Dhenkanal: The population of deer in Kapilash Wildlife Park has been increasing. This is a good sign but the forest department is worried over the rise in deer population.
In fact, keeping a large number of deer in a limited space of the park has been a headache for the department. It has thought of relocating some deer to other places.
Meanwhile, the forest department has sought permission of the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) to shift deer from the park in a wildlife sanctuary in a phased manner.
The deer park, located at the foothill of Kapilash hill is an added attraction for tourists coming to Kapilash shrine. It was set up on five hectares of forest land in 1979.
Later, the park was renovated and the area was expanded to 26.64 hectares. In 1986, it was declared as a mini zoo while it got recognition of Central Zoo Authority of India April 1, 1995.
Now, the park plays host to about 300 wild animals including deer, sambar, elephants, bear, crocodile, various bird species and reptiles. But deer population has increased.
In 2019, the park had 160 deer (65 males and 95 females) and four sambars. The number of deer has touched 200 and sambar to 5. Female deer are kept in a special enclosure in the park.
Animal keepers take care of the animals. It is often found that deer fight with each other in a limited space. Many of them get wounded in fights.
This has increased the task of animal keeper and veterinarians. In fact, the zoo is capable of accommodating a maximum of 30 deer, but it now accommodates deer seven times more than its capacity.
Earlier, two to three deer died for various reasons every year. A veterinary doctor has been engaged for the care of deer.
Space constraint has been a problem for deer, the department has decided to shift 150 deer in a wildlife sanctuary. However, wildlife activists observed there is a need for proper planning before relocation of the deer.
“It is to be seen if the deer grown up in captivity can survive in the natural habitat,” they noted. DFO Dr Prakashchand Gogineni said as per zoo guidelines, nearly 30 deer can stay in the park.
“As their number has gone up to 200, the PCCF has been suggested for relocation of 150 of them to Kapilash wildlife sanctuary,” he added.
PNN
