Gunned down antelope dies during treatment

NASIK: A wounded antelope found in Mamdapur-Shivar in Yeola tehsil town was succumbed to its bullet injury while being treated by an Animal Husbandry dispensary doctor last night, according to police.

Police suspects that some unidentified persons should have wounded the antelope by shooting from their rifle in Rajapur area in the district in their hunting-practice. Passing by farmers found the antelope and informed the Forest Department officials. The officials rushed to the spot along with doctors and it died while being treated, police said. The hunters, who allegedly came on vehicles, fired at the antelope but they fled from the spot when villagers gathered there hearing the noise of rifle-firing.

Medical officer S K Kurhe examined the wounded animal and found that bullet hit it at right-leg and also near neck but it could not be survived.

Many deers and antelopes are moving in Rajapur jungle in the district and the area villagers are demanding to declare the jungle as deer's sanctuary.