A newly born hog deer suspected to have been forcefully separated from its mother was rescued unhurt and handed over to Veterinary Hospital of Manipur Zoological Garden on Monday.
The poor mammal was spotted by one Leitanthem Hemanta and Leitanthem Jacky from Mayang Imphal, Imphal West at Mayang Imphal Firalbung area, western side of Loktak lake, when the two persons went fishing there.
The little hog deer was so young that it had not even properly learned to walk when they found it.
Later, the duo intimated to the volunteers of Unique Wildlife Protection Committee Manipur, a voluntary organisation dedicated for conservation of environment and wildlife for taking up necessary rescue operations.
According to the information received, immediately a joint team of UWLPC and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, Eastern Region rushed to the area and rescued the poor baby hog deer unhurt.
Secretary, UWLPC, Manipur Irengbam Sanaton meitei who took part in the rescue operation informed that the baby hog deer was believed to have separated after its mother was killed for meat by some miscreants.
The baby animal was found starving as it had not sucked milk for a few days. The joint team gave first aid to the baby animal and later handed it over to the veterinary Hospital of Manipur Zoological Garden Iroisemba for further medical treatment, Sanaton stated.
It is highly unfortunate that the adjacent areas of Bishnupur and Mayang Imphal have become a favorite place for the hunters to catch migratory birds, deers and hog deers, he lamented.
Some powerful persons with guns in their hands have dared to practice hunting animals against the laws and without any fear, he said.
It may be mentioned that the staff of Bishnupur Forest Division had earlier found the head and skin of dressed hog deer and deer at the site a few months ago.
