Saving endangered species, one DNA sample at a time: Here is Delhi Zoo's new conservation plan
Eyeing long-term conservation and research projects, the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Delhi is exploring the possibility of setting up an on-site wildlife biobank in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad.
The proposed facility is expected to collect and preserve genetic material — DNA, tissues, reproductive cells — from animals at the zoo. The initiative is part of a broader effort led by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to strengthen ex-situ conservation in Indian zoos.
The biobank at the zoo in the Capital is expected to follow a model already implemented at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, which became the first to establish such a facility under the initiative earlier this year.
While the process is in its early stages, officials involved in the project said the proposed biobank in the city could contribute to building a national repository of genetic material for conservation science. The samples collected are intended strictly for research and regulated breeding purposes, under the supervision of the CZA and CCMB, as third-party usage requires explicit approval.
In 2021, the Delhi zoo was among six zoos that had been identified by the CZA to join the Consortium of Indian Zoos for Biobanking of Wildlife Genetic Resources under a pilot project.
The programme was built on a tripartite agreement signed in 2019 between the CZA, CCMB-LaCONES (Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species), and the selected zoos.
Under this agreement, zoos, including Delhi's NZP, have been encouraged to collect biological samples from deceased animals, as well as from live animals during health interventions, for submission to the National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank (NWGRB) at the CCMB's laboratory.
'We are roping in CCMB for biobanking. This will help us preserve DNA, tissues, organs, and gametes of endangered or vulnerable species. The cells will be taken from dead animals and kept in a cold storage facility,' said Dr Sanjeet Kumar, Director, National Zoological Park. 'This will help preserve the genetic pool for future conservation and research…'
According to scientists at CCMB, while this can be done on all animals, endangered or endemic species will be in focus.
As per the October-December 2024 quarterly inventory report of the National Zoological Park, it is home to several endangered species listed under Schedules I and II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
These include the Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, Indian Rhinoceros (Greater One-Horned Rhino), Sloth Bear, Lion-tailed Macaque, Indian Wolf, Indian Bison (Gaur), Dhole (Asiatic Wild Dog), Eld's Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Himalayan Black Bear, Marsh Crocodile, Gharial, Indian Rock Python, and Spectacled Cobra.
At present, samples collected from zoos are sent to the CCMB facility in Hyderabad. According to officials, this has posed logistical challenges. 'Bringing samples to the CCMB facility after postmortem is a challenge. They need to be preserved within four hours. That's the reason for the need for localised facilities,' Dr Govindha-swamy Umapathy, Chief Scientist, the CCMB, told The Indian Express.
When asked why the biobanks have not been established yet, Umapathy said, 'Very simple technology is enough and sufficient; however, management-level hurdles in different zoos have caused a delay in creating such facilities.'
As per the agreement, the CZA has committed financial support for participating zoos to establish infrastructure, such as cold storage rooms. CCMB-LaCONES, acting as the technical partner, has been providing training for zoo veterinarians, biologists, and staff on collection, preservation, and transport of samples.
'As per the MoU, we have regularly trained zoo directors, veterinarians and scientists on the effective usage of modern technology, which includes bio-banking,' Umapathy added.
