Mongabay’s What-To-Watch list for February 2022

In January, Mongabay videos explored agroforestry, sustainable solutions, a conservation project that affects local population, wildlife in the city, and more.
Watch how a new species of penguins were discovered in Antarctica, and what an African civet does in its natural habitat.
Get a peak into the various segments of the environment across the globe. Add these videos to your watchlist for the month and watch them for free on YouTube.

In one of India’s most populated urban regions, Delhi, a study recorded 170 species of birds in the city’s ponds. Mongabay-India made a video that shows why we shouldn’t ignore small urban wetlands. At a time when thousands are endangered, species new to science are still being discovered. Watch a video of the newly discovered gentoo penguins in the Antarctic peninsula.

Farmers across the world are discovering the benefits of agroecology. In Brazilian Cerrado, cotton farmers have started practising a sustainable farming approach that works with nature. And in Madagascar, a new agroecological technique of vanilla farming that aims to stop deforestation.

Mongabay-India explored the matter of coexisting with the wild, both in cities and in vast farms. In Assam’s farms, farmers have started to help increase the barn owl population, which asures them free pest control. Meanwhile, in Bengaluru city, a recent study recorded 33 species of snakes.

Researchers discovered a new colony of penguins in Antarctica

Researchers have discovered a new colony of gentoo penguins in Antarctica previously unknown to science. The colony was found on Andersson Island on the east side of the Antarctic Peninsula, which is the furthest south the species has ever been found in that region. As temperatures get warmer and ice melts at record rates due to climate change, the penguins have found new habitable locations.

Wildlife law protects animals but leaves the Kalandar tribe in the fray

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 made put a ban on the street shows with sloth bears. As a result, the livelihood of communities that earned a living from public performances with live animals took a hit. The Kalandar community was one such community that had to surrender its bears to the government. While some received help and alternative jobs, several members of the community are still trying to find a footing to earn a steady income.

FARMERS TURN TO AGROFORESTRY

Agroecological cotton is helping traditional communities in the Cerrado

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 46 cotton-farming families in Brazil’s Minas Gerais began practicing agroecology, a sustainable farming approach that works with nature. Working with a sustainable farming NGO, the farmers plant secondary and tertiary fruit and vegetable crops alongside their primary cotton crops, and eschew chemical fertilizers and pesticides in favor of organic alternatives.

Vanilla farming aims to stop deforestation in Madagascar

Madagascar is the world’s biggest producer of vanilla, with the plant grown in agroforestry systems established in forests or on fallow lands. Conservationist Andriamanana Rabearivelo introduced a new technique of vanilla cultivation with promising early results. His goal is to develop new agricultural methods to help the impoverished rural community near his farm in eastern Madagascar improve its conditions so it can reduce its reliance on the area’s natural forests.

WILDLIFE IN CITIES

Birds in Delhi ponds remind us why we should not ignore small urban wetlands

A study recorded about 170 bird species in Delhi’s ponds amidst housing colonies, inside parks, next to industry, and other urban sites. Urban ecology studies and conservation measures could help Indian cities expand while losing the least amount of habitats and wildlife.

Snakes living with humans in a growing Bengaluru city

A recent study recorded 33 species of snakes inside Bengaluru city. Species such as Russell’s viper have become common while previously common species such as Indian wolf snake have become uncommon to spot.

Read more: Snakes in Bengaluru city

CONSERVATION AND THE INDIGENOUS

Herders evicted from Mau forest protected area, Kenya

Two years ago, Kenyan authorities evicted 30,000 people from their homes in the Maasai Mau section of the Mau Forest. The evictees – many of whom had been living here for 20 years or more – say they have been stripped of land they paid for and have nowhere else to go. With few options to relocate, evicted smallholders and others continue to enter the forest in search of grazing and fuel.

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

Community-led solar power project gives hope to an Amazonian village

A village on the banks of Brazil’s Negro River is running 132 solar panels as part of a pilot project aimed at bringing clean energy and economic opportunity to remote communities in the Amazon. The scheme promises to bring reliable energy to the community of Santa Helena do Inglês, in northern Amazonas state, addressing frequent power cuts that have long plagued the remote village and thwarted efforts to develop sustainable income streams.

Farmers befriend barn owls for natural rodent control in Assam

Agricultural scientists in Assam are helping farmers to conserve and increase the number of barn owls with the help of artificial nest boxes. Barn owls are prolific hunters. They are known as “farmers’ friends” as they feed on over 20 small mammal species worldwide including rodents, acting as natural pest control. This in turn will help farmers reduce dependence on chemicals and encourage organic farming.

CANDID ANIMAL CAM

It’s not a cat, it’s the African civet | Candid Animal Cam

Join your host, Romi Castagnino, and learn all about African civets. You’ll also get to see some awesome footage of this wild animal caught on camera trap.