Not just the forests of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, forest fires, which started on April 29, ravaged a large area of the Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Agra.
“In the aftermath of the horrific fire that broke out at Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Agra earlier this week, hundreds of birds, reptiles and animals were killed or injured, and several hectares of forest damaged. The fire was reportedly caused by a spark from the high-voltage wires that pass through the sanctuary to provide electricity to the neighbouring villages. The Electricity Department has been requested to address the safety issues and dangers, but is yet to do so,” said a release issued here by Wildlife SOS, a non-government organisation working for welfare of animals, on Thursday.
Threat to bear centre
Located within the vast acres of the sanctuary, India’s largest bear rescue centre also came under threat. Run by Wildlife SOS, the Agra Bear Rescue Facility presently houses over 210 sloth bears.
Among the many animals severely affected by the disruption and damage caused by the fire were a hog deer fawn and wild boar piglet. Both were found orphaned.
It is suspected that the parents perished in the fire leaving the babies to fend for themselves.
The piglet had injured its forelimb, while the fawn was weak from dehydration.
The Forest officials handed over the baby animals to Wildlife SOS for medical care and treatment.
The Indian hog deer ( Hyelaphus porcinus ) is an endangered deer species found in South and South-East Asia. It gets its name from the hog-like manner in which it runs through the forests, with its head hung low, instead of leaping like most other deer. The Indian hog deer are hunted for their meat, which is used in traditional medicinal products, and for their trophy antlers. The Indian boar ( Sus scrofa cristatus ) is a subspecies of the wild boar, native to India, Nepal, Burma, western Thailand and Sri Lanka.
Both animals are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Awadh Bihari, Range Forest Officer (Keetham) said: “Forest officials immediately alerted Wildlife SOS so that they could conduct a thorough medical examination of the weak and injured animals, and give them necessary treatment and care.”
Illayaraja, the vet from treating the animals at Wildlife SOS, said: “The hog deer fawn was extremely weak and dehydrated from lack of food and water, whereas the piglet had sustained an injury on its forelimb and there was also some minor bleeding on its hoof. In addition, it was unable to open its eyes properly due to accumulation of eye discharge. Both animals are currently under treatment and observation.”
Stating that they are relieved the forest fire has now been extinguished and the bear rescue facility spared during the devastating forest fire, Kartick Satyanarayan, the co-founder of Wildlife SOS said: “Wildlife SOS is providing medical treatment to affected birds, reptiles and animals that need help and will assist the Forest Department in rescuing and treating distressed wildlife.”
Once the rescued animals recover fully and are certified fit for release, they will be released into the wild in the presence of the Forest Department officials.
Forest officials have given the baby animals to Wildlife SOS for care and treatment
