Number of spotted deer declines from 523 to 503 at Van Vihar
| Date :07-Apr-2019 |
Staff Reporter:
Despite providing better conservation to the spotted deer at Van Vihar National Park, their population has decreased from 523 to 503. Reason for declining population of spotted deer has been cited by officials as rising population of jackals and wild dogs in the park premises.
The park officials said that population of jackal in Van Vihar has been increased from 76 to 94 and now they are targeting spotted deer in group. The park management has recently conducted census of herbivore animals in which population of peacock, black bug and jackal has been increased while spotted deer popularly known as ‘cheetal’ have been decreased. Van Vihar officials said that general population of spotted deer rises easily but for past two years their population has been declined.
Census report of Van Vihar during year 2017 showed 506 spotted deer while in year 2018 it was 523. During year 2019 number of cheetals at Van Vihar are 503. Sudesh Bagmare, former Deputy Director of Van Vihar, said that population of jackal has been increased which is sign that they are preying spotted deer easily as their food. He said that general group of jackal attacks one month old deer very easily and this is the main reason of witnessing decline in number of spotted deer. Besides, there are also wild dog in the park premises. Dogs too prefer spotted deer as their favourite food.
Former forest conservator A K Baronia said, increasing population of jackal is not good for the deer. He said Van Vihar management should now pay attention towards the issue and do jackal management in a better way. Dr Ashok Kumar Jain, Deputy Director Van Vihar said, “street dogs are not allowed in the park premises. However, in some case, dog enter the area but we are making best effort to keep the campus safe for wildlife. Further investigation will be made for population of jackal, dogs and spotted deer.”