Innovation
distinguishes between a leader and a follower, whereas creativity could be a
pass time or hobby, but the best creativity is a result of a lot of hard work,
dedication, and inspiration. One and a half years ago, when I kick-started the
planning of digital science, mainly an Astronomy magazine, I got an
overwhelming response from science communities and astronomers societies.
Still, the project got delayed multiple times due to the inconsistent attitude
of our youth and Astronomers societies.
Finally, in February 2019,
on the eve of Valentine’s Day, we launched Scientia Pakistan magazine,
thematically based on “love for science.” A much-needed initiative in
Pakistan and for one year I, along with my team, mostly University students,
tried our best to provide equal opportunities to all the skilled science
writers and to those who are willing to pursue an off-beat career in science
journalism.
At times our stories caught the attention of international media and science communities like SETI Institute, Gulf News, and Khaleej Times, but we have had a hard time to convince our own media in Pakistan that science could be a genre in mainstream media. At its best, science writing is an emerging field of journalism worldwide that needs more than a desire to become a science writer. At present, we have been communication obstacles in Pakistan, the eroding truths in media, and misinformation in social media, as we have witnessed in ongoing Wuhan-virus-outbreak.
The situation is equally alarming as we may have such epidemic outbreaks or sort of natural disaster anytime in our country as well. We need skilled and super-intended science journalists and more science magazines as well as a science channel that broadcasts science news with all their authenticity.
We are striving for our
dream of the first Pakistani science channel, and we believe that an idea never
turns as reality so quickly, it takes sweat, determination, and a lot of hard
work, and we have trust in our instinct and pursuit.
On the 1st anniversary,
we are launching our special edition“Year in Review” in PDF format with a hope
that “as long as there is hope, there is joy in living. I want to say a humble
thank you to Yawar Hussain, Maham Maqsood, Abdullah Khan, Aniqa Mazhar, Mubaris
Bashir, and other team members who volunteered their precious time and energy
to this magazine.
If natural beauty is the crown of Earth, then biodiversity is the jewel in this crown. However, anthropogenic activities are continually decaying this jewel.
Markhor or Ibex is a unique wild species of goat family that inhabit the mountainous region of Central Asia, parts of Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. ‘Markhor’ is a name derived from the Persian language, which means the snake eater, therefore, their long twisted horns are often compared with snakes while its ability to climb steep hills defies gravity. However, despite its beauty and wild uniqueness, Markhor is one of the most threatened species in the world.
The primary reason for Markhor being endangered is because of hunting, either legal or largely illegal. Its horns are of extreme commercial value that is used to make medicines, while its leather is used to make expensive garments. Due to these reasons, the main predators of Markhor are humans, followed by natural ones like snow leopards, wolves, and eagles. Another reason is their vulnerability to natural disasters. The majority of the Markhor population is found in Pakistan. In fact, it is the national animal of the country. Therefore, a brief overview of Pakistan in relation to Markhor is essential. Pakistan is also currently involved in mitigating the threat of extinction and has employed some successful schemes for the conservation of these animals.
Pakistan is home to basically five subspecies of Markhor: Sulaimani Markhor, Astor Markhor, Kabul Markhor, Kashmiri Markhor, and Bukharan Markhor. Initially, according to the report of IUCN, these species were declared endangered in the ‘red list,’ and the main reason for the threat was hunting and poaching.
Pakistan is home to five subspecies of Markhor
In fact, this practice was so common that people from different areas would gather in Gilgit and Chitral to hunt these wild goats down in a hope to get its horns as a trophy, as the person to kill in the first attempt is awarded the goats’ horns, which has a fair, high price in the market. Other reasons include the pollution in areas that disturb their natural environment which consequently affect these wild goats. As a result, when IUCN issued its red list, there were only less than 2500 of these goats left in the world, among which only 275 were inhabiting Pakistan (according to wildlife report issued by KPK government).
However, steps undertaken by Pakistan in collaboration with Wildlife Conservation Society (WSC) in 1997 yielded positive results, and the population of Markhor has been increasing at a successful rate. According to one report in 2018, the population of Markhor in Pakistan is 3500. Some of the most effective measures which Pakistan took include controlled high priced trophy hunting, preservation of natural habitat, the establishment of local conservation committees, and training of locals that act as protectors of these animals against poaching and preventing unlawful activities.
Laws enacted at the national level include a high penalty of Rs. 3,500,000 while foreign hunter has to make the license of $ 6500 upon which they are only allowed to hunt aged animals that are unable to reproduce. Apart from WSC, there are various other organizations that are involved in the protection of Markhor. These include Pakistan Zoological Society, KPK Wildlife and Biodiversity, WWF, etc.
Markhor’s horns are highly prized in the markets
But conservation of these animals is difficult in war-torn areas like Afghanistan and the highly militarized border of Kashmir between Pakistan and India where cross border collaboration is often required. However, each country with Markhor population is involved in the endeavor to protect these unique wild animals from the grim fate of extinction like Northern White Rhinoceros or Pyrenean Ibex or many other animals that are already extinct due to anthropogenic activities. For instance, a survey was conducted in Tajikistan in 2017 by IUCN in collaboration with various NGOs to keep track of the Markhor population, and the report concluded that there is an increasing number of Markhor. Despite these efforts, it must be noted that Markhor is still an endangered species, and it will take more of these efforts to fully make Ibexes out of the red list for good.
It is now time that we realize that animals also form the critical building block of our lives. Apart from providing us with food and beautiful decoration pieces for our luxurious homes, they are an essential component of the circle of life, and if we continue to disturb this circle, then the day of our grim fate is not too far.
It is very rare that movies and novels depict a good animal theme and do full justice to it. With this month’s theme being on Wildlife, we would surely like to direct your attention to some of the best movies and books on animals, and we’re confident that you will agree with our choice.
My Family and
Other Animals, Gerald Durrell
This is
the narrative of British naturalist Gerald Durrell and his time spent on the
magical Greek island of Corfu when his family shifted there during his
childhood for a few years. He was an animal-lover and enthusiast from an early
age, trapping spiders and their babies in matchboxes to observe them and
keeping pet turtles and taking care of them. He used to spend his time in the
garden or greeneries of the island and spend hours on end observing the
animals, birds, or reptiles there. To his dismay, his siblings comprised of two
brothers; one interested in books and the other in guns, and a narcissistic
sister. Everyone loathed the creepy, crawly creatures Gerald bought home and
often scolded him on his weird tastes.
