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<p>A zoo in Japan has launched an investigation after medicines intended to kill parasites accidentally killed 31 of the 40 squirrels enclosed inside the facility. The incident transpired at the Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo last week and a probe is currently underway.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The zookeepers had sprayed insecticide on the animals’ nest boxes and administered anti-parasitic medication to them on December 4. Soon after the medication was delivered, one of the bushy-tailed rodents, a common Japanese squirrel — died.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over the next few days, the death toll continued to pile up and as of Monday (Dec 11), 31 squirrels had lost their lives.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/nuts-woodpeckers-stash-300-kg-of-acorns-in-a-california-home-559844" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | NUTS! Woodpeckers stash 300 kg of acorns in a California home</strong></a></p>

<h2><strong>Zoo offers apologies</strong></h2>

<p>The possibility of "drug-induced poisoning cannot be denied", the zoo admitted in a statement Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We're currently investigating the cause of their deaths and observing the conditions of surviving individuals," they said, adding that a pathological examination of the corpses was underway.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We offer our deepest apologies,"&nbsp;the statement said.</p>

<p>The zoo officials, however, maintain that the drugs were used in proper doses, as intended in the manual. Moreover, they had been administered on previous occasions without any incident.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/big-medical-breakthrough-as-pig-to-human-kidney-transplant-succeeds-for-a-month-626196" target="_blank"><strong>Watch | Big medical breakthrough as pig-to-human kidney transplant succeeds for a month</strong></a></p>

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<p>The zoo said the facility was clean, vetted for safety and hitting all the markers on the board. Despite the gloom surrounding the incident, the surviving squirrels were back on display.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Japan is home to three kinds of tree-dwelling creatures: the Japanese squirrel, the Japanese flying squirrel and the Japanese giant flying squirrel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While adorable, their numbers in residential areas have been a nuisance for the Japanese public. In the eastern city of Kamakura, the municipality has proposed a supplementary budget of $48,000&nbsp;for extermination efforts while warning tourists that feeding the squirrels may increase their numbers.</p>

<p>At the end of November this year, as many as 1,533 squirrels had been exterminated in the region.&nbsp;The local government has put up posters on bulletin boards around the city describing incidents of damage.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A zoo in Japan has launched an investigation after medicines intended to kill parasites accidentally killed 31 of the 40 squirrels enclosed inside the facility. The incident transpired at the Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo last week and a probe is currently underway.

A zoo in Japan has launched an investigation after medicines intended to kill parasites accidentally killed 31 of the 40 squirrels enclosed inside the facility. The incident transpired at the Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo last week and a probe is currently underway. The zookeepers had sprayed insecticide on the animals’ nest boxes and administered anti-parasitic medication to them on December 4. Soon after the medication was delivered, one of the bushy-tailed rodents, a common Japanese squirrel — died. Over the next few days, the death toll continued to pile up and as of Monday (Dec 11), 31 squirrels had lost their lives. Also read | NUTS! Woodpeckers stash 300 kg of acorns in a California home Zoo offers apologies The possibility of "drug-induced poisoning cannot be denied", the zoo admitted in a statement Monday. "We're currently investigating the cause of their deaths and observing the conditions of surviving individuals," they said, adding that a pathological examination of the corpses was underway. "We offer our deepest apologies," the statement said. The zoo officials, however, maintain that the drugs were used in proper doses, as intended in the manual. Moreover, they had been administered on previous occasions without any incident. Watch | Big medical breakthrough as pig-to-human kidney transplant succeeds for a month × The zoo said the facility was clean, vetted for safety and hitting all the markers on the board. Despite the gloom surrounding the incident, the surviving squirrels were back on display. Japan is home to three kinds of tree-dwelling creatures: the Japanese squirrel, the Japanese flying squirrel and the Japanese giant flying squirrel. While adorable, their numbers in residential areas have been a nuisance for the Japanese public. In the eastern city of Kamakura, the municipality has proposed a supplementary budget of $48,000 for extermination efforts while warning tourists that feeding the squirrels may increase their numbers. At the end of November this year, as many as 1,533 squirrels had been exterminated in the region. The local government has put up posters on bulletin boards around the city describing incidents of damage. (With inputs from agencies)

Investigation launched after squirrels are massacred in Japanese zoo

<p>A recent study has indicated that sperm count in men worldwide is declining due to increasing exposure to pesticides that are used in homes, gardens and sprayed on foods.</p>

<p>The study, published Wednesday (Nov 15) in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, examined 25 studies around the world on the two chemicals and included 20 studies in the meta-analysis.</p>

<p>“Over the course of 50 years, sperm concentration has fallen about 50 per cent around the world,” said senior study author Melissa Perry, dean of the College of Public Health at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.</p>

<p>She pointed out that the fall was linked to two common insecticides used around the world: Organophosphates and N-methyl carbamates.</p>

