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Injured Sambar Rescued from Himachal River Dies During Veterinary Treatment

A large Sambar deer was rescued by a forest department team after being found injured on the banks of the Tirthan River in Himachal Pradesh. Despite being admitted to a veterinary hospital, the animal succumbed to its injuries overnight. A committee has been formed to investigate whether the death resulted from the injuries or possible poaching. The incident highlights the threats faced by the Vulnerable Sambar species, including habitat loss and poaching.

Key Points: Rescued Sambar Deer Dies in Himachal After River Rescue

  • Sambar rescued from Tirthan River
  • Died during veterinary treatment
  • Cause of death under investigation
  • Species listed as Vulnerable
  • Second deer may be missing
2 min read

Himachal: Rescued Sambar from River Tirthan dies during treatment

A large Sambar deer rescued from the Tirthan River in Himachal Pradesh has died during treatment. Forest officials are investigating the cause of death.

"A committee had been formed to ascertain the cause of death. - Banjar Forest Department DFO Manoj Kumar"

Manali, February 4

A Sambar, a large deer native to South and Southeast Asia, was injured and trapped in the Tirthan River on the border between the Banjar sub-division of Kullu district and the Bali Chowki area in Himachal Pradesh.

The animal was rescued by a forest department team. It is the largest deer species found on the Indian subcontinent and is widely recognised for its robust build and impressive antlers.

The injured Sambar died around 11:15 PM during treatment at the Banjar veterinary hospital, after which the forest department cremated it on Wednesday afternoon. The post-mortem report also revealed that the animal was injured.

However, it is yet to be ascertained whether the animal died due to injury or if any poacher was involved. The forest department is gathering the information.

According to the information received, villagers informed the forest department last evening that a Sambar was lying injured on the banks of the Tirthan River. Upon receiving the information, the forest department team arrived at the site with a tranquilliser gun. The Sambar got scared on seeing the team.

During this, the Sambar also tried to run away. However, it was already injured, which prevented it from running very far. The forest department managed to control it with great difficulty and admitted it to the animal husbandry department for treatment.

However, due to the severity of the injuries, it died last night. Banjar Forest Department DFO Manoj Kumar said a committee had been formed to ascertain the cause of death.

A post-mortem of the Sambar was also conducted in the presence of the committee members. This confirmed that it had sustained injuries. However, some villagers have also claimed that a smaller Sambar was present with it, and it is now being searched for by local people and the forest department.

The sambar is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Their population is declining due to habitat loss, poaching, and industrial exploitation.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

M
Manish T
This is heartbreaking. Sambars are such majestic animals. The villagers did the right thing by informing the authorities immediately. Kudos to them for their alertness. The real issue is habitat loss and poaching - that's what needs to be addressed on a war footing.
R
Robert G
While the rescue effort is commendable, I have to ask - was the use of a tranquilliser gun the best approach for an already injured and scared animal? Could it have added to the stress? Just a thought. The intentions were good, but we must always refine our wildlife rescue protocols.
A
Arun Y
Himachal's forests are a treasure. Stories like this remind us how fragile our ecosystem is. The committee must investigate thoroughly, especially the poacher angle. If it was poaching, the culprits must be caught and punished strictly. Jai Hind.
S
Sneha F
Poor creature. At least it was given a respectful cremation by the forest department. That shows care. My heart goes out to the forest guards and vets who must see such sad outcomes despite their hard work. 🙏
V
Vikram M
The fact that it's listed as Vulnerable makes this loss even more significant. Every individual animal counts for the population. We need more awareness in villages bordering forests - they are the first line of defense for our wildlife.

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