Tranquilising Wild Animals

• 08 Jan 2025

Source: IE

Recently, a three-year-old tigress, Zeenat, was tranquilised and captured from the forests of Bankura in West Bengal and relocated to Odisha’s Simlipal tiger reserve.  

• Tranquilization is not only vital for conservation efforts but also for ensuring the safety of both the animals and human populations.  

What is Wildlife Tranquillisation? 

• About: 
  • Wildlife tranquillisation is the process of sedating wild animals using specific sedative drugs to safely capture, handle, or relocate them for various conservation, research, or rescue purposes. 
• Regulation: 
  • The use of tranquilizers is regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. 
  • In India, animal tranquilization is overseen by State Forest Departments under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, with support from trained veterinarians and expertise provided by the  Wildlife Institute of India (WII). 
• Methods and Tools: 
  • Tranquilliser Guns and Darts: The primary tool for wildlife tranquillisation is a dart gun, which delivers a syringe filled with sedative drugs.  
    • The dart is shot remotely from a distance, typically using compressed CO₂ gas to propel the dart. 
  • The dart is often equipped with a hypodermic needle and a barb to ensure that the drug is effectively administered under the skin.  
    • A tuft of feathers or other stabilising materials is attached to the dart to improve accuracy during flight. 
• Types of Drugs: 
  • Opioids: Drugs such as M99 (etorphine) used for immobilising large mammals like elephants and tigers. 
    • In wildlife tranquillisation, morphine can sometimes be used in combination with other drugs for immobilisation.  
    • Alpha-Adrenergic Tranquilisers: Drugs like Xylazine and Ketamine are commonly used in combination for sedating animals like deer and tigers. 
    • Xylazine acts as a sedative and muscle relaxant, while Ketamine helps to induce dissociation and extend the period of immobility. 
    • These drugs allow for more controlled sedations, with the capacity to reverse the effects using antidotes. 
  • Reversal Agents: Specific antidotes, such as Naloxone, are used to reverse the effects of tranquillisation. 
• Applications: 
  • Conservation and Relocation: Used to safely relocate animals from human-wildlife conflict zones or move endangered species to protected reserves. 
  • Research and Monitoring: Employed for capturing animals for health assessments, tagging, and studying migration patterns. 
  • Rescue Operations: Essential for rescuing injured or stranded animals, enabling veterinary care or transport to rehabilitation centers. 

 

India’s Efforts for Wildlife Conservation 

• Constitutional Provisions for Wildlife: 
  • The 42^nd Amendment Act, 1976, Forests and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds was transferred from State to Concurrent List. 
  • Article 51 A (g) states that it shall be the duty of every citizen to have compassion for living creatures. 
  • Article 48A mandates that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. 
• Legal Framework: 
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 
  • Environment Protection Act, 1986 
  • The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 
• International Collaboration: 
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) 
  • Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) 
  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 
  • The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC) 
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 
  • Global Tiger Forum (GTF) 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Q. If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication? (2020)

(a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant. 
(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances. 
(c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant. 
(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem. 

Ans: (a)