Urjit Bhatt

#PhDDone Thrilled to share that I've completed my PhD defense! 🎓Grateful for the support from @wii_india, @BS_ADHIKARI, @Himalayanwolf1, and many others. ✨Along the way, I've contributed various publications, blogs, and news articles.📚🔍Here's a thread highlighting each one:

Third Transboundary Meeting on small wild cats conservation involving officials and conservation partners from Bhutan, India and Nepal is being hosted by the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve from 12-13 March. An identification manual for small wild cats of Dudhwa landscape prepared by @WWFINDIA and project partners was also presented to participants @ntca_india @moefcc @DudhwaTR @UpforestUp @ArunForests @MOFENepal @DNPWC_Nepal @BhutanForest @UNDP_India @wii_india @SAWENsec @pakke_tiger The three countries have committed to form a network group for working together on a 'situation analysis assessment' of small wild cats and prioritizing conservation actions.

A study using 15+ years of camera trap data across Borneo reveals new insights into clouded leopard residence time. Residence time indicates how long an individual stays in a space (e.g., habitat). The longest residence times were 4.47 to 6.51 years.

I presented our research at the Gordon Research Conference on Predator–Prey Interactions in Lucca, Italy 🇮🇹, where we examined how temporal niche partitioning and moonlight influence mammal coexistence in tropical forests. @moefcc @wii_india @SACONCoimbatore @Himalayanwolf1

Camera-trap insights from the Trans-Himalayan Spiti reveal adaptive space–time strategies among snow leopards, wolves, and foxes, enabling their coexistence in human-influenced landscapes. However, free-ranging dogs—an anthropogenically subsidised predator—stand out as a growing conservation concern due to their potential impacts on native carnivores and ecological dynamics. 🔗 Read the study: nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.10… @serbonline @Himalayanwolf1 @wii_india @GobindsagarBha1 @rameshpandeyifs @AcSIR_India

Come check out our ePresentation at British Ecological Society Annual Meeting 2025. - via #Whova event app

Scientific consultation to firm up the field monitoring protocol for assessment of small wild cats @moefcc @wii_india @WWFINDIA @IBCA_official @GGSIPUIndia @UNDP_India @theGEF @ntca_india @DudhwaTR @pakke_tiger

India’s megafishes are the most studied yet least protected. Megamammals & reptiles are the reverse. Our new Biological Conservation paper uses an innovative text-mining approach revealing how research, WLPA protection & IUCN priorities misalign. Link: rb.gy/6qqzfz

Congratulations to Dr Urjit Bhatt for securing Second Place in the category for his poster on “Developing a Conservation Action Plan Framework for Elusive Wild Felids”. The work was lead by Dr. Salvador Lyngdoh, Scientist E @wii_india @moefcc @SACONCoimbatore @Unitedfortigers @GobindsagarBha1 @rameshpandeyifs @Himalayanwolf1 @RuchiBadola2 @SPYadavIFS @wildwithwolves #ars2025

Release of Publications : The report titled “Basic Study Design for Biodiversity Assessment of Himachal Pradesh” is a comprehensive assessment of 7 major protected areas in Himachal Pradesh, namely, Simbalwada, Churdhar, Dhauladhar, Pin valley, Chandratal, Shimla Catchment and Kibber Wildlife sanctuary along elevational gradient. The study provides baseline assessment of various species, new records and insights on monitoring stream health. The study provides a a detailed assessment of mammals, birds, fish and amphibians along with a a quantitative assessment of species. @moefcc @wii_india @SACONCoimbatore @GobindsagarBha1 @RuchiBadola2 @BS_ADHIKARI @Himalayanwolf1 #ars2025

Poster Presentation by Urjit Bhatt: Developing a Conservation Action Plan Framework for elusive small and medium wild felids. Urjit Bhatt presents “Developing a Conservation Action Plan Framework for Elusive Small and Medium Wild Felids” — integrating science, policy, and community action for India’s caracal, fishing cat, and clouded leopard. Part of the GOI–UNDP–GEF-7 project “Strengthening Conservation and Resilience of Wild Cat Landscapes.” @urjit_bhatt @Himalayanwolf1 @Unitedfortigers @moefcc @wii_india @SACONCoimbatore @GobindsagarBha1 @RuchiBadola2 #ARS2025

