Exotic buffalo semen stolen from sperm bank in Haryana

Authorities in Haryana have found themselves in a spot after a large quantity of Murrah buffalo semen went missing from a “well protected” sperm bank in Hisar.

An exotic breed, a Murrah costs almost double a high-speed motorcycle. It gives up to 32 litres of milk daily. The authorities were caught off guard after the theft came to light recently. It is suspected that the semen has been smuggled to other states while attempts have been made in the past to smuggle it abroad, sources said.

Though official figures pegged the loss at 500 doses of semen straw, sources said thousands of semen straws could have actually gone missing.  The semen, preserved in liquid nitrogen in freezing temperature, is stored in heavy containers. Officials said the theft was handiwork of the bank’s security personnel, who were lured by a rogue network. Security has been strengthened to stave off thieves.

The semen is used for artificial insemination and sold to other states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, at a high price. In 2011, a dairy farm owner in Hisar had tried to smuggle 5,000 semen straws to Egypt, said sources.

Murrah is one of the most sought after cattles in the country. They have sashayed on the ramp in the past. Maharashtra has sought 1,000 Murrahs from Haryana to develop the breed there. They are used for natural insemination in cross-breeding and taken to remote areas where artificial insemination centre’s are not available. A Murrah buffalo can cost more than Rs 2 lakh. Last year, Haryana had supplied 957 bulls to Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Punjab. The demand for the breed has nearly doubled.