DNA sampling for tiger census in Sunderbans

DNA sampling for tiger census in Sunderbans

STAFF WRITER 12:9 HRS IST

Kolkata, Nov 23 (PTI) The West Bengal government for the first time will conduct tiger census through DNA sampling of the animal's scat in Sunderbans in January next year.

Till now, pug marks were used to count the tigers, but there was always controversy regarding the veracity.

During the 2006 census, the state government had rejected the Indian Statistical Institute's claim that there were not more than 70 tigers in Sunderbans, the world's largest delta.

"Sunderbans is not like Buxa or any other tiger reserve.

The terrain here is very difficult and requires a special method. So we will go for DNA sampling which will be used for the first time to estimate the number of tigers," Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve (SBR) director Pradeep Vyas told PTI.

The census would be held in January and February next year.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/389501_DNA-sampling-for-tiger-census-in-Sunderbans

http://bigcatrescue.org