Garhwal Post Bureau
RAMNAGAR, 6 Dec: A Sambar deer that had become a centre of attraction for tourists and passers-by near the Kosi Barrage on the Ramnagar–Haldwani road has finally been rescued by the Forest Department. For several weeks, the animal had drawn crowds, with people stopping to take selfies and even feeding it inappropriate food such as biscuits. Its presence on the busy road was also causing frequent traffic jams, prompting the authorities to intervene.
Shekhar Tiwari, Range Officer of the Ramnagar Forest Division, stated that keeping in view the safety of both wildlife and the general public, the department, acting on the instructions of Director of Corbett Tiger Reserve Saket Badola, successfully carried out a major operation to rescue the Sambar from the Kosi Barrage area. Following the rescue, the deer has been shifted to the Rescue Centre located within the Corbett Tiger Reserve, where it will now receive specialised care from experts. Significantly, this is the first Sambar deer to be admitted to the rescue centre at Corbett.
It is noteworthy that the Central Zoo Authority had approved an expansion of the Rescue Centre’s capacity on March 23 ,2025. Under this enhancement, the centre is currently authorised to care for 32 tigers, 48 leopards, five elephants, various species of deer, and, for the first time in the Kumaon region, injured birds. The decision is being regarded as a major step towards strengthening wildlife conservation and biodiversity, ensuring that injured, sick, or straying wild animals in the Corbett landscape and adjoining forest areas receive timely treatment and safe rehabilitation.
It may also be reminded here that the forest department has appealed to the public not to feed wild animals or take selfies with them and to immediately inform officials if any wild creature is spotted in inhabited areas, cautioning that even a small lapse can prove fatal for a voiceless being. The Sambar had been visible on the Ramnagar–Haldwani road for a long time and, unusually, did not run away when approached, which encouraged people to gather around it. On this busy route, the animal had become an unusual spectacle, drawing constant attention until its rescue has brought relief to both wildlife authorities and commuters.
