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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Spotted, Sambar deer from Katraj Zoo to be relocated to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
PUNE: Plans are afoot to relocate a group of spotted (Chital) and Sambar deer from the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj (Katraj Zoo) to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) in Kolhapur as part of a broader initiative to decongest the deer enclosure at the zoo while strengthening the prey base within the tiger reserve and improve its ecological balance. New Delhi, India - April 4, 2017: A group of spotted deer at Delhi Zoo in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo by Ravi Choudhary/ Hindustan Times) (Ravi Choudhary/HT PHOTO) A team from STR visited the Katraj Zoo on Monday to assess the feasibility of such a transfer and initiate the process. The inspection team, led by Amit Bhise, assistant conservator of forests, Chandoli division, STR, carried out a detailed survey of the facilities, condition of the animals, and the logistics involved in the possible relocation. Zoo director Rajkumar Jadhav confirmed the visit and shared that the inspection was carried out as part of a collaborative effort between the zoo and the forest department. 'This was a demand made by the forest department and we consider it a positive and cooperative step toward strengthening the prey base within the reserve,' Jadhav said. However, he refrained from providing details on the number of deer to be shifted or the final timeline of the relocation. A senior forest official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the zoo currently houses around 82 deer - down from 98 after 16 deer died of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in July - and the proposal to shift some of them to STR has been under discussion for quite some time. The department has already obtained the necessary permissions from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) which oversees such transfers to ensure compliance with wildlife regulations and animal welfare norms. According to the official, the recent field visit marks an important step forward. 'Monday's visit was to assess the ground reality, and it will be followed by a thorough health checkup of the animals in the coming days. Only after ensuring their fitness for relocation will the final decision be taken. As of now, the exact number of deer to be relocated has not been finalised,' the official said. Spotted deer (Chital) are an essential part of forest ecosystems. They adapt well to wild habitats and play a vital role in maintaining the food chain. Their introduction into the STR is expected not only to enhance the prey base for apex predators like tigers and leopards but also contribute to the overall health of the forest ecosystem. Officials emphasised that the planned transfer is not merely a logistical exercise but an important component of ecological management aimed at sustaining the reserve's biodiversity. The presence of a healthy prey base is critical to the survival and stability of large carnivore populations, and the forest department hopes that this relocation will help in bolstering the habitat's natural balance over the long term. The relocation, once finalised, is expected to proceed in a phased manner, taking into account animal welfare, climatic conditions, and transport feasibility. Tushar Chavan, field director, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, said, 'The plan is to enhance the prey base by releasing a healthy population of deer into the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. These animals will initially be housed in a safe, controlled environment within the reserve to help the population establish and grow. After that they will be released to the wild. During today's site visit, we felt it was prudent to conduct a full health screening before proceeding. We'll make the next move once the health reports are in.' Aditya Paranjape, honorary wildlife warden, Pune Forest department, who was also present during the visit said, 'This plan was cleared some time ago, but operational delays pushed it back. The process has resumed, but due to a recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, health screenings are now essential. Once they're cleared as healthy, the transfer will go ahead.'
Hindustan Times
26-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Reports confirm deer deaths due to foot and mouth disease
PUNE: The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj lost approximately 16.33% of its deer population in just six days this July due to a highly contagious viral outbreak. Laboratory reports from the ICAR-National Institute on Foot and Mouth Disease (Bhubaneswar) and the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (Bhopal) have confirmed that 16 spotted deer died between July 6 and 12 due to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). New Delhi, India - April 4, 2017: A group of spotted deer at Delhi Zoo in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo by Ravi Choudhary/ Hindustan Times) (Ravi Choudhary/HT PHOTO) Health experts noted that FMD is especially prevalent during the monsoon season and primarily affects grazing animals such as deer and cattle. The increased moisture during this period enables rapid transmission of the virus in the environment. Zoo authorities said they had initiated preventive measures, such as biosecurity protocols and vaccinations, as soon as a viral infection was suspected. Encouragingly, no further deer deaths have been reported since July 15, suggesting that the outbreak may now be contained. Over the six days, a total of 16 deer — including at least 14 females and 2 males — were reported dead. Dr Ghanshyam Pawar, veterinary officer at Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, confirmed that FMD was the cause of the deaths. 'Foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious and typically spreads through airborne particles. It can also be transmitted through contaminated feed, water, or even by human movement between infected and healthy animals,' he said. While the disease has been confirmed, the source of the outbreak remains unknown, something not uncommon in viral infections, Pawar added. Dr Satish Pande, a conservationist and researcher involved in zoonotic disease awareness, emphasised that FMD is common among herbivores during the rainy season. 'In the wild, such cases often go undetected. However, because these deer were in captivity, the outbreak was identified and confirmed early,' he said. Dr Pande stressed the importance of preventive care, including vaccination and enclosure hygiene, to minimise the risk of such outbreaks. He added that while FMD is serious, it does not pose the same level of threat as bird flu. 'Bird flu is far more dangerous. It affects both domestic and wild species and can cause major economic losses, especially in the poultry and dairy sectors,' he explained. 'Laboratory tests conducted by national institutes have confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) as the cause of the deer deaths. On Friday, we held a meeting with the zoo's health advisory committee to review the findings and assess the ongoing precautionary measures. Experts noted that FMD severely weakens the immune system in deer, who are already highly sensitive to stress and environmental changes, making them more vulnerable. Thanks to the swift response of our team and the support of national and state-level institutes and health experts, we have been able to significantly reduce the mortality rate. The situation is now under control, and the remaining animals are showing signs of recovery,'said Rajkumar Jadhav, director, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. Spotted deer (Axis deer), protected under Schedule III of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, are a keystone species in Indian forests. Recognised by their reddish-brown coats and white spots, they play a vital ecological role as grazers and are a key part of the prey base for predators like tigers and leopards. In zoos, they are among the most admired animals—especially by children—due to their calm nature and graceful appearance. Their herd behaviour and constant activity also make them ideal for public viewing and wildlife education. The deaths underscore the vulnerability of captive animals and the importance of rapid response and transparency in such crises. Zoo officials have assured that updates will be shared once lab reports clarify the cause of death.
