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Inbreeding prompts plan to shift deer to Vandalur
Inbreeding and resultant genetic disorders among the spotted deer population inside Guindy National Park have become a cause for concern and the Forest Department has formulated plans to relocate a section of the animals to the reserve forest areas in Vandalur
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
Last year, the department had trapped and relocated about 300 free-ranging spotted deer from the areas surrounding Guindy National Park to the reserve forest areas in Vandalur. Sources in forest department told DT Next that the plans have already been submitted to the government and they are awaiting the approval from the government side.
“Inbreeding is causing serious genetic disorders among the spotted deer population inside Guindy Park. The relocated free ranging deer are now cross breeding and we have a health deer population in Vandalur,” K Geethanjali, city wildlife warden said. As per current estimates Guindy National Park has about 1,000 spotted deer and 438 black bucks. Geethanjali said that the entire surrounding of the Guindy National Park has been secured with a compound wall and there is no way the deer could stray out of the park.
The general biological health of the spotted deer population in the Guindy National Park is said to be weak. The animals suffer from skin problems, physical disability and deformed external organs. “We cannot divulge the details of the plans as we are awaiting a government approval. However, plans are on the anvil to manage the issue of inbreeding,” Geethanjali added.
Deer Diary
- Guindy National park at present has 1,000 spotted deer and 438 black bucks.
- There has been a steady decrease in population of spotted deer at Guindy National park.
- The number of spotted deer at Guindy National park in 2007 was about 1,200.
- Inbreeding a major cause for diseases and deaths of spotted deer.
- Earlier, Forest Department authorities used to trap healthy free- ranging deer from outside and release them inside to allow them to cross breed.
- The free ranging spotted deer, about 300 of them were trapped and relocated to Vandalur last year.
- Spotted deer are highly sensitive and can collapse under stress and this delayed the decision on relocation.
- Forest authorities claim that they have effectively contained the straying of deer from Guindy National Park.
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