In the wake of recent incidents involving wild animals foraying into densely-population regions, the State government has decided to strengthen the team of veterinarians at the disposal of the Forest and Wildlife Department.
The Cabinet which met on Wednesday decided to create posts for appointing a chief forest veterinary surgeon and 12 assistant forest veterinary surgeons, who will be stationed at district centres. The officers will be appointed on deputation basis from the Animal Husbandry Department.
The panic created by the leopard which strayed into Kannur town and a bear which fell into a well in Erumeli, both within a week’s span, appear to have triggered the move. In both instances, the response of the department was found to be wanting, mainly owing to the delay in bringing forest surgeons to tranquilize the animals. Minister for Forests and Animal Husbandary K. Raju had stressed on the need to ensure veterinarians in each district to deal with unforeseen exigencies.
Currently, the Forest Department has four veterinary surgeons, including a Forest Veterinary Officer in the rank of assistant director, based in Konni. The others included two assistant forest veterinary officers, holding the rank of veterinary surgeon, in Thekkady and Wayanad, as well as a veterinary doctor in the elephant squad based in Wayanad.
According to official sources, the decision fulfils a long-standing demand that has been raised by the department. In the Kannur incident, while law enforcers adopted precautionary measures soon after the leopard was spotted, the animal could be captured only after around eight hours when Arun Zakharia, veterinary surgeon attached to the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, tranquilized the big cat.
Similarly, the bear that fell into a well after venturing into a human settlement in Koruthode could be taken out only around 14 hours after it was found by local residents. After it died while being transported to the Erumeli range office, there were claims that the large amount of water that had entered its stomach could have caused the death.
“While allegations of delays in either incident are debatable, appointing additional veterinarians will definitely facilitate speedy response in similar incidents,” an official said.
