By IANS
Hyderabad : For the first time in the world, scientists here have succeeded in artificial insemination of a black buck by non-invasive method, leading to the birth of a live fawn.
Scientists at the Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) of the prestigious Centre for Cellular Molecular Biology (CCMB) here are excited about their success.
“This is the first successful artificial insemination in the world in oestrus-induced black buck, by non-surgical intra-vaginal insemination,” director of CCMB Lalji Singh announced at a news conference Friday.
He said while surgical intra-uterine insemination, an invasive procedure, has led to the birth of young ones of cheetah, leopard, puma, wild cat and deer in other countries, this was the first time that a non-invasive procedure was used, which is preferred by wildlife biologists.
The animal delivered a live fawn Thursday, after six months of pregnancy.
A total of three females were inseminated non-surgically. After 55 days, one of the animals conceived when examined by ultrasonography and the conception was confirmed after 125 days.
Indian black buck, also called kala hiran, is an antelope. It is an endangered species. According to the 1990 census, the population of this animal was 38,000 but the numbers have fast dwindled due to poaching.
The scientists said this success could form the basis for future attempts to increase the number of other endangered animals.