Necropsy protocol
There are a number of generic necropsy protocols available to the wildlife vet or biologist such as those compiled by McAloose et al (2018), Munson (2000) or Woodford (2000), but few specifically taylored for those wishing to investigate the causes of death in free-ranging tigers. However, the Wildlife Institute of India has recently published a technical report (Nigam et al. 2016) in which is presented a professional, practical and comprehensive approach to the necropsy of wild tigers, and it is suggested that all tiger range states adopt this protocol where resources allow. Even where resources are limited the general approach can be followed with advantage. By this means it would be possible to develop consistency of investigation across the tiger’s range and allow meaningful comparison of mortality patterns in different habitats.
The WII necropsy protocol can be accessed here. The National Tiger Conservation Authority of India also publishes a pocket-size field guide “Standard Operating Procedure for Dealing with Tiger Death”. (This can also be viewed on pages 7-36 of Standard Operating Procedures/Guidelines, NCTA, November 2019).
Images below illustrate approaches and expected anatomy of the tiger
Midline approach to tiger necropsy
Anatomy of the tiger digestive system
Approach to the tiger chest cavity
Tiger pluck: larynx, trachea, lungs and heart
Tiger liver
Opening the pericardium of the tiger
Tiger spleen