Ten deer died in a panic after a stray dog entered Kerala’s new Puthur Zoological Park, just weeks after its grand opening.
THRISSUR: In a tragic incident at the newly inaugurated Puthur Zoological Park in Kerala’s Thrissur district, ten deer were found dead on Tuesday morning after a stray dog attack triggered mass panic among the animals.
The zoo, which opened on 28 October, just weeks ago, had its operations suspended immediately following the discovery of the carcasses by animal care staff. Officials believe the deer died either due to injuries or fatal panic as they attempted to flee.
The exact sequence of events is still under investigation, but preliminary reports indicate that a stray dog breached the zoo’s perimeter, setting off chaos among the deer population. Authorities suspect that the animal entered the enclosures at night.
The incident raises concerns about security and animal welfare measures at the newly developed zoological park, which was inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as a modern replacement for the decades-old zoo in Thrissur city.
Zoo authorities have formed a panel to review safety protocols and enhance fencing and surveillance. The Kerala Forest Department is also expected to conduct an independent review into how the breach occurred.
The Puthur Zoological Park was envisioned as a state-of-the-art wildlife facility, aiming to improve animal care and promote eco-tourism. However, this early crisis underscores the urgent need for robust protection measures in facilities housing vulnerable wildlife.