The #CloudedLeopard’s survival in NE India depends on fragile forest linkages. Our study models habitat & connectivity of the vulnerable #CloudedLeopard in NE India. 73, 449 sq. km of landsacpe of the region offers moderately to highly suitable habitat. 30 core habitats, 64 linkages, & key pinch-points identified—vital for conservation action. Protecting corridors like Dehing–Patkai to Fakim & Namdapha to Intanki is critical. nature.com/articles/s4159… @ntca_india @moefcc @IBCA_official @wii_india @wildwithwolves @bhlab_india @iccon_india @jwls_in @SciReports @bhlab_india @thetreebhoovana @DanielMira47627 @ghade_rameshwar @azamkhan651612 @gopigv @GobindsagarBha1 @rameshpandeyifs @SPYadavIFS

Our study models habitat & connectivity of the vulnerable #CloudedLeopard in NE India. Only ~7% of the region offers highly suitable habitat. 30 core habitats, 64 linkages, & key pinch-points identified—vital for conservation action. #ConservationScience @ntca_india @IBCA_official @wii_india @iccon_india @jwls_in @SciReports @bhlab_india @thetreebhoovana @DanielMira47627 @ghade_rameshwar @azamkhan651612 @gopigv @GobindsagarBha1 @rameshpandeyifs @SPYadavIFS

Following the Great Indian Bustard in Maharashtra’s shrinking grasslands! Amid habitat loss, conservation efforts are racing against time to save this critically endangered icon. @MongabayIndia @wildwithwolves @randomcards @bhlab_india india.mongabay.com/2025/08/tracki… #Maharashtra

How do tigers adapt to human-dominated landscapes? Our GPS-telemetry study reveals life-stage-specific strategies: faster, nocturnal travel in risky zones & localized movements in forests. @bhlab_india @wii_india @thewild_dodo @paragnigam09 @otocolobus @ntca_india

Such unverified reporting can lead to distortion of public understanding and record of the species distribution.

A viral clip of a clouded leopard mother and her two cubs was wrongly reported as a new sighting from Northeast India by some media outlets and social media channels. @ShriShailesh reports. india.mongabay.com/2025/08/viral-…

Digital photography #cloudedleopardday #wildlife

Today is #CloudedLeopardDay! 🐆 Let’s shine a spotlight on these rare and beautiful cats that roam the forests of Southeast Asia. With their stunning cloud-patterned coats and incredible agility, clouded leopards are true wonders of the wild, yet they face threats from habitat loss and poaching. By raising awareness and supporting conservation efforts, we can help secure a future for these remarkable cats. Sharing this incredible camera trap photo of a clouded leopard, recently captured in Northeast India. Moments like these remind us why the clouded leopard is often called the ‘modern-day sabretooth’. Every voice matters, join me in celebrating and protecting amazing clouded leopards! Happy International Clouded Leopard Day #Conservation #WildlifeAwareness #CloudedLeopard #NortheastIndia @moefcc @wii_india @bhlab_india @GobindsagarBha1 @rameshpandeyifs @IBCA_official @SPYadavIFS @vrtiwari1

🌿 Aug 4 is #CloudedLeopardDay! This elusive cat has the longest canines (relative to skull size) of any living cat & climbs trees like a pro. #neofelisnebulosa #BIGCats @wii_india @GobindsagarBha1 @moefcc @IBCA_official @Unitedfortigers @PantheraCats @FelidaeFund

Honourable Minister for Environment Forests and Climate Change @byadavbjp Released on the occasion of #GlobalTigerDay, the NTCA–WII @ntca_india @wii_india report on “Small Cats in Tiger Landscapes of India” highlights the importance of conserving lesser-known carnivores. Aligned with the ethos of #ProjectTiger, this initiative underscores tigers as umbrella species safeguarding entire ecosystems @gobindsagarbha1 @vrtiwari1 @V_kolipakam @moefcc @MSTrIPES @SACONCoimbatore