From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 12: The death of two wild animals in Goa’s wildlife sanctuaries, that smacks as the apparent handiwork of poachers, has forced the state forest department to initiate detailed probe into the killings.

Bison, a state animal and a sambar deer were found dead  in state’s Mhadei and Netravati wildlife sanctuaries respectively.

Sambar deer was detected at Keri village in Sattari taluka while a bison’s corpse was found in sanguem taluka, both incident occurred during the same period.

Keri, where sambar was found grievously injured and later refused to resurrect despite medical care, had gained notoriety earlier this year when a tiger was poached and burnt after peeling his skin, here.

The recent killings have prompted the state forest department has left the department red faced as in absence of postmortem reports, the officials are unable to pin down the exact cause of death.

“We will be able to know the cause of death only when we receive the  report,” deputy conservator of forest (North) M K Shambu said.

Shambu heads the team investing sambar deer killing case.

He said that there are no arrests made while preliminary inquiry is initiated to nab the offenders.

Although the local media reported that there was a bullet injury on sambar’s body, the forest department officials averred that the exact cause of death can be known only through post mortem report.

In case of Bison’s death, deputy conservator of forest (South) M K Bidi said that range forest officer (RFO) has been asked to conduct detailed inquiry into the incident.

Bison corpse was found in the wildlife sanctuary and forest department was intimated about the possible poaching by the villagers when strong stench emanated from the forest.

Bidi said that the postmortem report -- awaited from the veterinary doctor from nearby Sanguem centre – will propel further the inquiry.