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Wildlife trophies come under microscope

P. Oppili

Facility to take pictures of hair structures

SPOTTING THE DIFFERENCE: The Wildlife Department's newly acquired microscope that helps to detect fake wildlife trophies.

CHENNAI: Identifying a fake wildlife trophy is no more a difficult task.

The Deputy Director of Wildlife (Southern Region) has acquired a microscope to check the genuineness of wildlife trophies. Hitherto, the authenticity of the trophies was established by checking the morphological characteristics such as pattern, colouration on the face, ears and other body parts. Micrography of hairs help to detect faked skins. When carnivore skins are seized, the investigators examine the morphological characteristics. As a secondary measure, the facility for preliminary microscopic examination has been made available in the Southern Regional office, say officials.

The instrument was acquired to obtain an opinion on the characteristics of the seized skin before it is sent to the Wildlife Institute of India and Zoological Survey of India for confirmation by experts.

It is a standard microscope with a camera with which digital images of hair structures can be taken. It was purchased at Rs. 50,000 a few months ago, officials said.

A few years ago, basic dyes were used to create imitative patterns of fake skins. These could be identified using organic solvents. But with the advancement in technology, those dealing with trophies started using herbal dyes, making it difficult to remove the dyes with solvents. Patterns were also being imitated more skilfully these days, a senior wildlife officer said. To make it resemble an original skin, traders removed the tail completely or left just a short stub.

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