The book has been written in an extremely delightful
manner, with accurate and vivid descriptions from a keen observer of nature.
The narrative has been spiced up with dashes of humor here and there, like the
screams and cries of his family members upon finding insects or reptiles in
their personal spaces thanks to their younger brother and the exchange of
heated and cursed words that follow.
This is a very relaxing book indeed as it has a slow pace
and detailed description, immersing the reader into the world of Corfu. One
could read it for hours on end and be amused at the ongoings of the narrator’s
life and how well he has sewn his beastly anecdotes into a complete picture.
Watership Down, Richard Adams
This highly well-written piece of literature is a deep
comment on human activities and how they send the lives of animals into
complete turmoil. The story is about how a rabbit in a warren senses the
imminent danger his home faces and escapes with his comrades. Facing hardships
along the way, they remain steadfast. They come across other warrens, escape
dangers, and continuously struggle, but remain positive. The best part of the
book is the ending when they successfully build their dream warren at Watership
Down. The plot has many twists and turns, and it would not be just at all if
they were discussed here because then the book would not be fun to read anymore.
The main themes of this book are the continuous hardships
between tyranny and freedom and the decision taken to achieve peace and a
perfect society to live in. The plot has been portrayed brilliantly and keeps
the reader hooked till the end, tense about the future of the rabbits. If you
haven’t read this book yet, how can you call yourself an animal-lover?
Charlotte’s
Web, E. B. White
This cute children’s book about a little girl and her pet
piglet is, I am sure, a part of everyone’s bookshelf. The tragic fate of farm
animals has been highlighted in this book. Wilbur is a piglet too small for his
size, and the farmer plans to shoot him. His little daughter is adamant at the
treachery her father is about to inflict on a poor animal and raises her voice
for justice for the pig. Her father gives her a time limit to care for the pig
and see if she can fatten him up. It follows the beautiful descriptions of how
the girl lovingly raises the pig, feeding it with milk bottles and cuddling it.
The whole time she is worried about the fate of the pig.
Time passes, and the girl grows up, finding lesser time
for the pig and thus neglecting him. It is then that a spider who has witnessed
everything hatches a clever plan to make the pig famous and thus save his life.
This is a beautiful story describing the stress felt by
animals who know their fate and how humans are only interested in the meat and
money they make from them. Also, the concept that one animal species can indeed
help another of their animal family is illustrated in this book.
The Jungle Book
This epic tale of how a ‘man-cub’ ends up in the jungle and is raised by a pack of wolves is seriously one of the best movies enjoyed in childhood. How the animals lovingly raise the little boy Mowgli and consider him of his kin is quite heart-warming. But the terror of the jungle, Sher Khan the tiger sees Mowgli as a threat and plans to kill him.
Sher Khan had killed Mowgli’s parents in the past when he attacked the nearby jungle, and he hates man because of the ‘red flower,’ i.e., fire. There follows a chilling battle between the tiger and the man-cub, where both fight bravely until the tiger meets his demise, and the whole forest is on fire. Mowgli has saved the animals from the threat of Sher Khan but must decide between his jungle family or his village people.
The Lion King
Mufasa, King of the jungle, is blessed with a cub whom he names Simba and all the animals celebrate the arrival of the future lion king, except for Scar, Mufasa’s brother. He had planned to take the throne after his throne, but now Simba is the predecessor and is loathed by Scar from Day One.
Simba grows up to be an adventurous little cub, wishing
to follow his father across the kingdom on his errands. His father forbids him
to go to the Elephant Graveyard because of the hungry hyenas, but Scar lures
him into going there. Simba, along with his best friend Nala, ventures beyond
the limits and is encircled by a pack of hyenas who are about to eat them, but
Mufasa saves them at the last moment.
There follows a father-son lesson of the ‘circle of
life,’ which describes the delicate balance between prey and predators and
life, death, and decay. Scar plans the death of Mufasa, blames it on Simba, and
has him flee the forest and grabs the throne. Since he lets the hyenas hunt
freely, the balance is disturbed, and the kingdom is dilapidating. Meanwhile,
Simba makes friends with Timon and Pumba, who enjoy life with the motto of ‘Hakuna
Matata,’ meaning no worries. Nala escapes the kingdom, finds Simba, and
motivates him to come back, to which he refuses. Then Simba hears his father
talking to him from the skies and reminding him of his responsibility as king.
Their follows a blood-curdling confrontation with Scar, where Simba finds out
the truth of his father’s death and takes his revenge.
The best part of this movie is all the songs that are so
lively and engaging and give meaning to the film as well as its colorful and
realistic portrayal of life in an animal kingdom.
What are some of your favorite animal anecdotes and plots? Do share in the comment section below!
Corresponding to the theme of our wildlife edition, we decided to take a tour of the Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) that is located near Shakarparian National Park, Islamabad. Housing more than 1.4 million specimens, the museum features extensive collections of wildlife and nature reserves. Other than sections for the public, it also has labs for Taxidermy of animals and allows researchers to work on their projects. It is currently managed by Pakistan Science Foundation under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Our team was lucky enough to visit the museum and have an exclusive look at their collections for researchers. Mr. Muhammad Asif, who is an Associate Curator at the Zoological Sciences section, graciously gave us the tour of the entire museum. Following is our conversation and interview with him about PMNH.
Skeleton of blue whale displayed outside the museum
Team Scientia: We are thankful for giving your time, Sir. Shall we start the tour?
Mr. Asif (Tour Guide): Sure. So, most of the things here in the museum are related to mammals, specifically their taxonomy. There is a researcher here for every discipline and tasked with looking into the matters related to their field.
Here, we have our research block, which includes our reference collection from all over Pakistan. Ph.D. students from different universities come here and work on collections as per the requirement of their advanced research. From Molecular Biology to Genetics to Classical Taxonomy and other research fields, everything is included.
This is our Entomology lab. We had a project where the goal was to collect and preserve all the butterfly species in Pakistan. Other than butterflies, various other groups of insects have also been displayed here.
The museum houses around 1.4 million specimens
TS: Are these crafted models? What are they made up of?
TG: No. These are bodies that have been preserved via the process of stretching. It begins with the collection of animals in the field, especially insects.
TS: Are all these displayed species from this region (referring to Pakistan)?
TG: Yes. PMNH tends to collect the COMPLETE collection of rocks, minerals, flora, and fauna of a particular region for ease of reference and research. This gives us the complete picture of a region and what kind of wildlife, animals, etc. it inhabits, under one roof.
