Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in a recently held meeting of Academic Council has established a Centre of Wild-life Studies and Research. The centre is located in the College of Veterinary Science under the administrative control of Dean, College of Veterinary Science. The centre will have all teaching and research facilities with well established diagnostic laboratory set up, record keeping mechanisms for digitalizing of the data of wild life diseases, computerized laboratory and an annexe for imparting training to wild health specialists. It will also provide specialist services to address problems or exigencies emanating from the zoo. The centre started functioning today with Dr Kirti Dua, Professor and former Head of Department of Veterinary Medicine, joining as In-charge of the Centre.
After taking the charge, Dr Dua elaborated that presently there is no comprehensive specialized centre to address the problems faced by wild and zoo animals in Punjab. University experts often visit the zoo premises for therapeutic or surgical interventions and also provide regular consultations for better redressal and assistance to state wild life agencies in areas of mortality investigations, disease preventions and management problems. The establishment of a Wild-life Centre in GADVASU will help to solve problems of wild and zoo animals which also suffer from myriad of diseases having zoonotic potential. Besides, such animals are most vulnerable to poaching problems due to avarice mind-set of hunting public and escalating financial value of many species of animals requiring much needed awareness in the public about wildlife-related issues and regarding the safeguarding of this national wealth.
Dr HS Sandhu, Dean of College of Veterinary Science told that the stage of wild life studies and research is very much in its infancy with few systems and protocols established and thus it requires numerous research and development of more and new techniques. The establishment of wild life centre would facilitate detailed understanding of how the health of wild and zoo animals can be optimally managed using specialization in fields such as genetics, molecular biology, reproductive technology, nutrition, environmental physiology, behavioural sciences. Dr Sandhu thanked Vice-Chancellor Dr V.K.Taneja for his visionary approach and establishment of the centre.
GADVASU in future is also planning to establish a mini zoo in the university to support conservation of endangered and rare species through breeding under captive conditions besides educating, motivating and creating awareness in the society about the need for conserving wildlife, biodiversity and natural resources. The creation of a Mini Zoo at GADVASU will also be an educational experience for students of schools and budding veterinary professionals. The wild-life centre and mini zoo may also be used for rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wild animals.
