VETERINARY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THENI

The Laughingthrush Wildlife Club of Veterinary College and Research Institute, Theni is functioning since 2022 with Dr.P.N. Richard Jagatheesan, Dean, VC&RI, Theni, as president. The organisational structure of this club contains Dean as President, a Vice President, four faculties as technical advisors, staff members, student executive members and student members.

Every year eminent persons in wildlife science and conservation were invited for talks and practical sessions to give exposure to the students. As a part of wildlife club activities, a two-day lecture cum practical session on the “Importance of reptiles and birds in maintaining the ecosystem” was conducted on 28.07.2023 and 29.07.2023 by Laughingthrush Wildlife Club of Veterinary College and Research Institute, Theni.
Dr. P.N. Richard Jagatheesan, Dean, VC&RI, Theni and President, Laughingthrush Wildlife Club delivered the presidential address.On 28.07.2023 Dr. C. Sreekumar, Professor and Head, Department of Wildlife Science, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai delivered Guest lectures on “Understanding snakes” and “Envenomation in livestock”. Dr Venkataramanan, R, PhD, Professor and Technical Officer to Vice-Chancellor, Post Graduate Research Institute in Animal Sciences, Kattupakkam delivered guest lecture on “Bird behaviour”. In the evening, along with Dr. C. Sreekumar and Dr. Venkataramanan students from first, second and third professional years participated in “Backyard Bird watching” in the hillock adjoining VC&RI, Theni. They learned about different species of birds and recorded calls of birds.
On 29.07.2023, selected students were taken on nature walk and bird watching in the nearby forest ranges under the accompaniment of personnel from the Forest department. Students along with Dr. C. Sreekumar, Dr. Venkataramanan and the staff of VC&RI, Theni recorded 54 species of birds. Birds like Blue bearded bee-eater, Common hawk cuckoo, Grey fronted green pigeon, Crested tree swift, Oriental honey buzzard, Crested serpent eagle, Crested Goshawk, Malabar barbet, Coppersmith barbet etc were recorded. The lecture and activity on birds and bird watching benefitted the students immensely.
In 2022, renowned wildlife photographer and expert Mr. Ravindran Natarajan, Founder Iragugal Amirtha Nature Trust, Madurai delivered lectures on “Ethics in wildlife Photography” and “Bird watching basics.” On 08.05.2022, an activity titled “Nature walk” was organized in the forest areas near Adukkam and Kumbakkarai falls, under the accompaniment of personnel from the Forest department.
Bestowed by its strategic location, lying at the foot of the Western Ghats, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Theni is ideal place for knowing, learning, conserving and treating wild life. The wildlife club is serving its purpose since its inception.

"Tamil is called nectar and it is equal to our lives," said revolutionary poet Bharathidasan. Veterinary College and Research Institute, Theni will be a crutch for students to not only excel in veterinary science but also in Tamil literature. In advance of that, Porunai Tamil Mandram is functioning from 02.06.2022.