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An Exclusive Tour of the Pakistan Museum of Natural History

Scientia
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An Exclusive Tour of the Pakistan Museum of Natural History

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
(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.

Also Read: A Candid conversation with Mother-Daughter duo on Nature & Wildlife photography

Image Credits: Scientia Pakistan

Fruit Fly Serving As An Indicator For Distinctive Fat Storage In Males And Females

Saher Shahid
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Fruit Fly Serving As An Indicator For Distinctive Fat Storage In Males And Females

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 PLOS Biology 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
Fruit flies in the lab. Credit: University of British Colombia

Q. What is the benefit of studying the fruit fly?

A. Fruit flies share nearly 60% of human genes and are studied by thousands of scientists around the world. The reason is that fruit flies 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.

Also Read: A look into the extraordinary life and work of Jane Goodall

The Master, The Monkey, And Me

Aniqa Mazhar
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The Master, The Monkey, And Me

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.

Also Read: The Maniac Machine

A Candid conversation with Mother-Daughter duo on Nature & Wildlife photography

Sabeeka Zafar
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A Candid conversation with Mother-Daughter duo on Nature & Wildlife photography

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
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 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

Photo credit Sofia 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
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
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
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.

Link to similar posts: A well-cited research by a Pakistani author; Engr Mohammad Nawaz

These flowers in your yard can save bumblebees

Aniqa Mazhar
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These flowers in your yard can save bumblebees

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.)

Certain plants can help save the bumblebees

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.
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

Also Read: Nasa’s contribution to Wildlife preservation

What do you turn on the TV for?

Aniqa Mazhar
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What do you turn on the TV for?

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.

Irwin

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).

river monsters

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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!

Also Read: ‘Life’ Review: A somewhat recycled take on the human-hating Alien cliché

Nasa’s contribution to Wildlife preservation

Eruj Shahid Qadri
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Nasa’s contribution to Wildlife preservation

General satellite imagery is also known as Earth observation imagery or spaceborne photography. These are images of Earth or other planets collected by imaging satellites operated by governments and businesses. The importance of satellite imagery is the technological advances and increasing availability of high-resolution satellite imagery offer the potential for more accurate land cover classifications and pattern analyses around the world. Being a world-class organization, NASA strives to conserve and protect natural resources through great habitat and species management programs.

NASA strives to promote the increased efficiency of raw materials and the conservation of natural resources. These resources include land use, wetlands and floodplains, threatened and endangered species, wildlife, ecosystems, oceans, and coastal zones. Natural Resources Management ensures that NASA makes efficient use of natural resources while protecting the environment and valuable wildlife. This management further allows NASA to conserve precious natural resources for future generations.

NASA’s satellite instruments

NASA’s satellite instruments are often the first to detect wildfires burning in remote regions, and the locations of new fires are sent directly to land managers worldwide within hours of the satellite overpass. Together, NASA instruments detect actively burning fires, track the transport of smoke from fires, provide information for fire management, and map the extent of changes to ecosystems, based on the extent and severity of burn scars. NASA has a fleet of Earth-observing instruments, many of which contribute to our understanding of fire in the Earth system.

Satellites in orbit around the poles provide observations of the entire planet several times per day, whereas satellites in a geostationary orbit provide coarse-resolution imagery of fires, smoke, and clouds every five to 15 minutes. NASA satellites can show the movement of the smoke across the globe as evidenced above, but other instruments found onboard can give scientists, firefighters, health experts, local government, and others information about what is happening on the ground in real-time.

How NASA contributes to global wildfire detection

Wherever fires are burning around the world NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite’s Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) can track the smoke and aerosols. Suomi’s OMPS tracks the health of the ozone layer and measures the concentration of ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere and can detect aerosols. Ozone is an important molecule in the atmosphere because it partially blocks harmful ultra-violet radiation from the sun. OMPS data help scientists monitor the health of this vital protective layer. On Sept. 13, 2019, data from OMPS revealed aerosols and smoke from fires over both South America and North America.

Fires in South America generated smoke that continues to create a long plume east into the Atlantic Ocean. Fires over western Brazil were generating aerosols at a level 2.0 on the index. Higher aerosol concentrations, as high as 4.0 were seen off the southeastern coast of Brazil as a result of the fires in the region.

