12 spotted deer die in Ranthambore

12 spotted deer die in Ranthambore
RAJESH SINHA

JAIPUR, JULY 10: Reports of deaths of cheetals (spotted deer) at the Ranthambhor National Park over the last ten days, coming along with the furore over tigers dying in Nandankanan Zoo, have caused concern in the Forest Department here.

A dozen cheetals have reportedly been found dead at different locations around Ranthambhor. While the cause of the death hasn't been identified yet, according to preliminary information available with the Forest Department, five cheetals were found dead near Khandar, located adjacent to the national park. All were suspected to have died of tuberculosis.

Chief Wild Life Warden R G Soni told The Indian Express that the animals could have contracted infection through contact with cattle by sharing water from the same water hole.

Seven other cheetals were found dead at two different locations near the national park during the last week. They appeared to have strayed out of the forest and said to have fallen prey to village dogs. Experts are sceptical of this explanation saying that it's not easy for fast-running cheetals to be hunted down by much slower village dogs.

In any case, this was an unusual occurrence. As for the animals straying out of the forest, on two different occasions and places, shortage of food or water in the forest area could be a reason.

Soni said samples from the dead animals had been sent to the laboratory for tests to ascertain the exact reasons behind the deaths. ``It would take some time before we can say anything with certainty,'' he said.

Report in 3 weeks: SC

NEW DELHI:The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to submit in three weeks the report of the high-level team probing into the death of 12 tigers at the Nandankanan Zoo and an action-taken report based thereon.

``What happened in nandan kanan zoo is very serious,'' a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice A S Anand said while hearing a PIL filed by Navin M Raheja seeking protection of tigers from poaching in wild.