TURA, March 27: The death of an endangered barking deer inside its cage at Tura zoo located in Nehru Park is to be investigated by the wildlife department, said Wildlife DFO Rupankar Marak.

The Wildlife DFO of West Garo Hills also denied that the deer died on Sunday as was alleged by visitors and others and clarified that it passed away on Monday afternoon at around 3:30 PM.

“The death of the deer was around 3:30 Monday afternoon and not the previous day. We are investigating its demise and necessary steps have been taken,” said DFO Rupankar Marak.

He also dismissed claims that animals have gone missing from poorly maintained cages and said that every animal that passes away in captivity is recorded by the wildlife department and reports submitted to the central zoo authority as per norms every quarterly and annually.

Zoo enclosure to be shifted

The Central Zoo Authority has recommended to the state government to shift all animal enclosures currently located deep inside the Nehru park to higher ground closer to the roadside, it has been reported.

Confirming the same, DFO Rupankar Marak said that the Central Zoo Authority had in its monitoring report recommended that all animal enclosures be moved out closer to the roadside.

He said that the department has submitted a proposal in this regard and was awaiting sanction for the same.