Western Brazil, South America
Western Brazil, South America

In North America, Suomi NPP’s OMPS detected smoke and aerosols from fires over Canada’s Yukon Territories. Aerosol concentrations were very high over the Yukon fires due to a pyrocumulus event that occurred on 11 September. The image also shows a low-pressure system (the area of spiraled clouds) off the coast of western Canada.

Western Canada, North America
Western Canada, North America

Tracking and detecting Australia’s Bushfires

NASA scientists using data from its NOAA/NASA Suomi NPP satellite have traced the movement of the smoke coming off the Australian fires across the globe showing that it has circumnavigated the Earth. Suomi NPP carries carry five science instruments and is the first satellite mission to address the challenge of acquiring a wide range of land, ocean, and atmospheric measurements for Earth system science while simultaneously preparing to address operational requirements for weather forecasting. Suomi NPP also represents the gateway to the creation of a U.S. climate monitoring system, collecting both climate and operational weather data and continuing key data records that are critical for global change science.

Satellite Image constructed using data from NASA showing the extent of Australia’s Bushfire
Satellite Image constructed using data from NASA, showing the extent of Australia’s Bushfire

In an image taken on Jan. 13, 2020, the Suomi NPP satellite used the reflectance bands on the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) instrument to clearly show the areas that have been affected by the fires (dark brown to black) alongside areas not burned (appearing green to bright green). These reflective bands can also be used to show the “height” of clouds since clouds lower to the ground appear whiter and clouds higher in the atmosphere appear bluer to aqua since the ice crystals within the clouds reflect a bluer color using this instrument.  Just changing values on a satellite instrument can give those on the ground information they would not have any other way. The image below shows the burned areas, clear areas, and clouds.

NASA's Suomi NPP satellite showing Australia’s Bushfires
Suomi NPP satellite showing Australia’s Bushfires

In Australia, an estimated 1 billion animals killed. Many wild animals and some farm animals have been killed directly by the flames. Other animals have not been burned alive but have faced death due to the destruction of their natural environment, which they rely on for food and shelter. This is a crisis for biodiversity in Australia, which is home to some of Earth’s most distinctive animals, like marsupials.

NOAA meteorologists incorporate Suomi NPP data into their weather prediction models to produce forecasts and warnings that help emergency responders anticipate, monitor and react to many types of natural disasters, including the bushfires plaguing Australia currently.  Suomi NPP serves as an important link between the current generation of Earth-observing satellites and the next generation of climate and weather satellites. It observes the Earth’s surface twice every 24-hour day, once in daylight and once at night. In its orbit Suomi NPP flies 512 miles (824 kilometers) above the surface in a polar orbit, circling the planet about 14 times a day.

The satellite sends its data once an orbit to the ground station in Svalbard, Norway and continuously to local direct broadcast users. The data collected by Suomi NPP can help save lives. One-third of land on an Australian island that is a refuge for some of the country’s unique and endangered wildlife has been scorched by raging bushfires, NASA satellite images show the extent of fire damage to Kangaroo Island in the state of South Australia was captured by NASA’s Terra satellite. NASA estimates that 155,000 hectares (600 square miles) of the island have been consumed by fires, calling it “an ecological tragedy”. NASA saved 90,000 animals.

Satellites used by NASA saved many lives not only humans but animals as well. The data collected by satellites can save lives within minutes. Satellite imagery helps to save every living being around the globe. More missions focused on satellite imagery for prediction and modeling wildfires are needed to avoid catastrophes.

Also Read: The emergence of the deadly Coronavirus

Biggest threats to wildlife and endangered species

Saadeqa Khan
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Biggest threats to wildlife and endangered species

From Pakistan to the Middle East, from the Middle East to US states; From US states to Australia and Amazon, Wildlife did not have an easy go of it in 2019. The extent of forest fires has sparked outrage around the globe & a considerable trace of forests in Australia, Africa, Russia, Brazil, and other parts of the world has been under fire. In August 2019, multiple forest fires broke out in the Canary Islands of Gran Canaria, Tenefire, and Lanzarote. In the same month, record-breaking forest fires ripped through the Amazon.

