HYDERABAD: The lives of more deer are being lost on the University of Hyderabad (UoH) premises due to canine attacks.
The forest department last year recommended the varsity officials to reduce the number of stray dogs in the campus and fill breaches in the perimeter wall. However, Forest officials did not get any response.
On Friday, a female spotted deer died after it was attacked by canines, and another got injured after it was chased by stray dogs in the campus on Sunday. On January 3, Police recovered deer meat from Sports Authority of TS rifle shooting range, located in the university premises.
With all their suggestions falling on deaf ears, the Forest department officials are planning to send another strongly-worded letter and hold a meeting with UoH officials to underscore the threat to wildlife in the campus.
The university is home to spotted deer, monitor lizards, hares, snakes, porcupines, and other wildlife.
In the month of May 2015, the department officials addressed a letter to the then Vice-Chancellor of UoH, listing out incidents where spotted deer were killed, and a list of suggestions.However, officials of the department said they did not get any response from UoH authorities then.
“When packs of dogs chase a deer, it could get injured while running by hitting a boulder or tree. Though deer are physically strong, they get affected mentally when injured, and are more likely to die because of the mental effect on them” said the official.
Some university officials are mulling to shift all deer from the campus to resolve this issue. If the proposal gets approved, it will be tabled with the Telangana Forest Department.
Dear oh deer!
Telangana Forest Department’s letter to UoH VC in May-2015 to take measures for reduction of stray dogs in the campus and fill breaches in perimeter wall did not get any response. The department is planning to send another letter and hold a meeting with university officials to underscore the issue