TS: And does the general public have access to these collections? What if some member of the public wants to observe and work?
TG: This section is specifically for researchers. The displays on the first floor are for the general public.
TS: Coming back to the preservation process of these insects, can you please elaborate on the process of stretching?
TG: So, we begin by simply preserving them in the core and bringing here in the labs. After that, Pinning is done i.e.; we give them different positions on a thick board with the help of pins. In the case of insects, they have an exoskeleton made of Chitin, which is very hard. Their legs also need to be adjusted to set them in a proper posture. Pins are used to fixing them at the place.
(Top Left and Right) The entomology section has almost all specimens of the insects’ species in the region. (Bottom) Pinning of insects is done to fix them at a proper place
TS: What about the new species that are being discovered or are not a part of these assortments? After how long do you review your collections?
TG: We keep sending expeditions to the wild from time to time. It depends on the focus group of the research team. Students work on their species of interest, but our goal is to ensure the availability of all the species present in Pakistan here at our respective sections. Other than that, people donate foreign or exotic species as well, which we add to our displays and collections.
We have almost all the specimens of the bird species in Pakistan. Many of these are migratory as well, especially the ducks.
TS: Wow, there are so many! These preserved animals look so fresh! For how long do they remain unwithered?
TG: The process is known as Taxidermy. When a bird or animal dies, skinning is done. It is easier and shorter for birds as their skin is not as thick. Mammals and reptiles require more time.
After skinning, dehydration is performed, and then chemical preservatives are applied. It is followed by stuffing. For that, casts are made, the posture is prepared, the skin is mounted, and the final touches are given. The specimens are preserved and good to go for almost 20 years, but if bacteria invade, this time may decrease, and we will have to refresh it.
We also have the depository of freshwater fishes and amphibians. This section covers all the freshwater fishes and species of Pakistan though the amphibian collection is not complete due to the lack of input to it.
TS: Are there other special methods for the collection?
TG: Yes. There is wet and dry preservation. Stuffing comes under dry preservation. Preservation done in chemicals is wet. There are further two types in wet: via alcohol and formalin. We are gradually shifting to alcohol because formalin is carcinogenic, and the coloration of the specimen also changes when it is used.
Clockwise from left: Skeleton of a juvenile whale; a replica fossil of a bird; skulls of animals; variety of eggs on display
TS: Being students of Biochemistry, we have studied that snake venom is used for designing pharmaceuticals and vaccines, etc. Given that you have an extensive collection of snakes, do you provide companies samples if they need it?
TG: No, because we preserve in wet. The venom is stored in a pouch above the head. And it denatures with time. For that purpose, NIH has the venoms that can be used in drug development, so most companies contact them.
TS: So, how do you decide where and in which section to put an animal? Do you classify geographically?
TG: We create it taxonomically, not geographically. By orders, species, etc. or based on morphological features. It is the job of the taxonomist to classify and decide using the features of the specimen. Mr. Riaz here does Taxidermy.
TS: AOA, Sir! Please do share the process with us.
Mr. Riaz: So, the steps are as follows: The specimen is cut at the center, and a wire is inserted into the legs and wings followed by mold. For example, this here is a bat. The muscles are made to denature. If traces are left, then long-term storage of the specimen is not possible.
So, we take it out completely and fill it with cotton, plaster of Paris, and poly compounds, mainly polyurethane. These are used to preserve body shape as they are light-weight and easy to maintain.
(Top Left and Right) Taxidermy mounds in the Zoological Section of the Museum; (Bottom) The taxidermy of a bat is being performed
TS: Are they renewed from time to time?
Mr. Riaz: Yes, definitely! And that is due to the ectoparasites present on the skin. For that, specimens to be processed are placed in a freezer. The temperature is -30 degrees, and it kills the ectoparasites. The specimen is then taken out, and further processing is proceeded with.
TS: That’s great. (Moving on to the next section)
TG: This right here is our Pre-Partition Collection. It includes vertebrates and marine wildlife, among others. Before partition, there was the combined Zoological Survey department for both regions. After partition, Pakistan’s collection was set up in Karachi. But there were some issues related to the museum’s building, so the collection was shifted here. We have mammals, birds, and reptiles, etc. preserved here as well. Our collectors go to deep and far regions around the country to get these animals. For instance, we have sent deep-sea expeditions from Balochistan to various other ranges.
We also have here our bird collection. We have placed the same species within these drawers. For hair and DNA analysis, our specimens come into use.
(Top Left) The pre-partition collection that was provided to PMNH by Pakistan Zoological Survey Department; (Top Right) Many specimens are preserved in drawers that are used by researchers; (Bottom) Seashells in a jar collected from the Manora Island in Karachi
TS: That’s quite impressive. On your website, there was a mention of a biodiversity database. Can you share what that is?
TG: That is the complete database of all our collections. We have a link with international GBIF as well. We are working on that.
We also have exotic species like ostrich etc. Zoos of different cities have contact with us. When an animal dies, they donate the specimen to us.
TS: Speaking of exotic species, there was a lot of uproar recently on social media when a license was given for hunting of Houbara Bustard. Is hunting of endangered animals in Pakistan being done to a large extent?
TG: That is really not the case. Several initiatives are being taken to conserve animals like Houbara Bustard and Markhor. Their population is relatively stable, and to prevent any more damage, trophy hunting is allowed once in a while. But it should be noted that even if there are special rules and regulations, the local hunters do more damage than the foreign. And as far as these birds are concerned, they come from different migratory routes and are also hunted along the way in regions of Central Asia, Russia, etc. So, it’s not just that they are only hunted in Pakistan.
(L) Markhor on display; (R) Trophy heads section, some of them are the courtesy of the Pakistan Zoological Survey. Information about these animals is mentioned in detail at the bottom with their name and status.
TS: What about Markhor, the national animal of Pakistan? Is it still considered endangered?
TG: Actually, endangered species are those whose quantity in their natural habitat is less than 2000. Such are classified into the “Endangered” category. Markhor is not endangered as it is well above the limit in the wild. And it varies with each animal. For instance, Black Buck is extinct in the wild. But its breeding in captivity is being done at the Lal Suhanra National Park in Bahawalpur. Its active habitat is not available anymore, but it is present in quite a large amount in captivity. But there are many other species under threat in Pakistan e.g.; the snow leopard has been recently added to the list of endangered species as well as the leopard in the Margalla hills.