According to the Non-Permissive Environment (NPE) report, there were more than 80,000 fires, most of them recorded in Amazon, which burned around 7 million hectares of land. The worst of all was/is Australian bushfires that pushed more than 7.3 million hectares, had put a huge devastating impact on wildlife, many endangered species like Koala and Kangaroo were in the fire path, and as per reports, one billion animals have been killed or affected, including birds, reptiles and mammals. Almost a third of Koalas may have been killed in Australia’s New South Wales bushfire, and 30% of their habitat has been destroyed till the date when there are reports that fires reignite with soaring temperature in NSW. The Australian administration keeps trying to whittle away at critical protections for endangered species.

So with this rough bit of recent history, what does 2020 holds?
According to environmentalist and forest experts, the primary threats to wildlife are; climate change, massive infrastructure construction, global warming, plastic waste, emerging decease, and poaching, snaring, and wildlife trafficking.

Climate change and widespread drought are the primary cause of wildfires outbursts in 2019 and destroyed a million hectares of land. Climate scientists have been warned long ago that the scale of devastation of wildfires will be overwhelmed in the future and will be a clear-cut example of the way climate change can intensify natural disasters. Moreover, this is not limited to fires; the extremely upsetting expects of climate change are not showing signs of breaking and the administrations worldwide, refuse to recognize it.

An overall rise in the ocean in the ocean surface water increased precipitations, which is causing extensive flooding, deforestation, snowstorm, tornados, and extensive draught all are affecting a species existence, correctly put a severe threat to endangered species survival.
According to a noted wildlife conversationalist, William Laurence of James Cook University, reduced oxygen level at oceans could have a significant influence on zooplankton, which is one of the building blocks of the ocean food web. Any further changes in ocean composition will be a huge impact, much alike to a great dying.

From rising sea levels to wildfires, wildlife is at high risk more than ever
From rising sea levels to wildfires, wildlife is at high risk more than ever

Another critical threat to wildlife conservation is building new roads and an avalanche of infrastructure projects most of them initiated by Chinese investors and are craving into primary inhabitants of Africa, Asia (especially Indonesia and nearby), and Amazon. As the construction process speeded up, most of the governments around the globe are experiencing tight stress to preserve some of their prestigious wildlife inhabitants, especially some particular areas of biodiversity and ecosystem importance.

Another factor is plastic waste, which popped up as a most significant threat to ocean-life and sub-marine creatures and equally affecting wildlife an environment. A new study reveals that around 100% of sea turtles have plastic or micro-plastic in their digestive system. Plastic has been found as the primary persistent polluters of several environmental niches from Mount Everest to the bottom of oceans and flooding cities by trapping their drainage systems. The causes and effects of plastic pollution are needs serious and immediate attention.

Meanwhile, due to escalating pollution, emerging deceases like those affecting Bats, Frogs, and several reptiles are outnumbering and are more likely to cause a more significant loss of species worldwide. The forests of South Asia and South Africa are gradually emptying their local species due to poaching, snaring, and wildlife trafficking.

As per expert’s opinions, there will be more blood, more habitat loss, and more wildfires in 2020. The opportunities to make a difference in the issues, as mentioned earlier, are quickly running short. Our planet is getting punished for over-exploitation of its natural resources; we already have got poisoned its atmosphere, land, and oceans. We need to put aside our political, religious, and social differences and should work together to cease this catastrophic situation.

Share your thoughts about the biggest threats to wildlife and endangered species with hashtag #Wildlife2020.

Link to similar posts: Scientists who knocked-down disability barriers

The Fiery Fire Rainbow

Scientia
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The Fiery Fire Rainbow

The “Circumhorizontal Arc”, more commonly known as the “Fire Rainbow” is a unique and strikingly beautiful natural phenomenon that is observed in the atmosphere. It occurs in high-level cirrus clouds in the form of ice crystals and with a little help from the sunlight, a halo is formed. The term Fire Rainbow itself is not real or scientifically accurate and is just used to describe its shape as it appears like a rainbow that is fire-shaped.

The Fire Rainbow frequently occurs in the US and is often apparent in the summer at various locations. And it is not so common in other areas such as the northern parts of Europe etc. In London, during mid-May to late July, the sun goes high in the sky for 140 hours, and in Los Angeles, from late March to late September, the elevation may increase up to 58 degrees for 670 hours. During such conditions, the halo can be seen several times a year.

