MADURAI: The forest department team that led the rescue operation a deer sambar who wandered into the commercial area of the Udangudi area v Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu was ranked under suspension due to violation of SOP and wildlife rescue methods. District Forest Officer Abhishek Tomar suspended three forest officials.
A sambar deer wandered into the shopping complex on Sunday evening. The local forest department was informed about the presence of the wild animal. The forestry team that arrived at the spot tried to catch the animal with a rope, but it fainted during the rescue and later died.
The locals complained that the forest team failed the rescue operation, as they did not bring any equipment. The team borrowed the rope from the locals, they added.
In a statement on Tuesday, the forest department said the animal’s post-mortem revealed death due to cardiac myopathy. It said that the police officer and the team that carried out the rescue operation were called to investigate. The inquiry revealed that the rescue team did not obtain the appropriate permission from the district forester for the rescue.
“During the rescue, the team violated standard operating procedures and wildlife rescue guidelines as she suffered shock and died when released in the forest,” it said.
Based on the enquiry, forest ranger R. Anand of Nazareth division, forest guard K. Kandasamy of Kachinavilai Beat and forest guard D. Joshua of Kayamozhi Beat have been suspended, the statement said.
A sambar deer wandered into the shopping complex on Sunday evening. The local forest department was informed about the presence of the wild animal. The forestry team that arrived at the spot tried to catch the animal with a rope, but it fainted during the rescue and later died.
The locals complained that the forest team failed the rescue operation, as they did not bring any equipment. The team borrowed the rope from the locals, they added.
In a statement on Tuesday, the forest department said the animal’s post-mortem revealed death due to cardiac myopathy. It said that the police officer and the team that carried out the rescue operation were called to investigate. The inquiry revealed that the rescue team did not obtain the appropriate permission from the district forester for the rescue.
“During the rescue, the team violated standard operating procedures and wildlife rescue guidelines as she suffered shock and died when released in the forest,” it said.
Based on the enquiry, forest ranger R. Anand of Nazareth division, forest guard K. Kandasamy of Kachinavilai Beat and forest guard D. Joshua of Kayamozhi Beat have been suspended, the statement said.