TS: We see. What about the public section?
TG: This public section features various displays. There is a depiction of prehistoric life in caves. We also have displays of wildlife in the coastal area, specifically Hawkesbay. The turtle preserved with its eggs link to that. Other animals include crocodiles, pangolins, and otters, as you can see for yourself. These animals are under threat as well. Otter is now considered endangered here due to fish farming, and pangolins are being trafficked at a very high rate.
We keep introducing changes in the museum every now and then to appeal to the public. For example, this is the Ecology section that we developed a while back. It shows the food chain concept in a simple and basic manner for the understanding of young children. All these other displays are curated specially for the younger audience.
Clockwise from top left: Display section curated for a younger audience; a sea turtle; biodiversity section; Atomic-bombed Hiroshima stone on display; Pangolin
TS: What about this giant tree trunk?
TG: This is a transverse section of a tree trunk dating back to many years. It has its annual rings that can tell about its age. It can also tell us about the weather. We can tell that by looking at the circles within its trunk. When there’s rain, growth increases, and so does the distance between the rings. During harsh conditions, there is petite growth, so the rings are dark and narrow. We can predict the weather history the tree grew in.
Dendrochronology is the method to date trees using their annual rings
TS: So, how much biodiversity is there in Pakistan? Compared to other regions?
TG: The more biomes there are, means the more species there are. Pakistan has quite a large number of diverse species, almost all of those in South Asia. At our biodiversity section, we cover all zones from the coastal areas to the peaks of mountains.
TS: Climate change is a very hot topic these days. We also see its effects around the world, from Australian wildfires to flooding across various regions. Is wildlife at threat from climate change in Pakistan as well?
TG: Not really. We have changes in this region as well, but mostly we have the normal phenomenon of earthquakes, heavy rainfalls, and snowfalls. And as these are all-natural processes, there is flexibility in the environment to absorb its effects, and they can help in biome regeneration as well. But for species that became extinct in Pakistan, the major threat was and still is, urbanization. When their habitats are destroyed, the ultimate effect is on its population and survival. As you can see in Australia, there is a natural calamity happening at the moment, and within the next five to ten years, the surviving species will be able to regain their survival rate hopefully.
TS: Please tell us about the Baluchitherium? (Referring to the life-size model standing in the PMNH grounds)
TG: It is the largest mammal ever found in this area. It was found in Dera Bugti, which has lots of vegetation. The Baluchitherium was a herbivore and required tons of thick vegetation to feed daily. Scientists from Switzerland signed a joint project with PMNH to find out more about it and its lifestyle.
The Life-sized model of the extinct Baluchitherium
TS: It looks quite a lot like the dinosaur. Is it its ancestor?
TG; No, not at all! The dinosaur was a reptile, and this was a mammal. They are not linked.
TS: All of your collection is so great. Why is there such a huge gap with the public? We looked at socials of other foreign organizations like American NMH on social media and other platforms. They have so many ongoing events that actively engage the public. On the other hand, your social page is quite dormant. Why is that so?
TG: Yes, we acknowledge that we do face problems. This right here is not a government priority. We do not get satisfactory support and funds. As you can see for yourself, the building construction has been incomplete for thirty years. We are trying our best we can with the resources we have. We often have events for the public, and students from schools also visit the museum fairly regularly.
TS: So, you not given enough resources and funds for the museum?
TG: Yes, there is not enough funding from the government. We have other different resources. We also collaborate with various international organizations, and funding is provided for research projects. We have an ongoing collocation with China, and we frequently work with other European countries on different programs.
TS: How is the public response?
TG: The Public response is quite good; visits increase day by day. According to our current data, we had almost 165,000 visitors in the last six months till December. The number of total visitors in the year is expected to add up to 195,000. Most of our public activities are concerned with students from schools and colleges.
TS: That is good to hear. We are so grateful for your time and this tour! Thank you so much.
TG: My pleasure!
Needless to say, we were much amused by the displays in the museum. So, the next time you are in Islamabad, make sure to check it out and see the great collection for yourself.
Body
fat in humans is stored in the adipose organ, which consists of distinctive fat
depots. Our total body fats reside under the skin, storing 80-90% of total body
fat in the form of Subcutaneous white adipose tissue (SAT) depots. Mainly fats
depots are present in the abdominal (around the waist), subscapular (on the
upper back), gluteal and femoral (thigh) areas. These subcutaneous adipose
tissues have distinct morphological and metabolic profiles and exhibit
sex-specific differences in size and function.
When it comes to comprehending how males and females store fat differently, the fruit fly is the key helper in this understanding. Fruit flies and humans are surprisingly alike in their genetic makeup. Studies have indicated that 75% of the disease-causing genes present in humans are also found in flies in similar form.
Researchers from UBC’s faculty of medicine recently published in PLOSBiology about their new fundamental genetic discovery in differences for fats storage and metabolism in both males and females using fruit flies. The study’s senior author, Elizabeth Rideout, an assistant professor in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, and graduate student Lianna Wat explain how this discovery will serve as a ladder in coming future for treating and managing metabolic diseases, including Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Q. How is fat storage and metabolism different between
men and women?
A. In humans and most animals, females not only store
more fats as compared to males but also breakdown fats slowly than their
opposite gender. In humans for the same body mass index (BMI), women typically
present with nearly 10% higher body fat compared to men. Aging increases
adiposity in both sexes, but again, women are characterized by higher percent
body fat throughout the entire life span While this difference in fat metabolism between men and women partly depends on
lifestyle, biological
factors such as sex hormones and sex chromosomes also play a role.
A lot of research has documented hundreds of fat
metabolism genes that are controlled by sex hormones and sex chromosomes, but
less is known about which of these genes cause the male-female difference in
fat storage.
Fruit flies in the lab. Credit: University of British Colombia
Q. What is the benefit of studying the fruit fly?
A. Fruitfliesshare nearly 60% of human genes and are studied by
thousands of scientists around the world. The reason is that fruitflies
and humans use the same or similar genes to develop into adults. And the short
life cycle of the fly makes it an ideal subject for genetic experiments. Nearly
75 percent of human disease-causing genes can be found in the fruit fly in a
similar form. It has been identified that fruit flies show a similar trend
towards fats deposit and metabolism as animals and humans i-e the female flies
store more fat than males, and metabolize it more slowly. This trend makes them
a perfect animal to improve our understanding of the genes that affect
male-female differences in fundamental cellular processes like fat metabolism.
