Biotechnology lifeline for critically endangered wildlife

Researchers at France's Haute-Touche nature reserve develop techniques to aid the conservation of threatened species

It's 9am and the rush is already on in the animal operating theatre at Haute-Touche nature reserve in central France. Seven operations on Japanese Sika does (Cervus nippon) are scheduled between now and lunchtime. With each procedure lasting 20 to 30 minutes, there's no time to be lost.

Assisted by two technicians, Katia Ortiz, one of the team's vets, carries an anaesthetised deer into the theatre where biologist Yann Locatelli and his assistant are waiting in full surgical gear.

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