Into the Wild with CWS

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October at CWS was a month of science, celebration, and new milestones.

As we marked Save the Frogs Day this month, we were reminded of the delicate balance that sustains life in the wild, and the urgency of protecting even the smallest species that play vital roles in our ecosystems. This month, our latest publication led by doctoral fellow, Simran Prasad, made waves globally with new scientific insights and extensive media attention, while CWS scientists represented India at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, sharing knowledge and building collaborations on a global stage.

In this edition of Into the Wild, we bring you stories of discovery, recognition, and the people whose dedication and curiosity continue to drive our mission forward.

Click here and catch up on inspiring news from across our programs

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Through the month of November, our teams found themselves participating in global forums, strengthening partnerships across India, and engaging communities through events rooted in music, education, and collective action. From international conversations on leadership and conflict, to regional conclaves shaping the future of government schools, to workshops and symposiums that deepened scientific knowledge, this month reminded us of how diverse voices and disciplines come together to advance our mission.

In this edition of Into the Wild , we bring you stories of fieldwork, learning, and leadership, from CWS scientists presenting cutting-edge research, to long-time supporters raising their voices for wildlife, to our educators inspiring the next generation of conservationists.

Click here and catch up on inspiring news from across our programs

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As we share our final newsletter of 2025, we find ourselves reflecting on a year that has been both exciting and deeply meaningful for all of us at CWS. This year was shaped by important milestones and steady progress across our programmes, from strengthening leadership within our teams, to expanding the reach and impact of our science, and deepening our engagement with communities across landscapes.

In this edition of Into the Wild , we bring you stories of fieldwork, learning, and leadership, and as we wrap up the year, this edition captures the people, ideas, and milestones that defined the last month of this year for us.

Click here and catch up on inspiring news from across our programs

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As the new year gathered momentum, January saw our teams deepening scientific research, strengthening our conservation initiatives, and laying the groundwork for the months ahead. Across landscapes and classrooms, we continued translating science into action. We also paused to celebrate the life of Dr. Madhav Gadgil, whose voice and vision have been instrumental in shaping conservation in India. As 2026 unfolds, we look forward to sharing much more from across our landscapes, programs, and people.

In this edition of Into the Wild, we bring you updates from the field, highlights from a recent publication and media coverage, and early insights into how the year ahead is taking shape.

Click here and catch up on inspiring news from across our programs

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Dear First name / friend,

While research and fieldwork continued steadily through the month of February, it also created space for deeper academic engagement, with admissions for our 2026 doctoral program commencing. Across teams, we remain committed to building a culture rooted in scientific rigor, open dialogue, and shared learning—extending that spirit not only within CWS, but to our wider community of supporters through our Wildlife Chronicles public lecture series.

February also marked Pangolin Day, a reminder of the quieter conservation crises unfolding across India’s forests. In this edition of Into the Wild, alongside updates from our Bengaluru office and field programs, we share a special pangolin comic that brings attention to the world’s most trafficked mammal and the urgent need to address wildlife hunting and trade. As always, we invite you to stay curious, stay engaged, and stand with us in strengthening science-led conservation in the months ahead.

Click here and catch up on inspiring news from across our programs

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March 2026 was a month of milestones at CWS. We came together to celebrate World Wildlife Day, reflecting on the importance of protecting India’s rich biodiversity and the communities that coexist with it. This month also brought us a moment of immense pride, as Dr. Krithi K. Karanth was named the first Asian recipient of the Esmond B. Martin Prize from the Royal Geographical Society.

In this edition of Into the Wild, we share highlights from our latest publications and updates from the field along with recent media coverage that amplifies our work. We also bring you the wonderful news of another successful PhD defense by one of our Post Doctoral Fellows, Dr. Simran Prasad, continuing a strong run of academic achievements at CWS. Dr. Simran is now the second student from our first official cohort of Doctoral Fellows to defend her PhD!

Click here and catch up on inspiring news from across our programs

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April proved to be a month of significant milestones at CWS. This month brought distinguished recognition for Dr. Krithi K. Karanth, CEO of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, who was awarded the 2026 Esmond B. Martin Royal Geographical Society Prize in London, a moment we celebrated. We welcomed Dr. Rohit Chakravarty to our team as Principal Scientist and Faculty, who will lead and launch our exciting new bat program. This month, we also celebrate several internal promotions, new joinees to CWS.

In this edition of Into the Wild, we share four new publications from the CWS team, complemented by our latest Wild Science blogs that bring these findings to life in accessible, engaging summaries. Read on for a look at our work and the people driving science and conservation forward!

Click here and catch up on inspiring news from across our programs

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We are excited to announce the launch of the Wild Incubator Research Program by the Centre for Wildlife Studies, in collaboration with the VM Salgaocar Corporation Pvt. Ltd. This program is designed to support innovative, applied wildlife research initiatives addressing critical conservation challenges in the Western Ghats, with a particular focus on Goa.

The Western Ghats is an important biodiversity hotspot. Yet, the region faces increasing conservation challenges that require science-driven solutions. While research has increased our understanding of biodiversity in the region, there is a need for measurable on-ground conservation action.

The Wild Incubator Research Program aims to bridge this gap by supporting organizations working in the field of wildlife conservation, by providing support for projects that demonstrate feasibility, conservation relevance, and long-term sustainability.

Our focus areas include:

1. Applied, solution-oriented research with demonstrable conservation outcomes

2. Endemic species conservation relevance in Western Ghats

3. Habitat protection

4. Wildlife monitoring

5. Species conservation

6. Human–wildlife coexistence

7. Community-based conservation initiatives

The program will support studies on endemic species of conservation significance in the Western Ghats, including but not limited to the Slender Loris, Mugger Crocodile, and King Cobra.

This program will support up to three conservation projects, with a grant of ₹10,00,000 each.

Selected projects will receive:

1. Scientific mentorship and technical guidance from the CWS and its partners.

2. Support for project implementation and development.

3. Ongoing engagement to strengthen conservation outcomes and scalability.

Applications will undergo a transparent and merit-based evaluation process, including proposal screening, expert review, and jury evaluation. If your organization is working on innovative wildlife research with direct conservation relevance, we encourage you to apply and be part of this initiative. To learn more about the program and application process, click the link below or visit our website.

CLICK TO APPLY

Application Deadline: 20th June 2026

If you have any questions about the program, please write to us at [email protected]

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In this edition of Into the Wild, we bring you exciting news from May as we celebrate some big milestones for all of us at CWS. Dr. Krithi K. Karanth, CEO of CWS, has been named the 2026 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, an honor awarded to only 15 individuals and two teams globally since 2011.

Over the last eleven months, Dr. Karanth and CWS have received two other major recognitions: Dr. Karanth became the first Asian recipient of the 2026 Esmond B. Martin Royal Geographical Society Prize, while CWS became the first wildlife organisation to receive the 2025 John P. McNulty Prize.

This month we are excited to share a new film by Amazon on our Wild Carbon program, highlighting our efforts toward ecological restoration and climate-resilient livelihoods. In this edition we also announce the launch of our Wild Incubator Research Program 2026, which will provide up to three research grants of ₹10,00,000 each to support conservation projects in the Western Ghats.

Click here and catch up on inspiring news from across our programs