Spotted deer killed in canine attack, another strays into residential locality

A spotted deer.
| Photo Credit: Representational Photo

Two incidents of wildlife distress were reported from Serlingampally on Friday, both involving spotted deer. The first one was reported from the University of Hyderabad (UoH), where a stag died after being attacked by feral dogs.

As per information gathered from eyewitnesses, the animal was alive when the university’s security guards rescued it from the dogs, but died on the way to the Nallagandla Veterinary Hospital.

Forest officials confirmed the death of the deer, and said the carcass was buried in the Mrugavani National Park after post-mortem examination.

Students alleged that the spotted deer lost their hideout due to clearance of greenery in 100 acres of Kancha Gachibowli, and hence are more vulnerable to canine attacks.

One more deer, also a male, strayed into a residential locality in Gopanpally Tanda, and was found by the local people who alerted Animal Warriors, an NGO involved in animal rescue operations.

Pradeep Nair from Animal Warriors said the animal was injured in one leg, and was under severe stress when he reached the location. A veterinary team from the Nehru Zoological Park was rushed to the location with a plan to tranquillise the stag before shifting it.

However, tranquillisation efforts could not calm the animal which was surrounded by crowds, and the team had to shift it into the ambulance in a dazed state. Deputy Director (Veterinary) from the Nehru Zoological Park M.A.Hakim confirmed that he had dispatched a team for the rescue of the stranded deer.

While it is not established from where the stag had strayed, students of the UoH allege that it had escaped from the university due to habitat destruction.