In a significant step towards wildlife conservation, the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) has established its first mini wildlife laboratory at the Dhikala Range Rescue Centre. This state-of-the-art facility aims to enable early detection and treatment of ailments in Schedule I animals, including tigers, leopards, and elephants, within the reserve and across the Himalayan state.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the lab is designed to expedite the diagnosis of sick or injured animals, eliminating delays caused by sending samples to external institutions like the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly or the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun. Previously, test reports would take three to four days, often delaying critical treatments. Now, instant results will allow immediate evidence-based medical interventions.
Dr. Dushyant Sharma, Senior Veterinary Officer at CTR, explained that the machines installed are based on the latest technology developed in Japan and Chennai. “This mini-lab provides facilities such as Complete Blood Count (CBC), liver and kidney function tests, urine analysis, blood gas analysis, platelet counts, and portable X-rays. These tests help determine conditions like anemia, infections, or organ problems, allowing us to begin treatment immediately,” he said.
The lab’s reach extends beyond CTR (Corbett Tiger Reserve), as it can examine samples from sick wild animals across the state. Dr. Saket Badola, Director of CTR, emphasized the broader impact of this initiative. “This is the first time high-quality machines have been installed in Corbett for testing wildlife samples. The facility was set up under a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in collaboration with the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature and Japanese corporate house Fujifilm,” he stated.
Modern equipment in the lab includes a blood analyser, biochemistry analyser, Kidney Function Test (KFT) machine, urine analyser, CBC platelet count machine, and a portable X-ray machine. These devices are specially calibrated for large animals to ensure accurate and reliable results.
The establishment of this lab marks a milestone in wildlife healthcare, not only for CTR but for the entire state. Plans are underway to link this facility with other wildlife rescue centers, further strengthening conservation efforts.
This development underscores CTR’s commitment to leveraging technology for wildlife protection and ensuring timely medical care for endangered species, reinforcing its role as a global leader in tiger conservation.
