From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 13: The Goa Forest department have decided to seek assistance from its Maharashtra counterpart in probing a sambar killing case after the necropsy conducted on the animal confirmed that it was poached.
 
Sambar, a scheduled animal was found grievously injured and breathing its last next to Mhadei wildlife sanctuary in Ghoteli village of Sattari taluka, which borders Goa and Maharashtra states.
 
“The post mortem report mentions that the animal was wounded with gun shots three days prior to its death. That means the possibility of it traveling from Maharashtra cannot be ruled out,” Deputy Conservator of Forest (North) M K Shambu said today.
 
The sambar was found on August 07 and attempts to resurrect it forest officials proved futile.
 
“The carcass had two holes on its neck which are suspected to be of gun shots and three days old. Also there is linear cut on the leg,” