An ailing bison calf received help from forest officials here on Tuesday. Enquiries made by The Hindu revealed that in the morning some of the residents of Finger Post and other surrounding areas near here had come across two adult bisons and a new born calf. They had informed the police who in turn had alerted the forest department.
However before the forest staff of the Nilgiris North Division could locate them, one of the adult bisons had moved into the nearby forest.
On seeing the calf lying down, they managed to separate it from the adult — which was presumed to be its mother — and take it to the veterinary hospital here.
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When examined it was found that the bone of one its hind legs was brittle. It was treated for minor injuries and released close to the waiting adult bison at the Aramby reserve forest.
When contacted, the District Forest Officer, the Nilgiris North, S. Ramasubramaniam said the calf which was just a few days old was very weak. Its condition would be monitored as far as possible.
To a query, he said that contrary to speculation among certain sections of the society, bisons are not straying into the towns because of inadequate water in the jungle. The possibility of getting green fodder may be making them take the risk of straying into the towns.
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The bisons are generally nocturnal and timid. Unless they are cornered, they will not attack. Stating that their population is also growing on expected lines, he said that people should neither scare nor provoke them.