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Spotted deer are dear to them
K. Manikandan
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The gentle animals and defence personnel live in perfect harmony
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AT HOME: Spotted deer nibble at the grass inside the IAF Tambaram base. — Photo: A. Muralitharan
CHENNAI:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Tambaram is home not only to the bright young recruits and families of the defence personnel but also to hundreds of spotted deer.
What makes it unique is that the spotted deer and defence personnel live in perfect harmony. Though an exact count of these gentle creatures is not known, officers provide a modest estimate of 500 at the 1,000-acre IAF base.
Unfazed by attention
The deer seem little concerned about human presence as they nibble grass near the staff quarters. They are also unfazed by the flashbulbs, as photographers wait patiently to take snaps of the animals.
According to some officials, the deer are accustomed to the presence of children, many of who are in the habit of feeding bread, vegetables and grass to the antelopes.
Officers said they are concerned about the animals and took care to ensure that they were not harmed.
"Once a deer suffered a fracture in its hind leg. We informed the Blue Cross. After treatment, the deer was with us with a bandage around its fractured leg. We took care of it for two months before it was able to walk normally," said an Air Force official.
Antelopes that are too weak or injured seriously are sent to the Vandalur Zoo. Many of the injuries take place when hit by vehicles. A staff at the IAF base said there are frequent accidents as the entire area is a deer-crossing zone. Many officers, staff and recruits have been injured in the accidents, he said.
Incidentally, frequent accidents in the zone has forced authorities to make it compulsory for two-wheeler riders to wear helmets when riding their vehicles on the IAF campus. Unless both two-wheeler riders wear helmets, they are not permitted to take their vehicle inside, said an official. Call it deer sense!
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Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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