NCBS researchers develop non-invasive scent analysis for tigers and leopards

Researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bengaluru have developed a non-invasive technique to determine the age, sex, and reproductive status of tigers and leopards by analyzing chemical signatures in their urine and scat.

The method focuses on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemicals used by animals for communication. By using silicone sorbent tubes and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the team identified specific chemical markers. Notably, they detected elevated levels of the compound 2-nonanol in pregnant and lactating wild tigresses, allowing for the identification of reproductive status through scent alone.

The study, conducted in collaboration with Ahmedabad University and supported by the National Geographic Society, involved samples from zoos in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Vadodara, as well as urine samples from 28 wild tigers in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Lead author BV Aditi Prasad noted the method's simplicity, stating, "The advantage of this method is its simplicity. Samples are easy to collect and the analysis is much easier than genetic testing."