Daltonganj:
Two specimens of scat collected from Palamu Tiger Reserve's core area
have been sent to the Wildlife Institute in Dehradun for a DNA test. The
test will ascertain if the scat belongs to a tiger or any other
carnivore. The gender of the big cat will also be decided through the
DNA test.
The two specimens were sent within a gap of three to four weeks, the last one having been sent only nine days ago. Earlier, the scat from PTR used to be sent to Assam. But that was too expensive an affair. The tiger reserve had to incur an expenditure of Rs 1.50 lakh on scat DNA tests alone, said sources.
The two specimens were sent within a gap of three to four weeks, the last one having been sent only nine days ago. Earlier, the scat from PTR used to be sent to Assam. But that was too expensive an affair. The tiger reserve had to incur an expenditure of Rs 1.50 lakh on scat DNA tests alone, said sources.
The PTR official said scat found two to three days after ejection can be collected for tests if it's not tampered with or has been strampled upon.
More than 50 grams of scat is required for a DNA test. Anand added that the institute has prepared a profile of tigers and tigresses in PTR and a DNA test of the scat is done to rule out if it belongs to a new tiger or tigress or of the old ones already examined for DNA.
The scat is generally collected from waterbodies where tiger/tigress come to drink water. The path often frequented by tiger/tigress is explored for the scat.
The scat must be preserved in an airtight envelope or small jar to further protect it from the vagaries of nature. The PTR officials maintain a record of it. The sources said there is even a movement register with the PTR wherein a tiger/tigress movement/pug mark visibility, sign of killing, etc are registered. Signs of appearance are written with red ink so as to draw the attention of the officials.
source
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