Thunderstorm kills 50 blackbucks in Rajasthan

Bikaner (Rajasthan) Jun 3: Following an unexpected cloud Over 50 blackbucks recently died out of shock, following unexpected cloudburst and thunderstorm at the Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary in Churu District of Rajasthan.

The game warden and rangers of the Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary, some 100 kilometers from Bikaner, are of the view that the number of deaths could be high as they are continuously recovering more carcasses since the heavy rains, which lashed the region on May 28 and continued for quite a long time.

"We recovered five bodies on the first day. On the next day we went searching and recovered 28 carcasses and then nine. So we are on the pursuit for more carcasses," said Indraraj Singh, Conservator of Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary.

He also said that the reason behind the deaths has been identified as a 'shock' due to a sudden change in the weather.

"They (as for the surviving deer) don't require treatment but yet they are in a state of shock due to the heavy rainfall and the doctors here are giving them treatment to recover from the shock. After getting themselves treated they run away and other's die," added Indraraj Singh.

It has also been observed by the rangers that the dead deer were mostly old and young fawns since they were unable to withstand the sudden change of climate.

A team of three veterinaries in the sanctuary is treating the deer, which have survived the storm.

Tal Chappar Wild Life Sanctuary, located on the fringe of Thar, the expansive Indian Desert famous for the sand dunes is spread over 1334 square kilometers. It is the home to nearly 2,000 blackbucks.

The sanctuary is also home to migratory birds like demoiselle cranes, harriers and short-toed eagles.

ANI