As many as 276 deer from Cuttack’s Deer Park have been shifted to Bharatpur and Ambilo under Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary. However, two deer have died during the shifting process, forest department sources said on Wednesday.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Chandaka Wildlife Division Sarat Chandra Behera said, “Around 276 deer have been shifted from Cuttack Deer Park to Ambilo and Bharatpur. Two deer have died during the shifting process. They might have died of shock due to their relocation to a new area."
"We are taking care of the deer and providing them with adequate amount of grass. We have given them anti-stressed medicine under the guidance of doctors and professors,” Behera added.
It is to be noted that the shifting of deer from the Deer Park at Tulasipur in Cuttack was carried out as per the directive of the Orissa High Court and Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
The Central Zoo Authority had withdrawn its recognition for Cuttack Deer Park citing lack of adequate space for the animals in 2021.
Subsequently, the Forest department had initiated the process for shifting of the deer from the overcrowded park to the temporary rescue centre (special enclosure) set up at Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary.
However, the local residents and some outfits had opposed the shifting of deer from the Deer Park. Later, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Mayor Subhash Singh informed that all deer would not be shifted citing that the park is an important heritage of the Millennium City.