Monday, October 17 2005 10:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: In a high-tech initiative to tackle wildlife crimes, a premier research institution here is evolving a method to apply DNA analysis to preserve fingerprints of endangered species and to crackdown on poaching.

The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) here would soon have a laboratory testing facility that would enable DNA finger-printing of threatened wildlife species, bringing in the process hi-tech techniques in handling wildlife crimes.

"A team of scientists are working on the design of DNA finger-printing of tiger at present and the technology will be ready within 10 to 12 months," RGBC Director M Radhakrishna Pillai told PTI. The RGCB would start with DNA analysis of tigers and later would extend it to other protected wild animals, he said.

The project was initiated as per the guidance of Union Ministry of Science and Technology in view of increased number of poaching of tigers at Sariska wildlife sanctuary.

In wildlife crimes, DNA analysis allows forensic experts to answer a wider range of questions than before, Pillai said.

Citing an example, Pillai said it could help determine not only whether samples collected during an investigation were of the same species but also whether they originated from the same animal.

"We will make ready the technology tool and it is for law-enforcing agencies to use the same in investigation," he said.

If a person was arrested with tiger skin, with DNA technology it would be possible to identify the particular tiger from which the skin was taken, he said.

"If the authorities have the fingerprints of the person taken into custody, we can establish whether the person himself was involved in poaching," he said.

DNA analysis can be used for species identification, gender determination, establishing parent-offspring relations and population identification of wildlife animals, he said.