Hindustan Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Air India suspends all flights to Middle East, Europe, and North America's East Coast amid regional crisis
Jun 24, 2025 12:39 AM IST As tensions escalate in the Middle East after Iran's attack on an US airbase in Qatar, Air India on Tuesday announced that it is halting all flight operations in the region as well as on the east coast of North America and Europe until further notice. In this file photo dated Monday, March 2, 2020, Air India planes are parked at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary) An Air India spokesperson said that all India-bound flights from North America are being diverted back to their respective origins, while others are being diverted back to India or rerouted away from the closed airspaces. 'Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, Air India has ceased all operations to the region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect, until further notice," a spokesperson of the airline said. 'Our India-bound flights from North America are diverting back to their respective origins and others are being diverted back to India or re-routed away from the closed airspace. We request the understanding of all passengers who may be affected by this disruption that's beyond an airline's control." Airlines across the world were on fresh alert after Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait closed their countries' airspace temporarily as Iran attacked the Al Udeid U.S. military base in Doha.
Hindustan Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Air India suspends flights to Middle East, Europe, North America as tensions rise
Jun 24, 2025 12:36 AM IST As tensions escalate in the Middle East after Iran's attack on an US airbase in Qatar, Air India on Tuesday announced that it is halting all flight operations in the region as well as on the east coast of North America and Europe until further notice. In this file photo dated Monday, March 2, 2020, Air India planes are parked at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary) An Air India spokesperson said that all India-bound flights from North America are being diverted back to their respective origins, while others are being diverted back to India or rerouted away from the closed airspaces. 'Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, Air India has ceased all operations to the region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect, until further notice," a spokesperson of the airline said. 'Our India-bound flights from North America are diverting back to their respective origins and others are being diverted back to India or re-routed away from the closed airspace. We request the understanding of all passengers who may be affected by this disruption that's beyond an airline's control."
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
IPL 2025: How have Royal Challengers Bengaluru fared in IPL finals?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary) (PTI05_29_2025_000492B) Royal Challengers Bengaluru have marched into the IPL final for the fourth time, nearly a decade after their last appearance in 2016. The long wait came to an end in IPL 2025, as RCB thrashed Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 to secure a direct ticket to the final. In a dominant display, Bengaluru bowled out PBKS for just 101 runs, showcasing their depth and discipline with the ball. The modest target was chased down in just 10 overs, with opener Phil Salt smashing an unbeaten 57 off 26 deliveries, guiding the team home. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! With this win, RCB will now play the final against Punjab Kings on Tuesday , their fourth appearance in an IPL final. However, the trophy has continued to elude the Bengaluru-based franchise despite several close attempts. We didn't play the perfect game: Mahela Jayawardene Their journey in IPL finals so far: 2009 : Royal Challengers Bengaluru reached their first-ever final, facing Deccan Chargers in Johannesburg. Chasing a target of 144, RCB fell agonisingly short, ending at 137 for 9 and losing the final by 6 runs. 2011 : RCB made their second final appearance, this time against Chennai Super Kings. Batting first, CSK piled up 205 for 5. In response, RCB struggled to build momentum and finished at 147 for 8, losing by 58 runs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Can Make Massive Side Income By Learning Order Flow Analysis TradeWise Learn More Undo 2016 : In their third final, RCB took on Sunrisers Hyderabad in a high-scoring encounter. SRH posted 208 for 7, and despite a strong start in the chase, RCB managed 200 for 7 falling short by 8 runs in yet another heartbreak. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? Now in 2025, RCB have a golden opportunity to rewrite their legacy. As they prepare to take on Punjab Kings who themselves chasing a first title , the big question remains: can Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally break the jinx and bring the trophy home? Tuesday's final could be the chapter where years of near-misses are finally laid to rest.
