After Nagarhole, six deer found dead in BRT Reserve

Consumption of contaminated water, pesticide-laden crops suspected

Close on the heels of the death of five deer and as many wild goats at Nagarahole National Park, six deer were found dead under suspicious circumstances at Biligiri Ranganathaswami Tiger (BRT) Reserve near here on Friday.

The carcass of three stags and three spotted deer were found at a field near Hondarabalu village in Chamarajanagar taluk. Forest officials said that although the deer had traces of blood on their nostrils, they were unsure if the animals were poisoned. The officials suspect that the animals might have either consumed contaminated water or eaten crops that had been sprayed with dangerous pesticides.

The carcasses were spotted 200 mts from the reserve forest. Forest department personnel, who were on a patrol on Friday morning, found the dead animals within a 50 mt radius and alerted top officials.

BRT in-charge Conservator of Forests and Director R Ramesh Kumar, ACF Shivashankaraswamy and K Gudi RFO Nagendra Naik visited the spot.

Ramesh Kumar told DH that it is common for wild animals to stray into villages on the borders in search of food and water as most water sources have dried up. He said the cause of death would be ascertained after getting the post-mortem report. Kumar however, did not rule out the possibility of the animals being poisoned. He said a probe would be initiated.

‘Protect black bucks’

Environmentalists have expressed concern over death of black bucks at Nallur, Jyothigowdanapura and Amruthaboomi on the fringes of BRT forests. They complained of wild boar menace in the region with a few owners illegally erecting electric fencing instead of solar fencing.

Environmentalists rue that this has turned into a death trap for the black bucks, spotted deer and the wild boars. They demanded Forest department and Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited, Mysuru, to take stern action against farmers who erect illegal electric fences. The department should immediately take measures to protect black bucks, they said.