MYSURU: In yet another sad news emerging out of the reserve forests in the State, five spotted deer and seven barking deer were found dead on the fringes of Metikuppe range of Nagarahole Reserve Forest in HD Kote taluka on Thursday morning.
Conservator of Forest and Director of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, S Manikantan, suspected that the animals might have died after feeding on some seeds in a nearby agricultural field and then drinking water from a stream that is mostly dry. However, he said the exact reason of the death will be known only after forensic reports of samples sent are analysed.
The official said that the stream which runs along the forest border witnesses deers on a regular basis, normally during the evening hours.
Currently, the stream had almost dried up and there was little water about a feet at one place which is about 600-700 meters from the forest. The pulses in the nearby agricultural field had dried up.
Dry water holes
Out of 28 water holes in Metikuppe range, 22 have dried up and the Forest Department has done its best to fill water in a few of them through solar pumps and diesel generators. Sources said that it was common for the spotted deer and barking deer to stray out of the forest at the said area, in order to raid crops.
Since the incident occurred outside the forest, Metikuppe RFO has lodged a complaint at HD Kote police station. The forest department has filed a case under Wildlife Protection Act.