<p>A four-year-old female spotted deer was shot dead allegedly by a poacher in the Bannerghatta National Park (BNP). The suspect, however, abandoned the trophy and ran away after seeing a forest officer. </p>.<p>Sources in the forest department said that the poacher appears to have entered the forest from Harohalli-Anekal Road which passes through the park. In view of the COVID-19 lockdown, hardly any vehicle travels on the roads that pass through or near the BNP. Reassured by this solitude, animals even venture out into human habitats. </p>.<p>Forest officials said they had been busy with taking steps to prevent wildfires and poachers might have taken advantage of the situation to hunt the animals. </p>.<p>“The deer was shot with a pistol and we are trying to track down the poacher. The guilty will face strict action,” said Prashanth, deputy conservation officer, BNP. </p>
<p>A four-year-old female spotted deer was shot dead allegedly by a poacher in the Bannerghatta National Park (BNP). The suspect, however, abandoned the trophy and ran away after seeing a forest officer. </p>.<p>Sources in the forest department said that the poacher appears to have entered the forest from Harohalli-Anekal Road which passes through the park. In view of the COVID-19 lockdown, hardly any vehicle travels on the roads that pass through or near the BNP. Reassured by this solitude, animals even venture out into human habitats. </p>.<p>Forest officials said they had been busy with taking steps to prevent wildfires and poachers might have taken advantage of the situation to hunt the animals. </p>.<p>“The deer was shot with a pistol and we are trying to track down the poacher. The guilty will face strict action,” said Prashanth, deputy conservation officer, BNP. </p>
