standardization of records keeping in indian zoos - Central Zoo ...

Unfortunately it doesn‟t exist. Therefore while marking animals one has to choose
from a variety of methods that meet one or more of these criteria. Very often two
methods can be used in combination, each method chosen to compensate for the
deficiencies of the other.
An ideal mark should not;
1. Cause death.
2. Have sub lethal effects on fitness, e.g. reduced growth or reproductive rates.
3. Influence the behavior of marked individuals.
4. Influence the behavior of other animals towards the marked individual.
5. It should not alter over time e.g. colored ear tags may fade from one color to
another causing confusion as to the identity of an individual (to prevent this
confusion for example red ear tag fades into pink over time then the color
change should be properly recorded in the animal history card).
GENERAL SAFEGUARDS FOR MARKING ANIMALS
1. Humane, for ethical and public relations reasons.
2. Devices and methods must be selected carefully, where there is a choice,
choose a device that has a size, weight and configuration appropriate for the
animal species‟ size, behavior and habitat (e.g. Device that minimizes any
adverse effects on the animal).
3. Only experienced and / or well trained personnel who are proficient in the
method should carry out marking.
4. Accidental injury during marking should be immediately treated.
5. Personnel must minimize the transmission of infectious disease and parasites
between animals during the marking procedure.
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