Q. What did your study find?
A. Research has identified a major fat metabolism gene
that regulates and maintains differences in fat storage in males and females.
This idea was supported by the flies that showed without this gene, the male
and female flies store the same amount of fat. This discovery greatly provided
a link for identifying metabolic genes that control male-female differences in
other aspects of development and the study of physiology.
Q. What are the implications for people?
A. This study of the identification of metabolic genes was the earliest stage of the discovery process. But we hope that recognizing the genes that showed the difference in male and female fat storage would provide a great deal of knowledge regarding risks of some major diseases linked with abnormal fat storage in males and females, including cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes. Knowledge about the roles of genes associated with fat storage and metabolism will play an important role in treatments and eradication of metabolic diseases. Today, only a few drugs are available for treating abnormal fat storage and metabolism. Drugs which are somehow available, show differential effect for males and females. Identification of genes in fruit flies that control differences in male and female fat storage will also give more detailed knowledge for treating abnormal fat metabolism through new therapies for males and females.
I have been flogged with the dreaded stick for the second
time today. The first time was because I was late at jumping when Master
counted to three and the second time, I bleated at the wrong moment and frightened
a little human child away.
These days are pretty tough because of the prevailing chilly
weather. Master has a terrible cough and my companion, Bandar Khan, is not
feeling up-to-date either. As for myself, the cold never bothered me. That is
because the lands I come from are several times colder than this.
I feel a stabbing pain in my heart whenever I think of those
lands. The lands where I was born, where I opened my eyes for the first time, I
took my first breath, my first bleat, my first bite and my first trembling
steps. Where I pranced happily with
members of my kin and ate the sweet grass on the ground as much as I liked. My
mother and family members were part of a herd of dozens, headed by a human
shepherd. The shepherd was a kind soul. He never hit us or yelled at us or
starved us. He took such good care of us all.
My companions and I used to frolic about carelessly,
bleating and chasing each other. Then we would eat the juicy meals our
shepherds provided for us, savoring each and every flavor of freshness and
richness. The rocky mountainside and the fresh air were heavenly. There were no
worries and life was beautiful. We were free to roam about where ever we liked.
The human children of the village played with us, fed us scraps of food and
stroked our coats lovingly. They used to stare with awe at our horns, which
were of special interest to them.
But then a few new men came from below the mountains one day
and started talking with our shepherd. They started inspecting each of the
goats in the flock, rudely poking their grubby hands into our mouths and
yanking our lips apart to see our teeth. Then they would pat our backs and legs
and trace our horns with their fingers. I did not like it one bit, since their
hands were rough and ragged.
The next thing they did was haul a few of us, including me,
into the back of a truck. I was utterly surprised and retaliated with all my
strength, but the humans were sturdier and managed one goat at a time. I
bleated and shrieked till it seemed my lungs would burst. My family and friends
were bleating at the top of their voices too, some from the truck, some from
the ground. I was confused and frightened. I stood up on my hind legs to get a
better view of my mother, who had not been loaded onto the truck. One of the
men hollered at me and flogged me on the butt. That was the first time I felt
the pain ripple through my body. I yelled and panicked.
The man, along with another, held me down and calmed me. All
the goats on the truck now cowered and stood close to each other, unaware of
what was going to happen. We were given stale leaf stalks to munch on and there
were so many of us crammed up together that movement was difficult. After
several hours, we were unloaded from the truck into a marketplace overflowing
with other goats, sheep, cows and buffaloes. We had ropes around our necks, by
which the men guided us to our stables.
All my friends and family members had been divided. I did
not know a single animal in here and eating green smelly mush from the same stable
as those gluttony sheep was unacceptable. Life was very different for me here.
I could no longer roam about or breathe fresh air. I was nervous and didn’t
make new friends either. Then a man with a monkey at his side came to my owner
one day. He wore tattered clothes and dirty shoes. He pleaded to my owner to
give him a goat in the little money he was offering. Since I was among the
skinny ones and didn’t adjust well, I ended up with the monkey and the dirty
man.
Life with the monkey and the dirty man was beyond the
wildest of my thoughts. To think that I would let this scrawny human
circus-train me into doing a bit of jumps and tricks and performances in the
streets of the city was unimaginable. The training part I wish not to repeat
because it was painful and confusing. Mostly because I felt homesick and could
not grasp what the Master wanted me to do.
The monkey was my best friend during these times of hardship. Bandar Khan was a calm, composed and clever old monkey. He told me how he had been with the Master for eight years. He had been captured from the forest of Changa Manga and was being sent to a zoo along with his family members, but fate wrenched them apart and he ended up with the Master, who was just a small boy then. The Master had been poor and lived alone on the streets. He made friends with Bandar Khan, played with him and shared his food with him. Master had been a beggar then and did odd tasks like cleaning car windscreens, serving at dhabbas, picking up garbage etc. When Bandar Khan escaped from the truck taking his family to the zoo, he was lost, cold and hungry. Master found him and gave him a piece of dried roti and patted him on the head. They became friends, Master taught Bandar some tricks and then they hit it off in the streets.
Bandar was quick and
witty and attracted people and children. The audience always applauded and gave
generously, including notes of hundred and fifty, packets of chips, nimko and biscuits, and bananas. Bandar
also helped me to train. He instructed to memorize the few commands the Master
said and follow them in order to avoid the stick. I was usually good at all the
jumping and twisting about, but sometimes I forgot. And the outcome depended on
Master’s mood. If the money and the weather were both kind, Master always
patted and comforted me. But if he was in a bad mood, he would flog me with the
stick. I would bleat painfully and Bandar would jump and come to stand in front
of me. Master would then melt and ruffle the hair on top of my head, saying he
was sorry.
By the time a few months passed, I was still not used to
this life of misery. Scarce food and water, no warm place to sleep, no
companion animals, the smoke and the garbage-specked streets of the city were
all very uncomfortable. At times like these, I would cry and wonder where my
mother and brothers and other fellow goats were. I would miss the fresh air of
the mountains and the crispy, luscious grass of my homeland. I could do
anything to have one day in that heaven of a place. Then Bandar Khan would feel
homesick for his family and forest too, and we would weep together, offering
each other solace.
