Three spotted deer found dead in two separate incidents at Chhattisgarh sanctuary

Raipur, Jul 10 (PTI) Three spotted deer were killed in two separate incidents in the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar forest division, officials said on Friday. Two male chital (spotted deer) were found dead during a routine forest patrol in the Rampur grassland under the Pakrid beat of the Barnawapara forest range on July 7, while the carcass of another was found in the same area the next day, they said. Post-mortem examinations of the two male deer were conducted by veterinarians at the government veterinary hospital in Kasdol, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Dhammshil Ganveer said. Preliminary findings suggested injury marks on the necks of both animals, indicating they may have died during infighting, he said. "No signs of attack by any carnivorous wild animal were found on other parts of their bodies during the post-mortem. Although blood stains were noticed around their necks, the exact cause of death will be confirmed only after receiving the post-mortem report. Prima facie, it appears to be a natural incident," Ganveer said. On July 8, another chital was found dead in the same grassland during a patrol, he said. Inspection of the carcass revealed clear injury marks on its neck caused by an attack from a wild predator, the DFO said. All body parts, including the antlers and hide, were found intact at the spot, he said, ruling out the possibility of poaching. A trap camera was installed in the area on the evening of July 8 to monitor wildlife movement, Ganveer said, adding that the forest department has been keeping a close watch without disturbing the animals' natural habitat. Forest officials and staff conduct regular patrols in the sanctuary to ensure the protection and conservation of wildlife, he added. PTI TKP NP