The Forest Department is trying to dispel the notion that many animals were burnt alive in the fires that have ravaged large parts of Bandipur.
In the past few days, photographs of animal deaths have been forwarded and uploaded on social media, linking them to the forest fires in Bandipur. While the images may be genuine, they do not pertain to Bandipur and are from other countries, said officials. They pointed out that there was even an image of a burnt orangutan, which is not found in India. “Animals instinctively keep a distance from fire. No animals were seen by us during the firefighting operations. At the most, some eggs and young ones of reptiles and birds may have died,” the department said.
Kits distributed
Meanwhile, donations by way of bottles of drinking water, snacks, torches and fruits have been sought from the public. The donations are being routed through Mysuru zoo.
Krithika Alanahally, honorary wildlife warden, impressed upon a few corporate bodies the need to donate, and Zeus Biotech responded. She handed over 80 kits, each containing an air filter mask, gumboots, helmet, eye gear, full-arm shirts, and cotton pants, for use in firefighting operations.