At times, we did get chances to smile. When we made little kids laugh with our tricks, their parents patted us or paid Master some extra money. Master would then buy corn from the street vendors or something else and treat us. When I saw the children happily talking and laughing and their mothers beaming, I would remember my own mother. I would bleat at them loudly and they would come closer to stroke my back. The touch of their loving warm hands reminded me of my mother and how I used to play with her as a kid and she would then caress me. I do wish one day I am able to return to the mountains and my mother, for I cannot tolerate the thought of my whole life on these drab streets. And I pray that Bandar Khan also finds his way back to his forest home.
In a patriarchal society like Pakistan, Women are still seen as just the homemakers or the mommies but no one can think of them as the potential leaders or the CEOs of multinational companies. They are still subconsciously raised to be subservient, and we are not ready to see them leading.
Wildlife photography
But in this pool of dismay, some women have come out to break all the glass seals, ready to challenge the stereotyping and their journey give pangs of inspiration and validation to all the women out there- Sofia Kashif is one of them. Sofia Kashif, greatly known for her work as a photographer, blogger, and writer, has excelled in all the niches with her effective content and exceptional way of presenting her work. We are not very fortunate to see much of such inspirational women, having such diversity in their work.
In our society people like Sofia Kashif are present for the womenfolk. “Gohar honay tak” and “Mummy ki diary”- these two books have given her outstanding recognition in the mob. Completely different genres “Gohar honay tak” a research book, on the other side “Mummy ki diary’’ on parenting, the diversity in the subjects she chooses to write and the simplicity in her writings is one of the reasons that her work stands out. Her write-ups on social issues incite readers to think out of the box and are very much acclaimed by the masses.
Sofia Kashif is greatly known for her work as a photographer, blogger, and writer
Sofia Kashif
She is not only a renowned writer but also a photographer that contributes a lot to her prestige. Her love for nature photography has led her pictures to be featured on international platforms like Guardian Magazine, UAE Reads, Abu Dhabi Magazine, and Gulf News.
She did her masters in English literature from Islamia University of Bahawalpur and B.ED from Allama Iqbal Open University. Later she offered her services as an English lecturer in the NICIAS college system and Army Public School. She left Pakistan in 2008 and moved to the United Arab Emirates, where she spent 13 years of her life. Currently, she is working as a blogger for DAWN, ARY, and HUM news and also looking forward to the publishing of her next book.
Besides, she is also a MOMMY of two extremely talented kids Diya and Ariz. Diya is twelve years of age, studying in seventh grade; nature and wildlife interest her the most. She is an extraordinary genius having extensive knowledge of wildlife and loves to paint. Her paintings on wildlife are spectacular. She is not only a painter but also an enthusiastic reader and wants to write a book on wildlife and strange myths.
Following are some excerpts from my recent candid conversation with Sofia Kashif and her daughter Diya Kashif
Snakes and iguanas, Photo credit Sofia Kashif
You are famous for your Photography, blogging, and write-ups, which one do you think is the most effective medium to communicate with the masses?
I have started my journey from Instagram, taking pictures, posting them and alongside I started writing. But in today’s digital world, the most effective medium is social media to present yourself, display your talents, introduce yourself to the whole world. But for the young lot, as they have full time for their ambition and they are not occupied by other responsibilities, they should give an important place to all the mediums to produce effective content and for the marketing of their product. When you are able to communicate in English, you are no longer limited to the subcontinent; you can reach out to the whole world using these platforms.
Colors of Autumn, Photo credit Sofia Kashif
What inspires your photography and do you think photography influences your writing too?
When it comes to photography, everything inspires me; I can’t name one specific thing. I have spent a major part of my life in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E, which you know is a total desert, though you can enjoy all the modernity, luxurious lifestyle there but one thing that place lacks was nature, we used to go to resorts to enjoy fresh air and greenery, which is one of the essential reason of my interest in nature photography as I have missed it the most living there and it inspires me or you can say amazes me the most. And definitely, when you start seeing things through the camera lens it unfolds a new layer of everything for you. Photography not only influenced my writing but assisted me in a number of ways as all the pictures I use for my writings and Blogs are the ones I capture myself and have a major role in my popularity and recognition among the masses.
Sofia Kashif’s photograph Featured in Dawn News
Which aspects of Nature photography do you love the most?
The beauty of nature, the shades of green excite me the most. For people, they are just bushes and shrubs but to me, every shade of green has a special feel, special value that I cannot explain in words.
What are the tips and techniques for nature photography?
I feel like it’s not the camera that works for you but it’s basically you, what you see. I do photography of the things that interest me the most that are “NATURE” and I have a special eye to see nature, I go to the same places multiple times and every time I discover a new layer, a new angle to capture the beauty of that place. It’s basically your passion, your love for the things you capture and your angle to see the things. In simple words, it’s not the lens of the camera, it’s your eye and the way you see things that can do wonders to your photography.
Sofia with her daughter Diya.
What type of writing intrigues you and what type of genre do you lean towards the most?
I am a very avid reader even from my teenage. Reader’s magazine at that time was a total treat for me but there is no specific genre, I read everything and every single thing intrigues me. But writings of Elif shafak, I can say fascinate me the most as her writings are basically the catharsis of feminism and even from her writings about the society of turkey, we- the readers of Pakistan can relate so much which I find very interesting. And when it comes to my own personal writings, you can see my work is very dynamic from “Gohar honay tak” to “Mummy ki diary” to my write-ups on social issues. I cannot confine myself in walls nor do I hesitate from taking risks and experimenting. I am not here to make records so it doesn’t bother me even if I lose my audience while trying new things, I think I am comfortable this way or you can say it’s my way of doing things.
Can you tell me about your book MOMMIES?
I shifted to UAE after my marriage where I did not have the assistance of any of my relatives at the time of parenting of Diya and Ariz, so you can say I was leading my life from the forefront and was trying to figure out things myself by reading books about parenting and through the internet. At that time, this idea of writing about parenting came to my mind and it was a total experiment. Little did I know at that time that this book will be my identity in the long run and at that time I realized how much mothers of Pakistan are in need of content like this.
Blue Parrot, Photo credit Sofia Kashif
You talk a lot about the integral factors of successful motherhood in “MUMMY KI DIARY”, can you summarize it for our readers?
There is no set definition of successful motherhood but invest in your child, invest in yourself. There is this very wrong concept that prevails in our society that our mothers quit their passion, their ambition, their talent’s got all rusted in the grind of daily life which is very wrong. In my perspective, you should pursue your ambition, make use of your talent not just for yourself but for your child because a mother should be a role model and the very first inspiration of her child. And another thing I want to mention here is that a mother should be very brave and strong who can take stand for her children even if she has to go against the society and unfortunately, I haven’t seen such strong women in our society in a significant number. Remember this: Only a strong mother can raise a strong child who can counter difficult situations in life and will pay back the society in the long run.
