CUTTACK: With mercury shooting up by the day, the woes of some 25 inmates of the Deer Park in the city mount. During the corresponding period last year, when the city was reeling under severe heat wave conditions, six deer died, creating a furore.

"A similar situation cannot be ruled out this year," warns an employee of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation as the situation has not improved in the park and the animals are forced to stay in unsafe conditions.

Extreme conditions

Despite claims by civic authorities that adequate measures have been taken to maintain health and hygiene, the poor animals continue to suffer under extreme conditions, sources allege.

Except for providing a single thatched shed, which is not sufficient to protect all animals, and making some provision for drinking water, the authorities have done little, say animal lovers. "Adequate care is not taken to provide food and medicines to the animals," they allege.

The Deer Park was set up in February 1981 in an extent of six acres at a cost of Rs. 40 lakhs. Deer numbering 85 were received from the Nandankanan Zoological Park. The civic body looks after the animals, including their food, medicines and maintenance.

Being the first of its kind in the city, the park initially drew large crowds. The number of deer grew substantially and it soon crossed 100. The civic authorities, finding it difficult to maintain such a large number of animals in the small enclosure, decided to limit the strength to 100.

However, the killer storm of October 1999 left some 45 deer dead. With most of the trees getting uprooted, the animals lost the cosy ambience, said park caretaker Brindaban Sahu. After the super cyclone, the civic authorities seem to have lost interest in maintaining the park. Every summer, at least five to six deer die due to heat and insufficient food.

`Relocate animals'

Despite the civic body's claims of spending Rs. 1 lakh per annum on food and medicine of the animals, most of the deer either die due to lack of proper food or ailments.

The Central Zoo Authority that visited the park in 2002, had asked the authorities to relocate the animals since the locality was unsuitable for delicate animals like deer. Though plying of vehicles is prohibited on roads around the park, it is defied with impunity. The animals are left to the mercy of motorists who zoom past the park with high decibel air horns.

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