Liquid Nitrogen LN2 offers a effective mechanism of preserving semen at an extremely low temperature (-196 degrees centigrade). It is believed that freezing semen to this temperature would allow its preservation for decades if not centuries. The semen obtained is diluted wth various semen diluters (mainly egg yolk-buffer-glycerol based) and packed in small tubes (0.25 to 0.5 ml). These are then cooled and frozen in stages till they are finally dipped in liquid nitrogen and kept there in canisters. At the time of use they are simply thawed by placing in water bath at 37 degree celcius for 30 seconds.

These sheep and goat herds travel through the heart of the city to reach their summer abodes.

Here they can be seen taking a break in the urban jungle..

The Lynx is a critically endangered member of the cat family. It is found in parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. Unlike its cousins, the tigers, lions and leopards, a Lynx is comparatively small.

The animal in these pictures resembles a Lynx in its appearance. It was found lying injured and unconscious in a village near Sopore 35 miles north-west of Srinagar. A vet Dr. Mir Wahid Ahmad Nazki tried to revive the animal but because of injuries received on its skull, the animal died shortly.

Dr. Nazki who is a keen wildlife enthusiast immediately identified the animal as the endangered Lynx. It is relevant to mention here that no report of a Lynx sighting has even been officially made in the Kashmir valley. It’s only in the north-eastern region of Ladakh (especially Nubra Valley) that Lynx are seen. However, Dr. Nazki is very confident of his conclusion and has no doubts over the animal being a Lynx. According to him the cat which weighed up to 4 Kg’s was a juvenile which might have accidently strayed in to the village.

We are publishing the pictures here and hope our readers can confirm whether the animal is a Lynx or not. If it is, as Dr. Wahid Nazki claims, it gives hope to the conservation efforts and future of this rare and threatened specie of cats. Maybe nature is giving us another chance to protect this beautiful animal.

Dr. Wahid Nazki