A leading scientific facility in Hyderabad on Tuesday announced it had successfully implemented India's first case of artificial insemination in spotted deer with the birth of a fawn.
Lalji Singh, director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), said with this feat, India had joined a select club comprising Australia and the United States.
Singh told reporters that the fawn had been born following a non-surgical, intra-vaginal procedure. A group of scientists led by CCMB Deputy Director S Shivaji worked on the project.
The artificial insemination was part of a long-term project by CCMB's Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES).
Three female deer were inseminated following estrus synchronisation. After four and a half months, one of the animals conceived.
The fawn "Spotty" was delivered on March 14. She is now being kept at Nehru Zoological Park here along with her mother.
Singh also announced that CCMB was making preparations to clone a cheetah in collaboration with a team of scientists from South Africa. The team will visit CCMB and interact with scientists here. The cheetah is on the list of endangered species in India.
South Africa is willing to be a donor for the cloning. Earlier, CCMB had discussed the project with Iran, but it was not willing to be a donor, officials said.
{{/usCountry}}South Africa is willing to be a donor for the cloning. Earlier, CCMB had discussed the project with Iran, but it was not willing to be a donor, officials said.
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