Thaindian News

Indore, Oct 5 (IANS) The Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has set up an inquiry into the death of a black buck, third in a fortnight, at the zoo here. The probe will cover the role of zoo veterinarian Devendra Porwal, who allegedly buried the animal without an autopsy and informing IMC officials, official sources said Monday.
“Indore zoo officials are alleged to have quietly buried the black buck without commissioning a post-mortem examination. The animal died Friday night. The incident, however, came to light Sunday when stray dogs reportedly unearthed the deer’s remains from the makeshift grave,” an official said.

This was the third black buck death at the Indore zoo in just over a fortnight. Three baby crocodiles also died on Saturday.

Worried by the deaths of some 20 animals in the past three months, the zoo and civic authorities organised special prayers for the long life and good health of the animals Sep 29-Oct 3.

Stung by a series of deaths at the Indore zoo, the civic agency had removed more than 25 employees on Sep 22, including the superintendent and the zoo in-charge, for negligence of duty.

While zoo in-charge R.B. Siddh was suspended with five other staff members, superintendent B.L. Sharma and 10 others were transferred. Moreover, the services of eight staff members were terminated.

Veterinary doctor Devendra Porwal has been issued a show-cause notice. “The action was taken in the wake of alleged irregularities during the last couple of months, which saw several animals, including a white tiger cub, die,” said Vivek Singh, additional municipal commissioner. Prima facie, Porwal and the guards appear to be guilty of concealing facts, Singh added.

“Dr. Porwal told me a post-mortem examination had been performed on the animal. I saw the body and I can say that no post-mortem was done,” Singh said.

Pointing out that how only one animal was injured if there was, indeed, a fight between black bucks, Singh also ticked off the veterinarian for failing to report the incident of the black buck, one of the most endangered species of the deer family, to the higher officials.

“Dr. Porwal says that he conveyed the death of the animal to the zoo in-charge Dr. Rajesh Kothari. But the death of an endangered animal must be reported to the commissioner and mayor,” Singh said.”We have started an inquiry and he’ll definitely be punished if found guilty of any wrong doing,” he said.