Jon Hall, a globe trotter who launched mammalwatching.com, a website where mammal aficionados can discover the destinations for spotting their favourite species, is quite passionate and dedicated for the cause of mammals. Let’s meet this man who mentions about three books in his newsletter to spread awareness on mammals:
By Harsh Vardhan
Are birds more popular than mammals? The question may not be easy to answer. However, it is a fact that there are over 5,000 different mammal species across the globe, against the 10,000 bird species. As bird-watching has become the most common wildlife watching hobby and there are many websites dedicated to ornithology enthusiasts, similar resources about mammals are scarce. Therefore, Jon Hall launched mammalwatching.com, a website where mammal aficionados can discover the top destinations for spotting their favourite species, and pick up tips on how to catch a glimpse of those that prove to be more elusive.
Here we share with readers what Jon Hall is serving to humanity on mammals only. He admits, he is, “genetically Welsh, spiritually Australian, currently in New York City, lived and worked in London, Canberra, Paris and Lusaka, and visited over 100 countries.” Can one understand? Still thirsty, subscribe to: mammalwatching.com and you will be face-to-face with wild species. And no price paid.
Passion and dedication: Jon has shared over his newsletter (Mammal Watching) details about three news books: Pictorial Pocket Guide to the Mammals of Sri Lanka by Sanath Kotagama and Sampath de A Coonatilake with illustrations by Ratna Vira, published by Field Ornithology group of Sri Lanka.
Another book highlighted by him is: Asia’s Wildlife A journey to the forests of Hope by Fanny Lai Bjorn Olesen; a coffee table book done for BirdLife International to raise money and awareness of their “Forests of Hope project.” Its Foreword is done by Princess Takamado of Japan.
Yet another: Mammals of South Asia (Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, a Lynx Checklist. Then there is: FELIDS and Hyenas of the World by Jose R. Castello, with stunning photographs. Indians may be familiar with some of the species.
Jon informs, “The latest taxonomy and details as one would like to obtain, are outlined in Indian Mammala A Field Guide by Vivek Menon. Vivek is a familiar face. He had set up the Wildlife Trust of India to excel in several disciplines and became a proven expert in on-field conservation. Vivek presented a copy to Jon while they met in New York.”