Now Reading: New tool uses tiger, leopard scents to monitor big cats
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New tool uses tiger, leopard scents to monitor big cats
Researchers at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bengaluru have developed a non-invasive method to identify the age, sex and reproductive status of tigers and leopards from chemical signatures in…
The Story in Brief
Researchers at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bengaluru have developed a non-invasive method to identify the age, sex and reproductive status of tigers and leopards from chemical signatures in their urine and scat. The study, published in the Journal of Chemical Ecology, analysed volatile organic compounds from samples collected from nine captive tigers, 15 captive leopards and 28 individually identified wild tigers in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. It is the first chemical characterisation of tiger and leopard scat and the first sampling of tiger odours directly from the wild.
The method uses Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and a random forest algorithm to find chemical markers linked to species, age, sex and reproductive state. Lead author BV Aditi Prasad said the approach is simpler than genetic testing and easy for field teams to use. The compounds in the scent marks, left as big cats move through forests, carry detailed biological information that can help monitor elusive and endangered species without disturbing them.
The Indian Opinion
The study is a smart step, but calling it a simple tool for field teams may be too hopeful. The chemical analysis still needs expensive lab equipment and trained technicians. The real test will be whether this method can be scaled across India's tiger reserves without breaking the budget. Can it match the reliability of camera traps at a lower cost?
Sources (2): ndtv.com, newindianexpress.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
