Capacity building of front line staff of the forest department for ‘wildlife investigation using forensic techniques’

BACKGROUND

Capacity building of front line staff of the forest department for conducting the investigation for identification of species, individual is very essential. In Central India, a conflict-prone area which has presence of tiger, leopard, sloth bear etc, there is always an urgent need to confirm the species involved in conflict. Identification of the species involved in and causing the conflict is necessary to complete the official formalities like giving compensation, capturing the problem individual responsible in case of death of human being. In case of death of livestock, post mortem report and the identification of the species of the individual died, is important to disburse the compensation to the owner of the livestock. Identification of the species causing is also important to suggest the recommendation from management point of view, to avoid further conflict in the same area. Systematic investigation like forensic investigation helps to solve this issue. Training in forensic investigation helps front line staff to collect the samples from the conflict place for DNA analysis in precise way. Confirmation of animal species involved in conflict helps forest department to take the proper action like tracking the problem animal/individual or capturing the problem animal. If the action to be taken from the forest department is delayed, the problem animal may cause more conflict cases resulting in more human deaths. In that case, shooting orders for the problem animals are issued by the government. Also, death of human being if not investigated properly results in negative attitude towards the government agencies hampering the other conservation work in that area.

DESCRIPTION

Using forensic techniques and DNA analysis during wildlife investigation, front line staff of the forest department can identify the species/individual involved in conflict. This helps forest department to take action like capture/shoot the problem animal, giving compensation to owner of livestock/relative of human died in conflict. Also, front line staff investigate the crime scene/ conflict scene for collecting supporting evidences to link it to other conflict cases so that problem species/individual can be identified. Considering these ground realities, we have developed a training program for the front line staff of the forest department and veterinarians from the Animal Husbandry department to conduct the investigation using all sophisticated techniques of forensic science which helps in identifying the problem animal and other supportive evidences on the basis of DNA analysis from the laboratory. This results in swift action to identify the problem animal, capturing the particular individual and shifting it to the captive facility and also in quick disbursement of the compensation to the owner/relatives. The one day training involves pre lunch session and post lunch session. First session includes theory introducing participants about wildlife forensics and different forensic techniques for sample/evidence collection. Post lunch session includes the practical hands on training where participants perform the demo investigation and sample collection, DNA analysis, preservation, labelling and transportation to the diagnostic laboratories. Dr. Bahar Baviskar, wildlife veterinarian who has taken the training in wildlife forensics gives the training. At a time around 30-40 frontline staff is being trained to allow them hands on training.

PRINCIPLE

The training is based on the principle of capacity building of the front line staff to conduct the wildlife investigation in precise way. The sample collection is the most critical part of the forensic investigation where we are most focused on. Creating demo scene and allowing participants to collect the samples for DNA identification gives them an idea about the process involved in sample collection. Collection of the correct samples in the proper manner helps in identification of the species/individual involved in conflict. This identification of species/individual is very crucial as further strategy to capture the problem animal, providing compensation to the owner of livestock/relative of human died in conflict depends on the laboratory reports. Any delay in the identification of the problem animal results in further conflict as the problem animal is not captured/shoot/transferred to the captive facility.

CONDITIONS OF SUCCESS

Participants are given hands on training which gives them confidence to conduct the investigation on their own. The participants are given forms to assess and evaluate their level of knowledge pre and post training which indicates the success of the initiative. Significant differences between pre and post training evaluation was used as an indicator for the success of the initiative. Feedback is also collected after completion of the training which clearly indicate that the training programs are really essential for conducting the wildlife investigation.

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