The Sambhar recovery enclosure under the buffer area of tiger reserve at Bareysarn had the taste of two elephants recently when the jumbos broke down its barbed wire fencing a fact confirmed by the DFO buffer Mahaling.
DFO buffer Mahaling said ' This enclosure for Sambhar is specially for them to reproduce and multiply its numbers as its number has dwindled fast and this wild life is on the verge of near extinction here if steps for its more and more generation is not done and this Bareysarn enclosure is aimed at increasing its numbers'.
Sambhar is a one baby year wild life unlike the tiger which gives a litter of cubs an year.
Sources said there were two staff at this Sambhar enclosure when the two elephants stormed into the enclosure who quite intelligently saved themselves.
When reminded that a mere barbed wire fencing around this enclosure spread in 15 hectares is not elephant proof Mahaling said ' This is very true. Elephant trench is required to keep the elephant at bay'
A herd of 35 Sambhars is to be brought in this
enclosure for multiplication of its number and once able to stand on their feet and can fend for its food these Sambhars are to be released in the tiger reserve.
The import of 35 Sambhars from Khunti has to be finally cleared by PCCF said sources.
Sambhar is the favourite prey of tiger.
The consignment of 35 Sambhars is to come here in this enclosure from Khunti.
Sources said about forty lakhs of rupees has been spent on this enclosure which has besides other infra structural facilities has one 'Patrol Chowki' .
This Patrol Chowki will be manned by the PTR personnel.
Sources said when the two elephants raided this enc;losure there was not a single Sambhar there.This enclosure may be termed also as 'Captive Breeding' space for Sambhar.
Field director cum chief conservator of forest M P Singh is too concerned about the food for the carnivore like tiger and leopard as he
admitted over the years in this PTR the prey base just ran down like anything forcing many carnivores to either go for a kill of the farmers' cattle or keep hungry too.
lack of adequate food robs the tiger and other carnivore of its reproductive capacity.