Mysuru zoo moves 52 surplus deer to Arabithittu forests

The animals were translocated after natural conditioning and without sedation

The custom-made container being lifted from the enclosure in Mysuru zoo.

Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysuru has successfully translocated 52 spotted deer that were in surplus in its collection to Arabithittu wildlife sanctuary near here and all the animals were said to have accustomed to the new habitat.

What is notable is that the authorities did not tranquilise the animals for shifting them to the forests but conditioned them naturally so that they freely moved into a custom-built wooden container kept in their enclosure. The container was carefully lifted and mounted on a truck using a crane and shipped to the sanctuary for the soft release (usually practised in the case of animals being taken care of for a long time).

Captive breeding had increased the deer population to 140. The surplus had exceeded the stipulated collection. The overcrowding forced the authorities to release the surplus into the wild. As per the animal collection plan suggested by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), the zoo should display not more than 30-40 deer.

On getting the consent from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), the zoo prepared to translocate 100 deer.

Speaking to The Hindu, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Member Secretary and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests B.P. Ravi said the method adopted while shifting about 130 deer to the herbivore safari at Kamalapur near Hampi in Ballari district was employed to translocate the zoo’s deer to Arabithittu. None of the animals were sedated and were translocated after natural conditioning, he added.

A makeshift enclosure at the forest ensured they got accustomed to the new habitat as our staff provided food which was gradually reduced so that they would fend for themselves, Mr Ravi explained.

With the deer being very sensitive, the possibility of them getting injured in the tranquilisation process was more. Therefore, the zoo adopted the conditioning method. The custom-built container was kept in the deer’s enclosure with feed. Once they got used to the container, it was shut after they got in and then lifted watchfully with a crane and placed on the truck, said Zoo Executive Director Ajit Kulkarni.

“In a span of 15 days, without causing any external injury, 52 deer were translocated to Arabithittu. This is one of the success stories of the zoo since the exercise was carried out in an utmost professional manner. The way the entire team handled the exercise was commendable,” Mr Kulkarni told The Hindu. The forest was identified for the translocation only after the area was studied and it was discovered that the habitat supports herbivores like deer with ample fodder availability, he added.

The zoo director said the remaining deer would be translocated in the next few days.