Death of 15 spotted deer under mysterious circumstances in a week has sent the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj, Pune, into a tizzy.
The forest department has sent the viscera of the heart, lungs, spleen, and liver of the dead animals to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and the forensic laboratory of Pune.
"The first case of death was reported on July 7, 2025, and it continued till July 12. A total of 16 spotted deer died, of which the majority were female deer (14 female and 1 male deer). In the last two days, no death has been reported as the administration is closely monitoring them, and also we have made special arrangements to stop the spread as it can be contagious," said Dr. Ghanshyam Pawar, veterinary officer at Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park.
No deaths in last 2 days
"In the last two days, no deaths have been reported as we are taking special care. We have created a biosecurity protocol which aims to prevent the introduction and spread of disease and foreign materials that can harm the deer, other animals, and the environment. We have two feeding vehicles — one dedicated only for deer and another for other animals. Also, we have assigned one keeper just to feed and look after the deer. The keepers are provided with gumboots to maintain hygiene protocols. Proper storage and handling of food is being arranged to prevent any contamination. We have also bleached the premises to get rid of any potential disease carrier," added Pawar.
"We have sent the viscera of the deer, and the reports are expected to come in the next three to four days. The post-mortem examinations of the deceased animals have been conducted, but the official reports are still awaited. The exact cause of death remains unclear. The zoo authorities have decided on constant monitoring of animals in the zoo for the coming few days. The deaths have been reported only among spotted deer, and therefore we have kept other native species like sambar deer in different areas," said the director of Katraj Zoo, Rajkumar Jadhav.
"There were a few symptoms that were observed — the deer’s food intake was reduced before they died. As a precautionary measure, the deer are being given antibiotics orally and through injections. The zoo administration has taken the matter seriously and is conducting a thorough inspection of the enclosures and surrounding areas. A medical team has also been deployed to monitor the health of the remaining animals," added Jadhav.
