Hopes have brightened for wildlife in distress in the Palamu tiger reserve as the State Government has earmarked sizeable fund for the rescue and upkeep the animals. Sources said more than Rs9 lakh has been earmarked for the purpose.
DFO Core of the tiger reserve AK Mishra confirmed about the fund that has been allotted for this financial year.
This fund involves expenditures on tranquilizing gun, dart, essential medicines, deep freezer etc. Tiger reserve officials are to grapple with wild life in distress. last year cases of highly injured python were reported to this sanctuary.
The DFO told The Pioneer, “last year we got calls from public about python in their locality especially in Chainpur. The python was found in a very bad condition. Spears were pierced into its skin. We rescued it and tried hard to save it but in vain."
Also three deer were rescued from Garhwa district and brought down to tiger reserve in Betla on previous occasion. However these deer were slaughtered by some criminals. It was a terrible loss to this tiger reserve.
The officials with the help of sniffer dogs then retrieved the body of the deer with skin intact. Sources reminded that in summers deer stray into human habitat and fall in well thus getting their ribs or limbs fractured.
Survival of such injured deer has been very poor. One deer died of exhaustion and injuries in Chhaterpur last year. One other in Chainpur.
Cases of similar fatalities met by elephants and other wild animals have been coming in light at the National Park. Deadly disease Anthrax has also taken a toll of wild life here.
Member of State wild life board DS Srivastava has asked the PTR officials to be on guard against straying of cattle in the PTR which may infect diseases to the wild animals.