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The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Like owner, like dog
Every blood donor is a hero and that includes the one with four legs. In G.K.M. Kabbir's home, there are currently four donors who move about on four legs — these are his canine pets, Rowdy, Cocoa, Racket ( belonging to Kanni breed) and Rusty Kutti (Chippiparai). Kabbir has drawn up an uncompromising blood-donation schedule for them — they experience the gentle piercing of a retractable needle every three months. 'All my dogs are donors,' says Kabbir, a retired process audit consultant who lives in Chintadripet. 'I have had more than 30 dogs over the years with eight dogs at my home in one time,' says Kabbir. He began to get his dogs to support blood donation drives ten years ago. A friend's dog had met with an accident and Kabbir received a frantic call seeking blood. The dog was in the emergency and Kabbir rushed with Rusty to the Department of Clinics at Madras Veterinary Hospital in Vepery. Rusty, a Chippiparai breed had been adopted by Kabbir and his family and lived with them for 14 years until its death. 'I still remember the scene at the hospital ward. Family members were in tears as their dog was really serious. It was a miracle to see the dog being saved and a memorable one for me too,' says Kabbir, who has himself donated blood (obviously, for human patients) 35 times. Over the years, Rusty has been a champion donor, donating blood for more than 10 times. For World Blood Donors Day in 2019, Rusty received the Best Blood Donor award from TANUVAS. 'Rusty's blood group is rare; he was a universal donor so it was much sought-after,' says the proud owner. Once a pet parent flew down from Mumbai to get Rusty's blood from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences (TANUVAS) University's Animal Blood Bank at Madras Veterinary Hospital. Most of Kabbir's dogs are healthy so he makes it a point to get them into this habit after they turn one-and-half years old. The only criterion Kabbir insists upon is that the doctor is well-trained in the job. 'It pains me to see the dog getting multiple pricks to get the vein, so I am selective about the hospital,' says Kabbir. In most cases, donors arrange an auto or they come in their vehicle. After every life-saving act, the pets are treated with food supplement or a medicine is given to help them recover quickly. Kabbir has made many friends over the years by volunteering for canine blood donation. Says Kabbir: 'One has become a close friend after one of my dogs saved theirs, so when I was abroad they took care of my dog for five days.' Donate blood, get incentives 'We need more pet owners to volunteer to get their dogs to donate blood and we are happy to give them a red carpet treatment for their gesture,' says G. Bharanidharan of Chennai Small Animal Veterinarians Association (CSAVA). Launched in 2022, the blood donors club brings together dog owners and veterinarians for medical assistance. 'Donors will be given annual vaccination and deworming coupons and other freebies from any of our 120 private clinics in Chennai that are registered with us. If a person from Ambattur needs blood for his pet, we will connect them to a clinic in the neighbourhood,' says Dr Bharanidharan. To sign up, call 73050 73050
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Nilgiri tahrs recover lost habitats in Tamil Nadu: Survey
Nilgiri tahr UDHAGAMANDALAM: Nilgiri tahrs have been sighted in Periyattumalai in Coimbatore division after a decade, according to the second synchronized survey of Nilgiri tahrs in Tamil Nadu which concluded on Sunday. Also, new colonization was confirmed in the Pasumalai block in Chinnamanur range in the Megamalai division, an indication of habitat recovery . Under the Project Nilgiri Tahr (launched in 2023), the four-day synchronized survey of Nilgiri tahr -- the state animal -- was conducted in 176 survey blocks of 14 forest divisions across the state. Herds were sighted with kids, according to a press release. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The survey included the collection of tahr pellets for parasitic and carnivore's scat for understanding the parasitic species presence and its life cycle in association with Nilgiri tahr. Seven tahrs were sighted in the lowest elevation (240 m MSL) survey block in Peyanar Varaiyattu Mottai. This is one of the finest cliff and escarpment terrain blocks where tahr is using a dry thorny landscape. 'In the Mangaladevi survey block in Megamalai division, where the species was believed to have moved out, pellets of tahrs were recorded. Thus, the presence of the species is ascertained with evidence,' said M G Ganesan, project director, Project Nilgiri Tahr, who led the survey. The collected pellets and carnivore scat samples in ethanol vials are to be sent for laboratory analysis, especially parasitic analysis in the Wildlife Division at TANUVAS (Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University). Good population was sighted at Grass Hills National Park in Valparai and Mukurthi National Park in the Nilgiris. These two meta populations are vital for maintaining these fragile grasslands, said Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, department of environment, climate change and forest. She said, 'Pavetta oblanceolate, a critically endangered flora species, was recorded in Anamalai during the survey.' Ganesan said, 'After digitization, processing and interpretation of data will be done with research personnel and experts'. Experts from TANUVAS, project scientists and a team from WWF participated in the survey with 800 field staffers covering a 2,000km distance.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Second synchronised survey of Nilgiri Tahr concludes; sightings in former habitats indicate population recovery, says forest department
The second synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr, Tamil Nadu's State animal, has concluded successfully, according to a press release issued by the Environment, Climate Change & Forests Department. Conducted under the ongoing Project Nilgiri Tahr, the large-scale survey was completed on April 27 across 176 survey blocks in 14 forest divisions. Nearly 800 field staff were deployed, collectively covering around 2,000 kilometres of challenging terrain. According to the release, Nilgiri Tahr were sighted in most survey blocks, with encouraging signs of breeding, as many herds included kids and young individuals. A particularly notable observation came from the Periyattumalai area in the Coimbatore division, where Nilgiri Tahr were once again spotted after being rediscovered there last year following a decade-long absence, the release said. Similarly, sightings in the newly colonised Pasumalai block in the Chinnamanur range of the Megamalai division indicated healthy habitat recovery. Notably, seven of the ungulates were sighted at even the lowest elevation, just 240 metres above sea level, in the Peyanar Varaiyattu Mottai block — a dry, thorny escarpment terrain. The survey also recorded pellets in the Mangaladevi block of Megamalai division, where the species was previously thought to have moved out. As part of the survey, field teams collected Nilgiri Tahr pellet samples and carnivore scat for parasitic analysis. These samples are being prepared for detailed laboratory study at the Wildlife Division of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS). The goal, the department said, is to understand parasitic species and their life cycles in association with the Tahr. Populations were reported to be especially healthy in the Grass Hills and Mukurthi National Parks — two critical habitats considered key for the survival of the species. Photo documentation from these areas supports the continued importance of these ecosystems. The survey was led by M. G. Ganesan, Project Director; Ganeshram, Assistant Director; Chendura Sundaresan, Forest Range Officer, along with research personnel and experts from TANUVAS and WWF India. Top officials including IUCN country representative Yash Veer Bhatnagar, Additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra monitored the survey.
