Barking deer hit by vehicle, dies after lying unattended on road for hours

IDUKKI: A barking deer, which suffered injuries after being hit by a vehicle in Vandiperiyar, died due to the negligence of the Forest Department. Although the locals had informed the forest officials about the barking deer getting injured in an accident, the officials reached the spot two hours after the incident. According to the locals, the barking deer sustained injuries after being hit by a car carrying tourists on the Vandiperiyar-Vallakkadavu road. The Forest Department office was just one and a half kilometres away from the accident site.

On receiving the call from the locals, the forest officials told them to contact the Murinjapuzha section office after pointing out that the accident took place in the area that comes under the Erumely range. The locals, who realized that the deer's life was in danger, called a higher official of the forest department and informed the matter. Following this, forest officials reached the spot and took the deer to Thekkady for treatment. However, the deer died on the way. The forest department has launched an investigation into the incident.