Laboratory for Aquatic Biology
Ex-Situ Research, Breeding & Clinical Care
Established in 2014 in partnership with the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, at the Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre (KGRC), the Laboratory for Aquatic Biology (LAB) serves as specialized facility for freshwater ecosystem research. Operating under UPFD’s Endangered Project, WSAFI advances scientific research on reproductive biology, artificial incubation protocols, neonatal health, and captive survivorship. Through ongoing veterinary care, dietary optimization, and facility enhancements, the LAB delivers specialized medical, husbandry, and rehabilitation support for rescued aquatic wildlife, generating empirical data to guide state and national conservation policies.
Specialized Chelonian Research & Baseline Studies
To fill critical knowledge gaps in freshwater species biology, WSAFI maintains dedicated study cohorts for high-priority species, including Hardella thurjii, Chitra indica, Batagur kachuga, and Melanochelys tricarinata. The LAB conducts rigorous evaluations on hatching success, age-specific dietary preferences, growth trajectories, fitness metrics, and health/blood profiling. These baseline studies directly refine ex-situ breeding and head-starting protocols at KGRC, ensuring maximum survival rates for captive-bred cohorts released into wild habitats.
Our Partners
