The Tale of Spiny Babbler-Nepal's Hidden Gem

The Journey of a Wildlife Storyteller: Shiva Kumar’s Quest for the Spiny Babbler

Meet Mr. Shiva Kumar, a passionate wildlife storyteller and a veteran in his field. Holding a master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Central University of Odisha, Koraput, Mr. Kumar has carved a niche for himself in the world of wildlife storytelling. His association with platforms like Wikipedia and renowned wildlife NGOs has brought attention to critical conservation efforts.

Recently, Mr. Kumar embarked on a remarkable journey to Nepal with a singular goal: to witness and document the elusive Spiny Babbler, a bird found exclusively in Nepal. Driven by a deep love for nature and a desire to showcase the beauty of this rare species to the world, he set off on his adventure, supported by a dedicated team of conservationists and mentors.

In Nepal, Mr. Kumar’s quest was guided by Yubin Shrestha and his mentor, the renowned conservationist Mr. Ganga Ram Regmi Dai (Founder/Director of Third Pole Conservancy and a leader of the Coexistence Council and other wildlife conservation groups). Alongside them were Mr. Ganesh Puri and Mitra Pandey, whose expertise and support were instrumental in helping him achieve his goal. After a long and challenging search, Mr. Kumar finally spotted the Spiny Babbler in its natural habitat—a moment that fulfilled a lifelong dream.

For Mr. Kumar, this journey was not just about finding a bird; it was about raising awareness of its ecological significance and sharing its beauty with the world. His passion and dedication have been supported by Pragativadi, an Indian Odia-language daily channel, which has showcased his efforts over the past few months, bringing attention to his invaluable work in wildlife storytelling and conservation.

Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Kumar expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported him, from his mentors and collaborators to the organizations that encouraged his work. He emphasized the need to inspire and support passionate wildlife storytellers, who play a critical role in preserving the natural world.

This incredible journey is a testament to Mr. Kumar’s dedication and serves as an inspiration for others to follow their passion for conservation and storytelling. Let us celebrate such individuals who remind us of the importance of protecting and cherishing our planet’s biodiversity.

These photographs have been clicked and contributed by K. Shiva Kumar, a professional Wildlife Storyteller (M.A in Journalism & Mass Communication, an alumnus of Central University Of Odisha, Koraput) from Hyderabad, Telangana.

K. Shiva is passionate about wildlife conservation. Through his work, he hopes to inspire greater appreciation for the wildlife that shares our planet and encourages conservation action.