Diya Kashif.
Diya Kashif
How old were you when you started painting?
I was two when I used to see my mom doing painting and that’s when I learned to use colors and paper to draw.
What are your hobbies other than painting?
I like reading, playing on my recorder and playing badminton.
How did you develop an interest in wildlife?
Since I was 2 when my mom read me so many stories about animals and the way she described them with so many colors developed my interest in wildlife.
What attracts you the most about wildlife?
The beautiful flowers, birds singing in the trees, animals in the forests- this is what captures my attention the most.
Which is your favorite animal?
My favorite animals’ are Zebras and wolf for wildlife and cats and birds for pets.
(L) Diya’s artwork. (R) An artistic depiction of Diya’s love for Koalas
What is your inner animal?
Wolf because I like to be silent and in pairs or groups.
Would you like to say something about the recent Issue of Australian wildfire?
What’s done is done. I feel sad about the koalas and the people and the country.
What do you think we should do to conserve or protect wildlife?
We should stop cutting down their habitat. Some people take animals from the forests and they keep them as pets, those animals die, which is needed to be stopped.
Is there any message you want to convey through your paintings of wildlife? The only reason I like to draw wildlife paintings is that I want people to be nicer and kinder with animals.
What are your future goals and do you want to do something for the conservation of wildlife in the future?
I want to become a fighter pilot because I like to fly and it’s my dream to fly a plane and protect my country. And if not a fighter pilot then I would like to be a veterinarian and will save animals. I also want to write a book on wildlife and want to help nature but right now I can’t think of any way to help it as I am too young and a single person can’t do anything, he/she can only convince others but it needs a collective effort to get an effective outcome.
Wildlife all over the globe is facing imminent threats due to anthropogenic activities. No species is safe from the wrath of humans, whether it is the gigantic humpback whales, elephants from the animal kingdom, or diverse species of the plant kingdom. Hundreds of species have been removed from the face of the earth, and many more are facing threats to their survival. The speed of the mass extinction of species has accelerated in recent decades due to massive deforestation, mining, and drilling in remote areas, hunting for the precious ivory and many other human activities. The threats of global warming and climate change have further deteriorated the situation not only for humans but also for innocent wildlife. The recent massive Australian bushfires are the manifestation of the threat that life on earth is facing.
The last three years have broken
all the previous records of high global average temperatures. While at some
places, climate change has caused flash floods, heavy torrential rainfall,
storm surges, and tornadoes, in other areas, high temperatures have caused
prolonged droughts, shortage of water, and subsequent bushfires.
The vast bushfires in Australia
have broken records of all previous bushfires. Millions of hectares of forest
have been reduced to ashes in large swathes of the land of kangaroos and
koalas. In some places such as at the border of Victoria and New South Wales,
three massive fires merged into a mega-blaze. Along with burning millions of
hectares of land, the bushfires have killed billions of species. Videos and
pictures of Kangaroos, Koalas, and camels, running away from the scorching heat
of gigantic fires to seek refuge, have caused emergency calls for the rescue of
devastated wildlife.
The devastating wildfires in the
iconic continent of Australia have been raging since September 2019, causing
unprecedented catastrophe for wildlife. Different estimates of the toll of
animals lost have ranged from half a billion to a billion. But experts believe
that the death toll of animals lost in bushfires may be much more than these
inconceivable figures.
The vast bushfires in Australia have broken records of all previous bushfires. (Credit: Photo by Rick Rycroft/AP/Shutterstock)
“There is debate about
whether half a billion or a billion animals have been affected, but the truth
is that by the time we include invertebrates as well as mammals, reptiles,
amphibians, and birds, the total will conceivably be in the trillions,”
says University of East Anglia biologist Ben Garrod. “With approximately 85 percent of vascular plants
and 80 percent of mammals found nowhere else on the planet, the importance of
Australia’s endemic flora and fauna cannot be overemphasized, meaning its loss
cannot be downplayed.”
The estimates made by experts of
World Wildlife to access the loss of species is derived from a methodology
based on the impact of clearing land in Australia applied by the University of Sydney professor
Chris Dickman. But the estimates made by
Dickman’s methodology do not include invertebrates.
Experts also fear that the
impacts of the bushfires, which have engulfed over 18 million acres of land,
have not become completely visible yet. In the coming months and years, the
animals escaping from the scorching heat and fires may have to struggle more
for survival due to the loss of habitat and lack of available food
resources.
“If we are seeing this
level of death, destruction, and loss now, what will our planet look like when
global temperatures rise by another two or three degrees Celsius? We need to
act as an international community, and if not now, when?”
Kangaroo Island— an island in the south of Australia, 8 miles from the mainland, has been dubbed as “Noah’s Ark on island” due to its diverse population of wildlife, unique ecology and the seclusion it provides to species from disease and predators— has been hit by the apocalyptic bushfires. There are fears that the island might never recover from the massive destruction.
The devastating wildfires in the iconic continent of Australia have been raging since September 2019, causing unprecedented catastrophe for wildlife.
The kangaroo island is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Australia, having national parks for the conservation of wildlife and hiking trails sprawling on the beautiful island. The fires in this island off mainland Australia were shockingly destructive due to the speed and extreme behavior. The landscape in this once beautiful island gives a picture of a trail of destruction. Scorched land, rows upon rows of trees, some still burning from the inside, and smoke fills the landscape. Dozens of charred carcasses of Kangaroos and Koalas depict the horrible destruction of the massive bushfire, which has ravaged vast swathes of territories across Australia.
“It’s apocalyptic,”
says Caroline Paterson, a former ranger who was based in Flinders Chase for
eight years. The south-western part of the island, which was sanctioned as the
wildlife sanctuary by the Australian government, has now been completely
destroyed.
An analysis by the federal
environment department has found that more than 80% population of almost 50
threatened species have been affected by the bushfires.
The 49 species which have been
affected the most include 47 species of plants, one species of spider, and
another 331 migratory species, which are believed to have more than 10% of
their habitats in the zones across six states of Australia.
These are not just the figures or statistics but an eye-opener for humans, across the globe, that such vast varieties of species are at the risk of extinction due to human activities. Last year hundreds of scientists also warned that there is a dire need to strengthen laws for conservation of wildlife. Otherwise, our planet is facing the threat of imminent mass extinction.