<h2><strong>What are organophosphates?</strong></h2>

<p>Organophosphates are the main components of nerve gas, herbicides, pesticides and insecticides and are also used to create plastics and solvents.</p>

<p>They eliminate pests and bugs by damaging their minds and nervous systems.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Scientists create embryo model without sperm, egg or womb</strong></p>

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<p>“As we sort of start to close the net around factors that could negatively impact fertility, these pesticides start to rise to the top,” Dr Alexander Pastuszak, an assistant professor of surgery and urology at The University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, was quoted as saying by CNN.</p>

<p>“There’s enough evidence to really start to say yes, these types of compounds can negatively affect fertility in men,” he said, adding, “Ultimately, you don’t know the impact on actual fertility until and unless you start trying to get pregnant.”</p>

<h2><strong>Who are at the highest risk?</strong></h2>

<p>Men working in agriculture and exposed to higher levels of pesticides showed significantly lower sperm concentration compared to those with minimal exposure to organophosphates and N-methyl carbamates, according to the study.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sperm concentration, indicating sperm per millilitre of semen, is crucial for comparing men across studies due to its adjustment for semen volume variability.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/high-mobile-use-may-be-bringing-down-your-sperm-count-study-654459"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;High mobile phone use may be bringing down your sperm count: Study</strong></a></p>

<p>Experts emphasise that sperm count, total progressively swimming sperm, and sperm concentration are key indicators of future fertility.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study suggests that pesticides may affect sperm by directly interfering with sexual hormones, damaging testes cells, and altering brain neurotransmitters impacting sperm production, as observed in animal studies.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A recent study has indicated that sperm count in men worldwide is declining due to increasing exposure to pesticides that are used in homes, gardens and sprayed on foods.

A recent study has indicated that sperm count in men worldwide is declining due to increasing exposure to pesticides that are used in homes, gardens and sprayed on foods. The study, published Wednesday (Nov 15) in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, examined 25 studies around the world on the two chemicals and included 20 studies in the meta-analysis. “Over the course of 50 years, sperm concentration has fallen about 50 per cent around the world,” said senior study author Melissa Perry, dean of the College of Public Health at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She pointed out that the fall was linked to two common insecticides used around the world: Organophosphates and N-methyl carbamates. What are organophosphates? Organophosphates are the main components of nerve gas, herbicides, pesticides and insecticides and are also used to create plastics and solvents. They eliminate pests and bugs by damaging their minds and nervous systems. Watch: Scientists create embryo model without sperm, egg or womb × “As we sort of start to close the net around factors that could negatively impact fertility, these pesticides start to rise to the top,” Dr Alexander Pastuszak, an assistant professor of surgery and urology at The University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, was quoted as saying by CNN. “There’s enough evidence to really start to say yes, these types of compounds can negatively affect fertility in men,” he said, adding, “Ultimately, you don’t know the impact on actual fertility until and unless you start trying to get pregnant.” Who are at the highest risk? Men working in agriculture and exposed to higher levels of pesticides showed significantly lower sperm concentration compared to those with minimal exposure to organophosphates and N-methyl carbamates, according to the study. Sperm concentration, indicating sperm per millilitre of semen, is crucial for comparing men across studies due to its adjustment for semen volume variability. Also read: High mobile phone use may be bringing down your sperm count: Study Experts emphasise that sperm count, total progressively swimming sperm, and sperm concentration are key indicators of future fertility. The study suggests that pesticides may affect sperm by directly interfering with sexual hormones, damaging testes cells, and altering brain neurotransmitters impacting sperm production, as observed in animal studies. (With inputs from agencies)

Sperm count decreasing worldwide due to increased exposure to pesticides: Study

<p>To help the farming community of Jammu and Kashmir, the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Science Technology (SKUAST) and&nbsp;the Government of Jammu and Kashmir have introduced high-tech drones to spray chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides in the orchards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This technology will help the farming community of the region and lower the costs. From manual labour to minimal usage of chemicals and saving time, this technology could be a great help for the farmers of the Kashmir Valley. The government says that if the farmers adopt technology, it will help in increasing economic productivity, reducing environmental pollution and attracting youth to agriculture.</p>

<p>''The agriculture university of Kashmir is now working with the government of Jammu and Kashmir about the modernisation of agriculture, it includes bringing in new technologies. We would also include Artificial Intelligence. We have today introduced drones for spraying of pesticides and fertilizers in our orchards, conventionally we are using excessive use of chemicals, 90 per cent of all the chemicals used in Jammu and Kashmir are sprayed on these orchards."</p>