Here are some fascinating pictures of the phenomenon!

The colorful sky in Michigan. (Credit: Derek W, via Wikimedia Commons)
Fire Rainbow can be seen in the background. (Credit: Attila Magyar, via flickr)
Here it can be seen in the background. (Credit: Attila Magyar, via Flickr)
The West Virginia skies offering a mesmerizing sight. (Credit: Jeff Kubina, via Flickr)
The optical phenomenon formed by the refraction of light in ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. (Source: Pinterest)
The optical phenomenon formed by the refraction of light in ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. (Source: Pinterest)
The rare 'Fire Rainbow' seen here above a mountain. (Source: Oleg Bartunove via APOD)
The rare ‘Fire Rainbow’ seen here above a mountain. (Source: Oleg Bartunove via APOD)
It occurs in high-level cirrus clouds in the form of ice crystals and with a little help from the sunlight, a halo is formed. (Source: Dave McGlinchey)
It occurs in high-level cirrus clouds in the form of ice crystals and with a little help from the sunlight, a halo is formed. (Source: Dave McGlinchey)

Also Read: Alpha Monocerotids didn’t really live up to the hype

The emergence of the deadly Coronavirus

Muhammad Abdullah Khan
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The emergence of the deadly Coronavirus

Imagine buses, railways, subways, trucks and all kinds of public and private transportations getting closed. Airports getting closed completely and the traffic going in and out of the city through ferries, ships, and vessels getting closed. Roads getting blocked and all the life, in a major metropolitan city coming to halt.

This mass quarantine is not a scene from any movie, but actually being carried out by the Chinese authorities due to the spread of Coronavirus in China, especially Wuhan―a metropolitan, with a population of 11.08 million, in China’s Hubei Province. It is the 42nd largest city in the world, with the catastrophic potential to exponentially spread the coronavirus, which is rapidly becoming an epidemic

China is fighting a battle against deadliest Coronavirus and nationally, there are currently 830 confirmed cases of patients infected with this virus. The Chinese government has widened a lockdown in the center of the outbreak, in the Hubei province but the impact of the virus is not limited to one province only and warnings have been issued in other provinces also. The travel restrictions will affect at least 20 million people across 10 cities, including the capital Wuhan, where the virus emerged.

But controlling the outbreak of contagious, endemic micro-organisms, which can be transmitted virtually through our environment, especially in such a large city is not a piece of cake as explained by Professor Adam Kamradt-Scott, a health security expert from the University of Sydney who says that, “the only way you could do it, realistically, would be to ring-fence the city with the PLA [Chinese military].”

BBC reported that “as of 10:00 on Thursday (02:00 GMT), buses, trains, subways, and ferries were stopped from leaving the city.”

Gauden Galea, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) representative in China, put it more straightforwardly: “To my knowledge, trying to contain a city of 11 million people is new to science,” he told the Associated Press. “We cannot at this stage say it will or it will not work.”

And – even if it proves possible to shut the stable door on Wuhan – the horse may already have bolted.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a kind of common virus, causes respiratory infections in humans, often mild, but in rare cases potentially it could be dangerous. It causes an infection in the nose, sinuses, or upper throat. There are no cure or vaccines approved for the prevention or treatment of the virus so far.

Most of the types are not lethal at all and everyone gets this virus infection once in a lifetime which could be treated with proper cure and treatment. But in January 2020, the World Health Organization identified a new type: 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China. By late January, there were 300 confirmed cases in China and a death count that was still in the single digits but rising. And despite airport screenings, a traveler had brought the first case to the U.S.

How contagious is this virus?

Touching or shaking hands with a virus affected person can pass the virus from one person to another. Making contact with surface walls, floors, doors, etc or object that has the virus and then touching face, nose, eyes, or mouth is also a major cause of the speedy outbreak of the virus. On rare occasions, a coronavirus may spread through contact with feces.

The coronavirus in China was first reported to the WHO on 31st December. But it was not until 20th January that Chinese officials assessed that the virus is contagious and can be passed from human-to-human.

The coronavirus outbreak is not limited to Wuhan or China alone, where out of 571 reported infections 18 have died. The coronavirus has infected people in Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia and even as far as the US. 

Also Read: Teen discovers a new exoplanet

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