Non-Invasive Genetics

Majority of Tiger studies have relied on Conventional Techniques such as:

Surveys based on signs (e.g. pugmarks, scrapes, scat and urination pattern)
Interviews with local inhabitants
Camera trapping

Conventional techniques possess several disadvantages like:

Extended field time (~40-50 days)
High cost of field work

Genetic monitoring has become a established scientific and convincing data-collection approach with great potential for wildlife and conservation biologists

Modern Genetic technique, by exploiting individual uniqueness, can utilize variety of non-invasive genetic samples like:-

hair, feces, urine, feathers, shed skin, saliva, egg shells to collect critical data eg.,

To identify presence of rare or elusive species,
To count and identify individuals,
To determine gender,
To identify diet items,
To evaluate genetic diversity, population structure, and mating system.
To estimate wildlife populations without handling, capturing, or even observing individual animals.