IBCA and GZRRC jointly organised PRIME-CAT 2026, bringing together veterinary professionals and wildlife conservation practitioners from 20 countries.
Read More →The Programme for Integrated Management & Excellence in Big Cat Health (PRIME-CAT) was organised jointly by the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) from 5th to 9th October 2026 in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The programme brought together veterinary professionals and wildlife conservation practitioners from 20 countries to strengthen technical knowledge, share experiences and promote best practices in big cat health management, welfare and conservation.
The programme commenced with an ice-breaking session on 4th October 2026, during which Dr. S.P. Yadav, Director General, IBCA, and officials from GZRRC welcomed the participants and outlined the programme objectives and learning journey. The session emphasised the importance of collaboration and the One Health approach in safeguarding the health and welfare of big cats.
The inaugural session on 5th October began with opening remarks by Dr. Brij Kishor Gupta, Director, GZRRC. Dr. S.P. Yadav, Director General, IBCA, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the vision and objectives of PRIME-CAT. Ms. Radhika Parsana, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Jamnagar, attended as the invited guest.
The academic sessions included a presentation by Dr. Yashveer Bhatnagar on snow leopard conservation and a talk by Dr. Sindhura Ganpati, Principal Scientific Advisor Fellow, Government of India, on One Health and transboundary disease risks.
Day 2 focused on practical exposure through a field visit to the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. Participants gained insights into animal care, routine monitoring, nutrition and diet management, and animal health and welfare practices, highlighting the importance of evidence-based approaches to wildlife care.
Day 3 combined field visits to Vantara's Big Cat Care Facilities with technical classroom sessions. The sessions covered major infectious diseases, zoonoses and biosecurity; clinical examination and immobilisation protocols; safe transportation of wild animals; advanced laboratory techniques for big cat health surveillance; and conservation-oriented wildlife management practices. These engagements provided participants with practical insights into the clinical and operational dimensions of big cat health management.
Day 4 featured technical sessions on sample collection, storage and transportation by Dr. S. Bharathy; diagnostic tools in clinical pathology and parasitology by Dr. Neha Pant and Dr. Reshmi Raveendran; and digital communication strategies for wildlife conservation by Dr. Manilal V.
Participants also visited the Central Laboratory and Animal Rescue Centre, gaining further exposure to diagnostic facilities and wildlife rescue operations.
Day 5 addressed the role of veterinary science in responding to wildlife emergencies and supporting conservation outcomes. Dr. Ajay Deshmukh and Dr. Riyaz Kadivar delivered a session on "From Conflict to Conservation: The Veterinarian's Role in Wild Large Feline Rescue," followed by Dr. P.A. Kalaignan's session on rescue, rehabilitation and release of big cats.
A panel discussion on "Big Cat Conservation Challenges" provided a platform to deliberate on policy, field management, veterinary practice and international cooperation. The programme also featured case studies based on real-world scenarios, guided problem-solving, participant presentations and peer learning.
Throughout the programme, PRIME-CAT integrated classroom learning, field exposure, technical demonstrations and professional exchange to strengthen participants' understanding of big cat health management. It also highlighted the importance of disease surveillance, diagnostic preparedness, animal welfare, rescue and rehabilitation, and cooperation among veterinary professionals and conservation institutions.
PRIME-CAT 2026 represents an important step towards strengthening professional capacity and fostering international collaboration in big cat conservation. The knowledge and experience gained during the programme are expected to support the application of improved practices in participants' respective countries and contribute to sustained cooperation for the health, welfare and long-term conservation of big cats and their habitats.
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