Niali: The mystery behind the spate of sheep deaths in Niali area was unearthed in the wee hours of Monday, but not before the death of three more sheep which might have fallen victim to the creature.
While the predator, a wolf-like animal, was captured by some villagers at Nakdihi near Niali after it entered the pen of Sarbeswar Senapati, three more sheep were mauled by the unknown animal at Bada Kokara village under Nuagaon panchayat, the same night.
The death of three sheep occurred after 2am when the yet to-be-identified creature entered the shed of Sahadeb Sahu through a small crevice. Two sheep are still missing.
Notably, the wolf-like animal was caught at Nakdihi after it entered Senapati’s goat shed and fell into a pit when Sarbeswar was awakened by the noise and commotion. The creature was trying to escape from the pit when the villagers attacked it and tied it before handing it to the forest officials.
The officials, however, identified the creature as an ‘Indian Wolf’ and have transferred it to the Nandanakan Zoological Park.
On receipt of information, Khurda district honorary wildlife warden Sanjib Kumar Das expressed concern over the way the animal was captured.
“The animal was handled in a brutal manner while capturing it. It was injured and bruised. The forest officials should be very alert otherwise the villagers may kill the wild animals,” said Das.
Significantly, Jayant Kumar Das, deputy director of Nandankanan Zoological Park also confirmed the injuries. “The animal received minor injuries and it is under observation,” Das added.
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