Cuttack: As many as 296 deer at the Deer Park in Cuttack city will be shifted to Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary. The Forest department has initiated process in this regard, an official said.
The animals will be shifted to a special enclosure located at Ambilo in the sanctuary, having an area of 3.5 hectares of forest land. The shifting of the deer will be carried out in phases, said Cuttack City DFO Ajit Kumar Satapathy.
This decision was prompted by the Orissa High Court’s directive and the Central Zoo Authority (CZA)’s warning regarding the necessity of providing sufficient space and a proper environment for the animals in the park.
Established in 1981 by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC), the Deer Park having 2.5 acres of area initially housed only five deer. Over time, the deer population surged to 296, causing overcrowding.
In compliance with CZA standards, only 15 deer can be housed within 2.5 acres of land. Apart from congestion, the presence of 33 KV electric wires over the park poses a threat to the animals.
