14 Deer Die in 5 Days at Pune Zoo, Probe Underway

Swift Summary:

• 14 deer have died over the past 4-5 days at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park (Katraj Zoo) in Pune due to unidentified reasons, according to officials.
• Authorities are investigating possible causes, including infections originating from deer feed.
• Samples from the deer enclosures and feed have been sent for laboratory testing by the Department of Disease Examination and Maharashtra Zoo Authority (MZA).
• Medical reports are awaited, with findings expected in 2-3 days.
• Officials from multiple departments visited the zoo for inspections; no new fatalities were reported on July 15, 2025.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The unexplained deaths of multiple deer at Katraj Zoo highlight critical concerns regarding wildlife management practices in zoological parks across India. while authorities promptly initiated investigations into potential causes like contaminated feed or other environmental factors, this incident underlines a need for more stringent monitoring systems to ensure timely detection of issues affecting animal health. The absence of immediate answers emphasizes gaps in facilities’ preparedness for managing sudden crises involving wildlife mortality.As zoological parks serve both conservation and recreational purposes, incidents like this risk undermining public trust in their ability to care for animals effectively. The outcome of lab tests could provide essential insights into improving care standards nationwide while also acting as a case study for other zoos facing similar situations.

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