r/IndianwildlifeHub

I live in Gurgaon, India. What is this snake that I found? FYI, it was found in the outside bathroom, so I just left the door open.

F2, one of the resident tigresses of Umred Karhandla Gothangaon Wildlife Sanctuary, pauses for a moment while scent-marking her territory during the golden hour.

Territory marking is a vital part of a tiger’s life. By spraying urine, rubbing scent glands, and leaving scratch marks, tigers create a chemical map that can persist for days or even weeks. These scent signals communicate identity, reproductive status, and territorial boundaries, helping neighbouring tigers avoid unnecessary conflict while advertising their presence to potential mates.

Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, Umred Gothangaon is a beautiful reserve of lakes, bamboo forests and mixed woodland. Its varied terrain and rich prey base make it an excellent place to witness authentic tiger behaviour away from the crowds.

Photographed in February 2026 using a Sony A7III with 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 GOSS

ISO 5000 | 200mm | 0ev | f5.6 | 1/200s

River Terns during breeding season are almost impossible to stop watching.
I spent the morning watching a breeding colony of River Terns (Sterna aurantia) on Bhadra Lake.
For the adults, the routine never seemed to stop. Leave the island. Hunt. Return. Feed the chicks. Repeat.
The rocky islands scattered across Bhadra Lake may look barren, but they're carefully chosen nesting sites. Surrounded by water, they offer some protection from ground predators. Even so, breeding success depends on stable water levels, healthy fish populations and minimal disturbance during the nesting season.

River Terns fly low over the water, constantly scanning for movement beneath the surface. Every plunge is a calculated gamble, and during the breeding season, every attempt matters.

Elegant in flight and unmistakable with its bright orange-red bill and black cap, the River Tern is one of India's few freshwater terns.
Unlike many of its relatives that spend their lives along coastlines, this species depends on healthy inland rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

River Terns rarely wait for prey to come to them.
Instead, they patrol continuously over the water, using exceptional eyesight to locate fish just beneath the surface before making a rapid dive.

River Terns nest together on exposed islands, where dozens of breeding pairs raise their young side by side.
The colony offers many eyes to detect danger, but every pair still has to hunt, feed and protect its own chicks.

After each hunting trip, the adults return to the colony where hungry chicks are waiting.
During breeding season, these flights between lake and nest are repeated countless times every day.

Freshly hatched chicks are completely dependent on their parents. Their mottled down provides excellent camouflage among the rocks, while a constant supply of fish fuels the rapid growth they'll need before taking their first flight.

Watching this colony was a reminder that behind every fledgling is countless hours of hunting, vigilance and parental care.

Hello reader,

I am writing to seek the community's guidance and assistance for 2 precious Indian Stone Curlew chicks.

Location: Lucknow.

Date Eggs Found: May 23, 2026

Date Chicks Hatched: June 12 and June 13, 2026

My friend had found 2 eggs laying abandoned for 2 days in the locality. They were brought in and incubated at home out of compassion to save them and give them a chance at life. The eggs successfully hatched in June, and my friend has been caring for the two chicks since then.

We have now identified they are Indian Stone-curlews (Thick-knees) bird chicks. Understanding that these are protected native wildlife under the Wildlife Protection Act, and knowing they require specialized professional care to learn how to forage and survive in the wild, I am looking to seek guidance for the right next step.

I had reached out to Lucknow Zoo in hopes of finding anyone working on conservation efforts, but no response and some vets even advised not to hand them to zoo, stating that their care and maintenance is not up to the mark.

PLEASE PLEASE, If anyone has any suggestions or knows how to navigate to a right person or body which can help these 2 chicks survive well and live a good life, it would be really appreciated. I really need to find them as these birds do not belong behind closed walls. They are meant to be free but we cannot just set them free. We are doing whatever we can through the Internet knowledge and Vet advice.

Thank You. Please reach out to me. Please.