Mammals Section

The Mammal & Osteology Section at Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is a beacon of excellence dedicated to the comprehensive study of mammalian species and their skeletal structures. Boasting an extensive collection of 32,000 specimens, including 300 Type collections, representing various mammalian species, this section plays a crucial role in enriching the National Zoological Collection. An impressive 71% (323 species) of the 450 Indian mammal species, including 28 endemic species, find a place of pride within this collection. From the enchanting Etruscan pygmy shrew (Suncusetruscus), the world's smallest mammal, to the majestic Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), the largest mammal on Earth, this assemblage showcases the remarkable diversity of mammalian life in India. Carefully preserved as dry, wet, and osteological collections, these specimens serve as invaluable resources for scientific research and educational purposes.

Beyond contributing to the advancement of mammalian knowledge, the Mammal & Osteology Section actively engages with parliamentary queries concerning mammalian diversity, distribution, endemism, and conservation, among other crucial aspects. Additionally, the section proudly extends its expertise to various law enforcement agencies, offering invaluable insights into wildlife protection and conservation. A testament to the section's impact and authority is its instrumental role in proposing the amendment (enacted in 2022) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. By providing essential information on the conservation status, population, and threats faced by Indian mammals, the section has left an indelible mark on wildlife protection legislation.

The dedication and proficiency of the team at the Mammal & Osteology Section reinforce its position as a leading authority in mammalian research, conservation, and law enforcement support. With an unwavering commitment to the preservation and understanding of India's precious mammalian heritage, the section continues to serve as a vanguard in zoological exploration and protection.

Research: The Mammal & Osteology Section spearheads research in diverse fields, prominently contributing to status survey assessment, monitoring the free ranging population of rare, endangered and threatened (RET) mammals in various landscapes and understanding the pertinent threats and their conservation needs. Embracing the cutting edge of modern genetic and genomic tools, the section delves into unveiling species distribution, demographic patterns, and systematic relationships among mammalian populations. This approach enables a deeper understanding of the evolutionary history and genetic diversity within species, critically informing conservation strategies for India's unique mammalian heritage.

The dedication and expertise of the Mammal & Osteology Section are further highlighted through significant discoveries as the section has made the ground-breaking research, uncovering new mammalian species and contributed significantly to the field of conservation biology. The section's notable discoveries include:Gee's Golden Langur, Jenkin's Shrew, Namdapha Flying Squirrel, Narcondam Shrew and Sela Macaque. These discoveries exemplify the section's commitment to unraveling the complexities of biodiversity and advancing the understanding of species boundaries and evolutionary patterns.

Conservation/ Taxonomy: The Mammal & Osteology Section is deeply committed to conservation and taxonomy activities. Through their research efforts and extensive collection, the section contributes significantly to understanding the distribution, abundance, and threats faced by mammalian species in India. The section actively engages in two new survey projects, studying and exploring the wild populations of Kiang and White Cheeked macaques, utilizing modern tools such as non-invasive genetics monitoring, genomics, and metagenomics.

Identification and advisory services: The section plays a pivotal role in wildlife forensics, providing expert identification services for the confiscated mammals, parts, products and derivatives from various law enforcement agencies across India. Since the inception of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the section has been assisting the law enforcement agencies in providing the identification services and over the years, the section has issued more than 600 advisories, bolstering efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade and protect endangered species. The officers often receive summon from the various courts to provide expert opinion and cross examination of the  advisory during legal prosecution.

Education and Outreach: The Mammal & Osteology Section is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of mammalian biology and conservation. The section is blessed to host galleries e.g. Zoological & Osteological gallery to display the charismatic and rare specimens collected from India and several other countries for public viewing for education and awareness purposes.In addition, the section also offers customized training workshops on various specialized topics. These workshops cater to professionals, researchers, and law enforcement authorities, covering subjects such as Conservation Genetics, Wildlife Forensics, Comparative Osteology, and Handling and Processing of Confiscated Materials and demonstration of the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) used in crime scene investigation, collection, preservation of diverse evidences and evidence analysis. Through these workshops, participants gain valuable insights into cutting-edge research techniques and the application of advanced tools in mammalian conservation and wildlife forensics.

Collection/Holding: The section's extensive collection of 32,000 dry and wet specimens, including 300 Type collections, is a treasure trove of mammalian diversity. This vast and meticulously curated collection serves as an invaluable resource for research, education, and conservation initiatives.Of the total collection, about 27,741 belong to 323 species of Indian mammals and about 1,218 collections belong to 105 exotic species of mammals.The four regionally extinct mammal species from India namely, Asiatic Cheetah, Javan Rhinoceros, Sumatran Rhinocerosand Banteng are also represented in this collection. 

Section Staff and Expertise:

Contact Us: For any inquiries or collaboration opportunities, please reach out to the Mammal & Osteology Section Head,

Mukesh Thakur, Ph.D., C.W.F.S.           

Scientist D & O/c - Mammal and Osteology Section

Coordinator - Centre for Forensic Sciences

E.mail: thamukesh@gmail.com, mukeshthakur@zsi.gov.in

Stay updated with our latest news and discoveries by following us on Instagram :congen_wfc