Goa to probe death of wild animals

PANAJI: Goa forest department has initiated a probe to find out whether poaching led to the recent death of two wild animals in the state's wildlife sanctuaries.

While carcass of a bison was recovered from Mhadei sanctuary last week, a sambar deer was found grievously injured in Keri village located inside the Netravati wildlife sanctuary. Later the animal succumbed to its injuries.

Keri in Sattari taluk had gained notoriety earlier this year when a tiger was poached and burnt by unidentified persons in the village who peeled its skin.

Officials of the forest department said a probe has been ordered into the incidents. "The exact cause of the deaths will be known only when we receive the postmortem report," deputy conservator of forest (North) M K Shambu said.

Shambu, who heads the team probing the sambar deer case, said no arrests have been made so far. Though local media reported that there was a bullet injury on sambar's body, the Forest Department officials maintained that the exact cause of the animal's death can be known only after the autopsy.

In case of Bison's death, deputy conservator of forest (South) M K Bidi said the range forest officer (RFO) has been asked to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident.

"The forest department will probe about the possible poaching by villagers. The postmortem report will further propel the inquiry," he said.