MADRAS VETERINARY COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE SCIENCE

Genesis

The Department of Wildlife Science, the first of its kind among veterinary universities in India, was established on 01.10.1994 at Madras Veterinary College. The main objective of this department is to impart education and training on wildlife with emphasis on wild animal health and management to undergraduate students and Master’s research for postgraduate scholars. Doctoral degree was started in 2011. Postgraduate Diploma in Wild Animal Disease Management (PGDWADM) (Distance Education - Online Mode) was started in 2012.

Mission

Imparting education to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field of wildlife science.
Development of molecular and immunodiagnostic techniques and tools for specific diagnosis of diseases affecting wild animals.
Formulation of suitable treatment and control measures for disease affecting captive wild animals.
Conducting studies on disease pattern affecting wild animals including avifauna.
Study the effects of environmental pollution on wildlife.
Conducting research related to captive breeding in wild animals and wildlife nutrition.

Education

The curricula of programmes have been designed to cater to the ever-changing needs and demands of the society and empower veterinary students with specific skills to handle health care, management, rescue and rehabilitation of free-ranging and captive wild animals by imparting specialized training.

Apart from classroom lectures and practical sessions, the students also undertake a ten-day internship training programme at Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP), Vandalur and Chennai Snake Park Trust (CSPT), Guindy.
Since inception, six students have successfully completed their Ph.D., 52 students have completed M.V.Sc. and 29 students have completed their PGDWADM. It is a matter of pride for the department that all the students of the department are well placed in the state departments, State Agricultural and Veterinary Universities, various wildlife-related sectors, NGOs, etc.

Research

Research Projects Completed

Title	Funding agency	Period of the Project
Development of an Indian Co-operative Wildlife Health Programme and Technical Assistance in Wildlife Institute of India’s Wildlife Health Research Project	Wildlife Institute of India	01-09-1995 to 30-09-2001
Retrospective Survey of diseases in free ranging and captive wild animals	Wildlife Institute of India	01-04-2000 to 30-11-2000
Strengthening of Madras Veterinary College as Nodal Centre of Wildlife Health and Disease Diagnosis	Central Zoo Authority of India, New Delhi	15-07-2002 to 31-03-2007
Health cover to captive wild animals (Prolifically breeding wild animals) maintained at Arignar Anna Zoological Park	Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur	17-10-2007 to 17-10-2010
Common foot ailments in captive Asian Elephants of South India	Central Zoo Authority New Delhi	18-02-2008 to 18-02-2010
Sex determination in Psittacines by amplification of CHD gene using PCR	TANUVAS	10-09-2014 to 09-09-2015
Foldscope as a tool to screen parasitic infections in wild animals of Tamil Nadu	Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, Ministry of Science and Technology, New Delhi	03.08.2018 to 19.09.2019
Light microscopic trichology of wild mammals	Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) - Sub project	03.06.2019 to 31.03.2021

Infrastructure and facilities available

Class II Bio-safety cabinet
Incubator
Laminar Clean Air Workstation
Water bath
Thermal Cycler (BioRad)
pH meter
Gel Electrophoresis
Magnetic stirrer

Gel documentation
Vortex mixer
Minispin Centrifuge
Hot plate
Auto clave Centrifuge
Binocular microscope
ELISA reader
Colony counter

Extension

Wildlife Club of Madras Veterinary College was started in 1990. The following are the participatory activities of this club:

To inculcate knowledge about the behaviour of various species of animals and birds in the wild and captivity.
To conduct discussions and lectures with zoo veterinarians, naturalists and wildlife authorities, on the management, care, breeding, diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures adopted for the captive wild animals and birds.
To organize wildlife camps, bird watching programmes and nature treks
To conduct national and international conferences, training and workshops on wildlife related topics for field veterinarians and other target audiences.
To conduct various competitions on conservation of wild animals like quiz contest, oratorical competition in English and Tamil, Drawing competition, poster designing competition, Rangoli competition etc., during international tiger day, wildlife week and other day(s) marking wildlife conservation.

Disease investigations and wild animal management consultations

Staff from the department are called in to assist zoo veterinarians, forest veterinarians and wildlife non-governmental organizations in the diagnosis and management of disease episodes among wild animals.
Investigations carried out on the tumour-like growths of Nilgiri Tahrs, health management of captive temple elephants, treatment of Asiatic wild ass, Himalayan bear and tiger cubs at the AAZP and diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 outbreak among captive lions at AAZP are some of the instances where personnel from this department have played active roles.

Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation

Wounded and rescued birds and animals are brought in by enthusiasts and volunteers to this department for treatment and rehabilitation. Black kites, barn owls, Asian koels, Indian pitta, etc. were treated, successfully rehabilitated and set free or sent to the AAZP. Staff also assist in safe rescue and relocation of snakes that enter residential areas.

Molecular sexing of birds

The department offers DNA sexing service for psittacines and columbiformes using their feathers, at a nominal charge of Rs. 385 + GST per bird.

All India Radio and TV Programmes

Through programmes in All India Radio, TV and dailies, the public are enlightened about information on wild animals, their health and diseases including the conservation measures.

Avian and Exotic Pet Unit (AEPU)

An exclusive Avian and Exotic Pet Unit (AEPU) was established on 28.12.2015 in the Department of Clinics, Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital.
This specialized unit catering to treatment of exotic pet birds and animals is being operated by the department.
The unit functions on all days from 8.00 A.M to 11.30 A.M., where emergency and routine treatments are carried out. The students of TANUVAS also get trained in exotic pet treatment in this unit.

Faculty

Dr. C. Sreekumar, Professor and Head
Dr. A. Shanmugasundaram, Assistant Professor
Dr. A. Prathipa, Assistant Professor (On leave for higher studies)

The Professor and Head,
Department Of Wildlife Science,
Faculty of Basic Sciences, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai – 600 007.
Phone: +91-44-25369301
E-mail: hodwlsmvc@tanuvas.org.in