Non-invasive Pregnancy diagnosis of wildlife through faecal hormone profiles

If pregnancy of humans can be diagnosed easily, then why not that of wild animals? Progress in science has now made it easy. IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute), which is India’s premier research facility in veterinary field, has announced that it can diagnose pregnancy of wildlife through non-invasive methods with full accuracy.

Using a non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis (PD) IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute) in April had declared Jessica from Etawah Lion Safari as pregnant. Subsequently Jessica has given birth to four cubs on 26-6-2019.

In the past the lioness Jessica was declared pregnant three times and as non-pregnant on one occasion. Accordingly she had given birth during the three times she was declared as pregnant and no parturition happened when she was declared non-pregnant. This has ensured 100% success rate in predicting pregnancy.

IVRI’s non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis is done using faecal hormone profile 45 days after mating. This has been found successful in 14 samples (lions and tigers) from Etawah Lion Safari.

During previous years IVRI has received samples from MC Zoological Park Chhatbir (Punjab); Pipali Zoo, Kurukshetra (Haryana); Silvassa Vasona Lion Safari, Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka); Dharmasthala (Karnataka); National Zoo Nainital (Uttarakhand); Nahargarh Biological Park, Japiur (Rajasthan), National Zoological Park, New Delhi; Sajjangarh Biological Park, Udaipur (Raj); Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, (UP). A total of 36 such samples were evaluated based on progestin concentration and found to be 100% successful.

Large carnivores like Tigers, leopards and lions need inviolate space to breed. Such non-invasive techniques can be of big help in predicting and taking precautionary measures in the wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks as well. It would be important to include such testing into the regular protocols for wildlife managers so that they don’t go through much red tape.

Photo ( CCTV grab of Jessica the lioness with four cubs on 26.06.2019)