<p>Using drones will bring down the percentage of pesticides by around 90 per cent. We will also be reducing the labour cost. It would be more precise with a mist spray. We are sure we will be taking agriculture to the next level with the support of the government,'' said Nazir Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Jammu and Kashmir has&nbsp;around one lakh sixty thousand hectares of land under horticulture and over 20 lakh metric tonnes of fruit are grown every year. Around 8 per cent of the economy of the Union Territory is contributed by horticulture.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''Horticulture is the backbone of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, It is around 15 thousand crore rupees (Rs 150 billion), and we believe there is potential to increase it to four times. It won't happen without technology. Drone technology is one aspect,&nbsp;we are also bringing Artificial Intelligence.&nbsp;We are collecting data on how it's spraying the pesticides, at what height, and whether the mist it is spraying is sufficient for the requirement of the plant. We are collecting all the data and by next year we will be able to give it to farmers for use,'' said Vice Chancellor Ahmad. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-200-female-athletes-trained-in-water-sports-with-a-goal-to-represent-india-538571">&nbsp;Over 200 female athletes trained in water sports with a goal to represent India</a></p>

<p>The drones are not fitted with a camera yet due to security reasons. But SKUAST is working with the government and will soon be fitting a spectrum camera which will detect the disease of the plant and spray it with exactly the kind of chemical to treat the disease. Using this technology will save 90 per cent of the chemicals which will be great for the environment and also good for health.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''Our drone is called Agri boat.&nbsp;It is the first drone approved by DGCA. It is designed for 10 litres of liquid that will be sprayed over one acre of land. The battery life is around 20 minutes per charge. It can cover up to one hectare of land per battery charge. A farmer can save around 90 per cent of water, generally, it takes three hours for an acre of land and that too with a team of labourers, so if we compare this is less time-consuming and needs much lower manual labour. The second is human contact with chemicals would be much lesser,'' said Dheeraj Yadav, engineer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The farming community of the Kashmir region has hailed the initiative and demanded that drones be made available soon.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe></p>


To help the farming community of Jammu and Kashmir, the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Science Technology (SKUAST) and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir have introduced high-tech drones to spray chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides in the orchards.

To help the farming community of Jammu and Kashmir, the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Science Technology (SKUAST) and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir have introduced high-tech drones to spray chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides in the orchards. This technology will help the farming community of the region and lower the costs. From manual labour to minimal usage of chemicals and saving time, this technology could be a great help for the farmers of the Kashmir Valley. The government says that if the farmers adopt technology, it will help in increasing economic productivity, reducing environmental pollution and attracting youth to agriculture. ''The agriculture university of Kashmir is now working with the government of Jammu and Kashmir about the modernisation of agriculture, it includes bringing in new technologies. We would also include Artificial Intelligence. We have today introduced drones for spraying of pesticides and fertilizers in our orchards, conventionally we are using excessive use of chemicals, 90 per cent of all the chemicals used in Jammu and Kashmir are sprayed on these orchards." Using drones will bring down the percentage of pesticides by around 90 per cent. We will also be reducing the labour cost. It would be more precise with a mist spray. We are sure we will be taking agriculture to the next level with the support of the government,'' said Nazir Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST. Jammu and Kashmir has around one lakh sixty thousand hectares of land under horticulture and over 20 lakh metric tonnes of fruit are grown every year. Around 8 per cent of the economy of the Union Territory is contributed by horticulture. ''Horticulture is the backbone of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, It is around 15 thousand crore rupees (Rs 150 billion), and we believe there is potential to increase it to four times. It won't happen without technology. Drone technology is one aspect, we are also bringing Artificial Intelligence. We are collecting data on how it's spraying the pesticides, at what height, and whether the mist it is spraying is sufficient for the requirement of the plant. We are collecting all the data and by next year we will be able to give it to farmers for use,'' said Vice Chancellor Ahmad. Also Read: Over 200 female athletes trained in water sports with a goal to represent India The drones are not fitted with a camera yet due to security reasons. But SKUAST is working with the government and will soon be fitting a spectrum camera which will detect the disease of the plant and spray it with exactly the kind of chemical to treat the disease. Using this technology will save 90 per cent of the chemicals which will be great for the environment and also good for health. ''Our drone is called Agri boat. It is the first drone approved by DGCA. It is designed for 10 litres of liquid that will be sprayed over one acre of land. The battery life is around 20 minutes per charge. It can cover up to one hectare of land per battery charge. A farmer can save around 90 per cent of water, generally, it takes three hours for an acre of land and that too with a team of labourers, so if we compare this is less time-consuming and needs much lower manual labour. The second is human contact with chemicals would be much lesser,'' said Dheeraj Yadav, engineer. The farming community of the Kashmir region has hailed the initiative and demanded that drones be made available soon.

J&K government introduces drones for spraying fertilisers, pesticides in orchards

The bees are tiny insects but they play a big role in keeping the balance in the ecosystem. However, excessive use of pesticides have now put them under threat.

Habitat loss & pesticides decimate bees as their population collapses by 40% in last 30 years

A four-year project in Denmark, Europe's largest exporter of festive tall evergreen trees, aims to crossbreed a new type of tree that's more resilient to milder temperatures and more sustainable, requiring less fertiliser and pesticides.

Project aims to crossbreed new type of more resilient Christmas tree in Denmark

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