 48 (26.67%) migratory birds in the study area. Pycnonotus cafér had the highest relative abundance (4.28%), Maximum observed bird species as the least concern and five species were threatened according to the national conservation status. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2022, 8(2): 37-50

Abstract. Jaman MF, Rabbe MF, Alam MM, Shome AR, Hossain MA, Sarker MAR. 2020. Students’ perceptions on snake in Northwestern Bangladesh. Asian J Ethnobiol 21: 62-69. Human-snake interaction has an ancestral history with different outcomes at different times. This study was done to assess the student's perceptions of snakes and current superstitions practiced in some areas of northwestern Bangladesh. We interviewed 348 students from 7 educational institutions under 3 districts from January 2019 to April 2019. We asked dichotomous (yes-no) question to know perceptions about snakes and variation among superstitions of the students. We found significant variation in responses with respect to the demographic status of the respondents. Religion and education were the most influencing factors affecting the results of students’ perceptions. Among the total respondents, 329 (94.5%) had seen snakes, 182 (52.3%) considered snake as a notorious animal, 224 (64.4%) considered snakes as an economically harmful animal, 155 (44.5%) think killing snake gives a good feeling, 313 (90%) believe that snakes attack humans, 321 (92.2%) students have seen others killing snakes and 127 (36.5%) had killed snakes themselves. Of the five superstitions, “snake can drink milk” was the topmost statement believed by 293 (84.2%) students. Due to these negative attitudes and misconceptions, we assume that snakes are regularly killed and there is a potential risk for population decline.

Humans have been depending on wild animals from ancient times for food, medicine, economy, tools, and others. Santal and Oraon are two of the indigenous communities present in the Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. They practice wildlife hunting as part of their traditions. We investigated the wildlife hunting practice of these indigenous communities using a closed-ended questionnaire survey.  We interviewed 100 households of both communities from four villages. The study indicated that 76% of respondents hunted (88% Santal and 67% Oraon); and they usually hunt mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, of which the bird is the most preferred (73%) and snake the least (1%). The response of hunting among the two communities significantly differed for tortoise, bird, rabbit, mongoose, jackal, and the Jungle Cat. Eighteen sets of animal taxa were significantly correlated indicating that households exercised preferences in terms of prey. The result also showed that only 14% of Santal and 7% of Oraon were familiar with the Bangladesh Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012.  Although the impact of wildlife hunting of these indigenous groups is still ambiguous, the present study provides a preliminary database of hunting practices of these communities for future conservation management.