KARWAR : Fishermen and forest officials rescued a sambar from the sea near Karwar on Monday.
The deer, which had come close to a human habitat apparently in search of water, was chased by a pack of dogs before it jumped into the sea from a small hillock.
The fishermen and forest officials, who were informed by the locals began the rescue operation. Many fishermen swam to spot and some others reached it in small boats to pull it ashore at Ravindranath Tagore beach.
The deer, which was terrified by the dogs was unable to respond to rescuers. After a one-hour struggle, the deer was finally pulled to the shore.
The forest officials said the deer was attacked by dogs near Koli Nala and it started running. In a bid to escape from them, it took a plunge into the sea. “The locals, who were watching the dogs chase the deer, informed the forest department and the police,” said an official.
The deer was taken to the local veterinary hospital for treatment and was kept under observation at Kajubhag nursery.
“We have released the deer in Mingini forest of Gopishitta range in Karwar taluk from where it could have possibly strayed into the city,” the official added. While rescuing the deer from the sea, photographer Pandurang Harikantra was injured.
According to local fishermen, a similar incident had happened last year, but sadly the sambar had been dead by the time it was rescued. “It’s common during summer that wild animals come close to human habitats in search of wate,” said a local fishermen.