How serious is the problem of invasive species?
That is a tough one to control thanks to globalisation, of course. But it has been going on forever. The lantana bushes came into Bandipur and Mudumalai a century ago and had created thickets throughout the forest. But that is visible. How many viruses, bacteria, insects are coming in by the thousands. The fact is in ecology, we know almost nothing so far, about how these ecosystems work. What are you currently pursuing in field biology? Most of my research at present has a larger aim. I work with Marco Polo sheep in the Pamirs. The sheep have these gorgeous big horns You have suggested the creation of a wildlife sanctuary there. Yes. This includes Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and Tajikistan and I have been working in all those countries making censuses. I find that the Marco Polo sheep move across international borders. But these are animals that draw attract public attention. Trophy hunters like to shoot it and everybody knows about it. Therefore, it is a good symbol on which conserv
