About 150 spotted deer and 200 peacocks have been killed in past three years

Blame it on the perfunctory attitude of University of Hyderabad (UoH) authorities or the apathy of GHMC and forest department, several animals, including spotted deer and peacock are said to be falling prey to stray dogs on the campus of late.

According to estimates, about 150 spotted deer and more than 200 peacocks have been killed by stray dogs and poachers in the last three years.

Ravi Jillapalli, founder of Wild Lens, a wildlife protection group in the university said that despite the peacock being the national animal and the spotted deer the State animal, neither the university administration nor the forest department have initiated any measures to protect them.

He said that barely a week after a deer and a peacock were killed by dogs, another deer has fallen prey to the dogs on Sunday morning. The incident came to light when a group of students saw a deer lying dead with multiple injuries near Tagore International hostel on the campus.

“Another spotted deer has fallen prey to stray dogs. This has been a regular phenomenon in the university for the last several years,” said Mr. Jillapalli. Blaming the GHMC for these deaths, he said that the corporation releases sterilised stray dogs in the campus. “They bring dogs that were not picked up from the university and release them here,” he said.

Protected zone

According to him, deaths of several deer go unnoticed as they are killed deep in the jungle. “There are more deaths in the summer as the animals leave the forest in search of water and food,” said Mr. Jillapalli. When contacted, a senior forest official said that a suggestion was made to the university authorities to handover 300 acres to the department to make it a protected zone for animals.

“Last year, we suggested a few ideas that would help in he protection of animal life on the campus. So far the administration has not respond to our suggestions,” the official said. As a result, the department was helpless in checking the mortality of animals, the official said.

The forest official said that other animals like monitor lizards, star turtles and wild boars, which are found in good numbers on the sprawling campus, were also regularly attacked.