Bumblebees have been declared the most important living things on the planet, and rightly so. They help in the process of pollination and are thus crucial for the growth of new plants. Just like everyone has preferences, bees also like specific plants compared to others. If bee conservation programs are to be planned, these flowers and plants must be given attention.
In the summer of 2015-16, bumblebees were found in more than 100 plant species across 400 plots in the Plumas National Forest in California. This is a mountainous and meadowy area with running water and wildlife, and bees are found here in huge numbers. It was found that Oregon checker-mallow and mountain pennyroyal flowers are the most beloved of the bumblebees. (Pictured below.)
North American bumble bees have seen a sharp decline of 44 percent between April 2015 to April 2016, and beekeepers in the US are worried. The reasons pinpointed behind this decline include competition with other insect species, transfer of parasites from honey bees to bumblebees, loss of floral resources, or a mismatch between the phenology of plant species and bumblebee species.
The researchers assessed the choice of five species of bumblebees, each species selecting a different flower within the same plot of land. The most abundant species was Bombus vosnesenskii, the yellow-faced bumblebee, and it preferred the large-leaved lupine. Three of the five species studied chose A. urticifolia, a flowering plant of the mint family.
Agastache Urticifolia, thick-stem Aster and Ryderberg’s penstemon
Along with this, thick stem asters and Ryderberg’s penstemon were primary choices as well. It was observed that these choices remain persistent despite changes in seasons and availability of other plant species. Reasons for preference include quantity and quality of nectar and pollen, availability, ease of accessibility, length of a bee’s tongue, flower symmetry, and color preference.
As whacky as it may sound, another group of researchers from New York found that cannabis crops were also beneficial for declining bee populations. Marijuana crops are also helpful. And the good part is that they don’t need insecticides while farming them. They are nutritious and a good option when flowering plants are scarce.
Source: CNN, 28 Jan 2020 by Kristen Rogers and David G. Allan
Television channels related to wildlife and nature are pretty much the least-watched ones all over the world. The bickering war that goes on between the family members of a house for the remote is basically because the father wants to catch the headlines on the news channels or watch a talk show on budget and policies. Or the mother wants to see what the latest episode of her ongoing drama has unveiled, and what has the most popular chef cooked up this week. And the kids are interested in watching cartoons, funny TV commercials, and movies. Rarely anyone especially turns on the TV to know what goes on in the wildlife community of our planet.
I remember how I, as a child, would sometimes stumble upon these while flipping the channels. If there was an interesting documentary or a ferocious lion hunting his prey, I would become glued to the screen, gaping till the lion tore at the flesh of the poor deer and ripped it off, chomping and smacking. Other than that I never really watched these shows.
I can guarantee you that a lot of hard work and patience
goes into videotaping these moments of nature, not to mention the guts it takes
to go into the depths of a jungle with camera equipment and no connection to
the human world. People who are true wildlife lovers and are brave and daring
can go and deal with these beasts
Animal Planet is one such TV channel dedicated to showing the world of these wild beasts to us. This is an American pay television channel owned by Discovery Inc. It was established in October 1996 and has since then devoted to viewing documentaries on wild as well as domestic animals. The channel was a joint venture with BBC Worldwide, but since 2008, it rebranded itself and started using the logo it still uses today.
The basic ail of this television is to provide good quality
shows on wildlife which are engaging and informative. These educational shows
are captured and displayed with premium quality, suitable dramatic or calming
background music and explanations in English related to the animal and their
behavior.
Animal Planet keeps remodeling the themes of its shows and slogans according to the demand and reactions of its viewers. Its latest slogan was adapted in 2018, which is ‘keeping the childhood joy and wonder of animals alive by bringing people up close in every way.’
Let’s take a look at some of Animal Planet’s popular shows!
Crikey! It’s the Irwins
This TV show began in October 2018 and it exhibits members of the Irwin family struggling with various challenges as they tend to the animals at the Australia Zoo. The IMDb rating of this show is a mighty8.6 and only after one season! This is a reality show and each episode has the viewer holding his breath, like the one where Robert was seen wrestling with rattlesnakes in the heart of Arizona.
The Irwin sisters, Bindi and Terri are no less in bravery
and seeking adventure. The episode where Bindi saves the life of a Koala and
lovingly cradles it is so heart-warming.
Open your laptop and search the net to catch up on the rest
of the episodes showing the adventures of the Irwin siblings.
Extinct or Alive
Since we all know the catastrophes that our Earth is facing, it is not surprising to hear that another species of wildlife is on the brink of extinction. But we might be mistaken. It may be it that animals which have been declared extinct do still exist, and to prove just that, wildlife biologist Forrest Galante has taken the mission of venturing into remote woodlands and searching for the truth. He ponders over the reasons for the animals’ demise and questions eyewitnesses about where and when they saw the last of the species.
More like the Sherlock Holmes of Wildlife, this man concludes every episode of his with either proof that the species is extinct, or that it may be surviving. Some of his best episodes include the ones where he treks through the world’s largest caves in Vietnam in search for the exotic saola species, where he is determined to find out about the reclusive Ivory-Billed Woodpecker of the Bayou, or where he unravels the mysterious attacks on recent cattle which suggests the existence of the southern Rocky Mountain Wolf in the Sierras.
River Monsters
Where ever there is man, there is a myth. Stories and folklore are common, especially when it comes to monsters in water bodies. Murky, creepy, slippery, slithery monsters in dark waters are very often inculcated in bedtime stories for little kids. Since we can’t see what’s under the water, we tend to make up stories and then, as generations come and go, believe in them and let them haunt us.
Jeremy Wade explores freshwater mysteries and local folklore, debunking most of them and sharing his mind-boggling and harrowing experiences. The show ended in 2017 but is still one of the most viewed ones, with a rating of 8.2 (IMDb).
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His show is like some very well-written horror mystery and it chills us to the spine. For example, when he heard the story of two men vanishing at a remote lake in Malaysia and unraveled a mysterious lake monster. To find out what the monster is, the whole episode is to be watched. Another time he had his viewers frozen with suspense when he dug into the mystery of the terror at a volcanic island of the pacific. Jeremy describes himself rightly as the ‘underwater detective’.
Developing interest in such shows can really inspire us into loving and caring for nature, so do spare some minutes of your TV time for this channel and similar ones!
