Sambar Deer Spotted on Busy Guwahati Road, Sparks Wildlife Concerns
Residents of Guwahati were taken by surprise on Friday morning when a Sambar deer, classified as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, was observed wandering along the bustling RG Baruah Road. Videos and photos of the unusual sighting quickly went viral on social media, eliciting a mix of delight and concern among locals and wildlife activists alike.
Forest Officials Launch Search Operation
Ashwini Kumar, the divisional forest officer (DFO) of Assam State Zoo, stated that the deer is believed to have strayed from the nearby Hengrabari reserve forest. "Even though these animals are open species and often roam near the reserve forest area, straying onto the road in broad daylight has happened for the first time," Kumar explained. Despite two days having passed, forest officials have yet to locate the animal.
Kumar confirmed that a search and rescue operation has been initiated to find the deer and return it to its natural habitat. "Our teams, along with the Kamrup East forest division, are trying to locate the animal to ensure a safe return. The priority is to avoid causing stress to the animal, as well as to prevent any risk to the public," he added.
Long-Standing Issue with Urban Encounters
An anonymous official from the state zoo revealed that such incidents have been occurring for a long time. The official noted that these animals are commonly spotted in areas like Gitanagar and Japorigog, which are close to the reserve forest. "Despite the zoo being in close proximity to the reserve forest, there is a clear boundary wall that separates the two," the official emphasized.
While the recent deer videos have gained viral attention, there have been previous instances of people filming themselves feeding stray deer, highlighting ongoing human-wildlife interactions.
Conservationists Warn of Habitat Encroachment
Nilutpal Mahanta, an ornithologist and wildlife conservation activist, expressed serious concerns about the well-being of the animals. "These incidents raise serious concerns about the well-being of the animals as they are increasingly entering urban areas due to rapid encroachment of their natural habitats," Mahanta said.
He explained that in search of food, deer are venturing into human settlements and, surprisingly, do not appear to fear people. "They consume whatever is offered to them, which is gradually altering their natural behaviour. Wild animals that are meant to survive independently are becoming dependent on humans for food. This dependency is harmful not only because it disrupts their natural instincts, but also because it puts them at greater risk. Proximity to humans increases chances of conflict," Mahanta warned.
Mahanta urged the forest department to take immediate steps to relocate the deer to a safe area, away from human settlements, to mitigate risks and preserve natural behaviors.
