M'luru: Implanting of microchips in King Cobras and other animals in Pilikula Biological Park

Pilikula Biological Park is one of the major zoos in India with more than 1200 wild animals including mammals, birds and reptiles.

Pilikula has undertaken captive conservation breeding of King Cobra and other animals. The main objectives of the zoo include conservation, education and scientific research of wild animals.

Since most of the animals of the same species look identical, microchipping is carried out to differentiate individuals easily. During the captive breeding programme to maintain the genetic lineage and to avoid inbreeding individual identification is important.

Pilikula zoo has taken up the tagging procedures for wild animals by implanting microchips. It is a tiny electronic device implanted under the subcutaneous layer of skin. Microchips has a separate receiver which consists of hand held scanner. Individual names of the animal and transponder numbers are recorded in stud book.

Microchipping of King Cobras selected for the captive breeding is underway.

Tagging with microchips to Tigers, Lions, and Panthers will be taken up. Some of the selected species including Stripped hyena, Wild dog, Indian grey wolf, sloth bear and crocodiles like Gharial and Nile species will be done.

During the process identification of sex will be done using sex probing instruments along with recording accurate length and weight.

To determine the sex in birds, DNA testing will be done. The implanted microchips are imported and microchipping will be completed within a month.

Scientific procedures of implanting microchips are done in the veterinary hospital of the zoo.

Implanted microchips can long last till lifetime.