16 Spotted Deer die at Katraj Zoo; probe on

PUNE: In a disturbing incident, 16 spotted deer - 14 female and two male - died last week between July 6 and July 12 at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Centre in Katraj.

- Gayatri Vajpeyee

The deaths have sparked fresh concerns regarding the welfare of animals in captivity at what is one of Maharashtra's most visited zoos apart from prompting an investigation by veterinary experts and disease specialists.

According to officials, the cause remains unknown however precautionary measures have been taken and samples of food, water, and tissue have been sent for laboratory analysis to rule out any possibility of foul play.

The deceased deer were part of a herd of around 98 spotted deer-also known as Chitalhoused in a dedicated enclosure built as per Central Zoo Authority (CZA) guidelines.

Dr Ghanshyam Pawar, veterinary officer at the zoo, said, "This is unprecedented in the zoo's history. We observed an unusual increase in mortality among the spotted deer over five to six days. There are no visible signs of a contagious outbreak, but the sheer number of deaths in such a short time is concerning."