A conference that delves into the science of wildlife ecology

The inaugural Indian Wildlife Ecology Conference 2024 was “ born from the collective aspiration of researchers and institutions in India to discuss the science of wildlife ecology, network and collaborate, and support the discipline’s growth.” as the website puts it. The three-day-long event, held at NCBS, Bengaluru, between June 14 –16, sought to be a platform “for the professional exchange of ideas and research findings, to encourage communication and collaborations across disciplines, and to promote professional growth and career development.” In keeping with this aim, the event saw several symposia, panel discussions and meetings occur, bringing together researchers in Indian wildlife ecology across taxa, landscapes, ecosystems, and disciplines. A panel discussion on AI and wildlife “AI is everywhere.infiltrating our lives, whether we like it or not,” says scientist and social impact partitioner Sarika Khanwilkar. “I often wonder about where technology stops and we enter the human domain,” says Madhusudan, while Alok believes that while AI has its uses, it cannot be a solution for everything. In fact, even studying these animals was a task, says academician Karishma Sharma.“It does not readily come out, and it has been a real pain to actually spot in the grassland for the past few days I have worked,” she says of this bird that faces severe habitat challenges, exacerbated by human activities like cattle overgrazing.