Translocation of spotted deer to KMT reserve evokes mixed reactions

While wildlife lovers are upset with the foresters for translocating the animal species-which they consider as Chennai’s very own pride, biologists demand an in-depth study and the continuous monitoring of the translocated animals.

Touted to be first longest translocation of spotted deer over a distance of 700 km without any casualty, the State Forest department that carried out the transit- which took more than 24 hours-had the transporting truck’s interiors designed to provide a forest-like ambience and also feed kept in it to reduce the trauma for the deer. A ramp was also placed for the safety of the animals, sources said.

Although there are around 1,500 spotted deer in and around Chennai and of this, 150 have been captured and released into nearby forests, the decision for translocation was taken this time, according to sources.

“I don’t encourage the translocation of wild animals. Further, these spotted deer are endemic to Chennai and is the city’s pride. Moving them away from Chennai is against the animal rights encroaching into their social life,” opined wildlife filmmaker Alphonse Roy. If the population of deer is high, foresters should think about a deer safari in Chennai and make the population sustainable by improving the greenery and water catchment area, he said. Translocation is diversion and not an ecological solution, Roy added. However, the filmmaker congratulated the wildlife team for successfully translocating the sensitive deer species without any deaths.

“We are against translocation of animals, but the deer was moved as a last resort. These animals have been used to feeding on junk and there were deer deaths due to plastic ingestion,” Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, chief wildlife warden told DT Next. KMTR had been selected as the translocation spot as the spotted deer population had dwindled in the reserve, and yellow paint has been applied on the animals to monitor them for some time, the top official added.

“There is a need for long term study on the translocated ungulate population and their survival. The foresters have attempted a new initiative, but the pros and cons can be ascertained only after scientific studies,” said conservation scientist A Kumaraguru.