Berhampur, Jan.12 ( Odisha.in ) Due to callouness of the authorities of Berhampur University though as many as 44 spotted deers are living in utter distress, very much under the nose of the State Forest and Wildlife Department officials, sofar they have not taken any step to save these innocent animals.
A deer park was started inside Berhampur University campus at Bhanja Vihar, in 1989 with only one male and one female deer. The University had spent Rs 20,000.00 for the park.The deers were gifted by the State Forest Department.
The Deer Park was established over only 2.8 hectares of land. In the meanwhile the number of these spotted deers have grown to 44 which include 11 adult males. There are a number of casuarinas trees over the park which provides too much shade and creats unhealthy atmosphere for the deers.
There is only one 10 feet X 5 feet cement tub and another small tub for providing drinking water to somany deers.
Though the deers need much food, the University is providing only 1.5 metric tonnes of food per month which is not adequate for 44 deers spending only Rs 1 lakh 20 thousand per annum which is not adequate.
There is only one caretaker and there are no veterinary doctors to take care of the ailing deers.
A spokesman of the University told Odidha.in that University is not in a position to allot more funds or space for the deer park. Though the University authorities had approached Nandankanan zoo authorities to shift the deers to Nandankanan, they have refused to do so.
When contacted, Dr. Ajit Patnaik, Director, Nandankanan Zoological Park told Odisha.com that Nandankanan is over populated with spotted deers .
When his attention was drawn towards the Deer Park of Berhampur University in Bhajana Vihar, he said that their present living condition blatantly violates the yard sticks of the Central Zoo Authorities which is punishable .
Dr. Patnaik suggested thatthe State Wildlife Department can try to rehabilitate these deers in suitable natural environment nearer to the present park so that the deers can adjust themselves in the local climatic conditions easily.
Though the deers are living under unhygenic and disress condition for long, neither the Central Zoo Authority, nor the N.G.O.s working for the wildlife have sofar come to their rescue.
Odisha.in