Dr Kumar, meanwhile, said the pandemic as well as staff shortage has meant that such conservation initiatives have been delayed. Increased focus on research and conservation studies is also part of the Delhi Zoo's modernisation plan, he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Python gulps 2 birds, rests in poultry shed
Navi Mumbai: A 10 ft long Indian rock python, which slithered into a poultry shed near A forest in Vangani village of Mhasala, Raigad, was released into the wild Thursday. The python gobbled up two chickens and killed another bird at the shed, after which it became lethargic to digest the ingested food. Wildlife researcher Shantanu Kuveskar, sid the presence of the large snake caused panic among the workers. —Vijay Singh
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Axiom-4 astronauts to study insulin behaviour in microgravity, revolutionise diabetes treatment
New Delhi: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is set to offer a ray of hope for diabetics to travel to space, as a UAE-based healthcare provider is conducting an experiment on how glucose behaves in microgravity part of the "Suite Ride" experiment planned by Burjeel Holdings and Axiom Space, some astronauts of the Axiom-4 mission will be wearing continuous glucose monitors during their 14-day stay on board the orbital lab. The studies of the behaviour of glucose and insulin in microgravity conditions will help scientists develop wearable technologies for astronauts and patients who are bedridden or have limited mobility due to illnesses such as paralysis. "We are trying just to see if there is any change or fluctuation to the blood-sugar levels while they are in space," Mohammad Fityan, chief medical officer at Burjeel Holdings, Abu Dhabi, told PTI. The astronauts will also carry insulin pens in refrigerated and ambient temperatures to examine how the molecules respond to microgravity conditions. "We are hoping that if we learn something about the metabolism or the effect, we will bring some information and we can do something for our patients on Earth," Fityan said. Currently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) does not allow insulin-dependent diabetics to travel to space. There are no official exclusions for non-insulin-dependent diabetics, but so far, no astronaut with diabetes has travelled to space. "It has the potential to transform the future of space travel for astronauts with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), a condition historically considered disqualifying for space missions," Fityan said. He said the study will pave the way for several innovative technologies and treatment approaches for developing advanced glucose-monitoring tools optimised for extreme or low-activity environments, improving wearable tech for both astronauts and patients with limited mobility on Earth. It will also help identify new pharmacologic targets by observing how metabolic and hormonal responses change in microgravity, leading to drugs that enhance insulin sensitivity or mimic the benefits of exercise in sedentary individuals. The AI-powered predictive models based on real-time physiologic data in space can be adapted to personalise diabetes care on Earth by forecasting insulin needs or metabolic shifts with higher accuracy. The research will also help develop remote monitoring platforms for continuous metabolic-data capture that could revolutionise diabetes care in underserved or remote areas on Earth as well as in tele-health settings.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
India's first epigraphical reference to Halley's comet found in Vijaynagara's 15th-century copper plate; key details inside
Credit: X The discovery of a June 28, 1456 CE, inscription at the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam, now in Andhra Pradesh, has revealed India's first known mention of Halley's comet on a 15th-century Vijayanagara copper plate inscription. This fascinating discovery has offered a glimpse into the rich astronomical knowledge of Indians even back then. The plate documents a land grant made by the Vijayanagara king Mallikarjuna to a scholar of the Vedas. The interesting part here is that the inscription contains a reference to a brilliant celestial object that is visible in the sky now identified by historians and astronomers as Halley's comet, which was indeed visible at that time. Astronomical alignment with Halley's comet The inscription date in the Indian calendar is śaka 1378, dhātr̥ āṣāḍha ba. 11, which reads exactly to Monday, June 28, 1456 CE. According to astronomical data, Halley's comet was seen visibly and spectacularly during the summer of 1456. It was one of its historically significant apparitions, recorded in various parts of the world, including Europe and Asia. The 1456 sighting of a comet was especially dramatic, and in some places, it was considered a sign. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Erftstadt: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo This is in line with the timing and the unusual celestial reference within the copper plate, making the connection. Context and significance This inscription is now considered the earliest attested epigraphic reference to Halley's comet in India, since previous references to comets in early Indian texts, e.g., in the ṛigveda, atharvaveda, and bṛhat saṃhitā, are generic and metaphorical and do not point to actual astronomical occurrences. The inscription is written in the classical Telugu language script, with an inscription in Sanskrit, in the traditional copper plate grant form, which was quite prevalent back then. Mention of the astronomical phenomenon is made along with details of the grant of land, indicating that the phenomena were deemed important enough to be noted within formal, legal, and religious documents. This find is a cornerstone achievement in India's scientific and historical record-keeping. The 1456 copper plate of the Vijaynagar empire is not only the first known epigraphic mention of Halley's comet in India but also presents a window of insight into the cosmos, the history of India, and the social and political life of the era. Apart from suggesting the rich knowledge Indians had, it also suggests that medieval scholars likely tracked cometary cycles more closely than we ever would, hinting at an advanced system of record keeping. Back in those days, observation-based understanding of astronomy in the Vijayanagara era of India is also visible.
