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Sanjay Gandhi National Park badly needs a full-time taxidermist

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Realising the importance and need for taxidermists, Maharashtra wildlife department had submitted a proposal to the forest ministry to appoint a full-time taxidermist in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). There is only one taxidermist in India, a lecturer in Bombay veterinary college, who works part-time at SGNP.

Taxidermy is the art of stuffing dead bodies of animals to preserve them for display and educational purpose. Currently, Dr Santosh Gaikwad is the only taxidermist in India, who is active in this field.

Suhas Thorat, additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), said: "We have forwarded a proposal to the forest department demanding that a dedicated taxidermist be appointed at SGNP, where we have set up a small taxidermy department. We have been getting requests from across the country for animal trophies. We hope the government will appoint a taxidermist soon."

In taxidermy, the skin of a dead animal is removed, tanned and treated. The carcass is then moulded in plaster. The mould is used to produce a cast of the animal. Glass eyes and artificial teeth are then added.

"Slowly people are becoming aware of this art. But to meet the demand, we need trained people. This is quite a challenging job. I have the experience to make trophies of dead animals. Through training, people can learn this skill. Fifteen days ago we had organised a workshop on this subject." said Dr Gaikwad.

Dr Gaikwad, who has worked on several rare animals for zoos across the country, said: "Currently I am working on some projects—two lioness (Shobha from SGNP zoo and Jimmy from Byculla zoo) and one leopard (Raja from SGNP)."

Ever since the taxidermy centre was set up at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli in 2009, Dr Gaikwad has made more than 30 animal trophies. These include a Siberian tiger, a snow leopard, lion, a leopard, a python, an ostrich and more than 150 birds. The centre has also successfully preserved a 140-year-old turtle, which was found in a river in Pune.

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