U.S. team on a feasibility study for wildlife research
A delegation of four professors from Purdue University, Indiana, the U.S. visited forests in and around Coimbatore for a feasibility study to identify areas where researches could be done. The researches will range from solutions to man-animal conflicts, monitoring of wildlife diseases and their management, management of wildlife health and advisable methodologies in captive breeding.The delegation comprised professors Peter, Nour, Hugo and Sulma Mohammed and was accompanied by Pradeep K. Mallick of Wildlife Institute of India. Conservator of Forests P.C. Tyagi and District Forest Officer I. Anwardeen deputed a team of officers led by forest veterinarian N.S. Manoharan and Top Slip range officer Thangaraj Panneerselvam. They visited various reserve forests, sanctuaries and national parks in South India.
In Coimbatore the delegation visited Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, Corporation Zoo at VOC Park and reserve forests in Coimbatore. Corporation Zoo director S. Thirukkumaran took the delegation around the zoo. The delegation will also visit the Nilgiris, Mudumalai and Bandipur.
The forest department would identify the areas in which the delegation could deploy its infrastructure and expertise in carrying out researches to supplement the efforts of the department in wildlife and forest management.
