Four-Horned Antelope Fawn Rescued from Farmer's House in Latehar District
In a heartwarming wildlife rescue operation, a one-year-old female deer fawn, identified as a four-horned antelope and locally known as Kotra, was rescued from a farmer's residence in Bandua village, located in the Latehar district of Jharkhand. The incident occurred on Friday, with forest officials confirming the details on Saturday.
Rescue and Relocation to Palamu Tiger Reserve
The rescued fawn was carefully taken and lodged in the deer enclosure at the Garu East Range of the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Saturday, as stated by a forest official. Kumar Ashish, the deputy director of the south division of PTR, confirmed that the animal is indeed a four-horned antelope, a species known for its unique appearance and conservation significance.
How the Fawn Ended Up in a Farmer's House
N K Mahto, the range officer-in-charge of Balumath forest, provided insights into how the fawn came to be in the farmer's house. The fawn was found in the home of farmer Prafful Yadav and his family, who had been taking care of the animal. Mahto explained that the Yadav family owns goats, which regularly go grazing in the nearby jungles.
"A few months ago, the fawn reached Yadav's house along with the goats and from then on it was staying there," Mahto said. He noted that this behavior is particularly common with Kotras, as they tend to mingle easily with goats. "It happens especially with the Kotras. They mingle with the goats quite easily. It is a very common thing," the ranger added.
Repeated Attempts to Return the Fawn to the Wild
Interestingly, the fawn had been taken back to the jungles on two separate occasions, but each time it returned to Yadav's house. This persistence highlights the strong bond that had formed between the animal and the farmer's family, as well as the adaptability of the species in human-influenced environments.
The rescue operation underscores the ongoing efforts by forest officials to protect and conserve wildlife in the region, ensuring that such animals are safely relocated to their natural habitats or appropriate enclosures like those at PTR.
