Well turns death trap for 13 deer:Animals fall in while escaping dog; forest department conducts last rites

In Khardounkala village of Kalapipal tehsil of Shujalpur subdivision, the bodies of 13 deer and a stray dog were found in a farm well. On Sunday, when a foul smell emanated, the farm owner’s family members looked into the well and saw a large number of decomposed bodies. Upon receiving information, teams from the Forest Department, Police, and administration reached the spot. On Monday, after the inquest and post-mortem, all the bodies were cremated. In the preliminary investigation, it is suspected that the deer fell into the well while trying to escape from the dog. Farmer saw bodies in Well Family members of Krishnabai wife of Rajesh Patidar, a resident of Khardounkala, had arrived at the farm on Sunday to spray pesticides. During this, when a strong foul smell came from the well, they looked down and found the bodies of 13 deer and a dog. Looking at the condition of the bodies, it is suspected that the incident must have occurred one or two days ago. The farm owner informed the Sarpanch about this, after which the police and forest department were called to the spot. According to the villagers, there was a parapet built for safety around the well, but a part of it was found damaged. It is suspected that the deer might have fallen into the well from that damaged part. The exact time of the incident has not yet come to light. Deer fell into the well while escaping from a dog According to the preliminary investigation by the forest department, a herd of deer was running fast to escape from a stray dog. During this, all the deer fell into the well. The dog they were escaping from also fell into the well and died. The dead deer included four males and nine females. Villagers stated that there was a parapet built on the well for safety, but a part of it was found damaged. It is suspected that while running, the deer fell into the well through that broken part. However, the actual causes of the incident can only be confirmed after the investigation report. Bodies retrieved on Monday due to absence of SDO According to the Forest Department, deer are protected wildlife included in Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act. Therefore, as per rules, the bodies are retrieved and an inquest report (panchnama) is prepared only in the presence of a senior officer. After receiving information on Sunday, as the SDO was in Ratlam for departmental work, the bodies were retrieved on Monday in the presence of the Naib Tehsildar. After the post-mortem, all the bodies were cremated near the incident site. The Forest Department kept common people and villagers away from the incident site during the investigation. A detailed investigation of the matter is underway. The causes of death will be confirmed based on the post-mortem report. However, villagers allege that the department tried to prevent the information about the incident from becoming public. Kalapipal is an area with a large deer population The Kalapipal-Shujalpur region is known for its large deer population. Herds of deer are often seen in fields and open areas. Considering the increasing number of wildlife and the damage caused to farmers’ crops, about two months ago, approximately 800 deer were relocated to other forest sanctuaries with the help of helicopters under the Boma method.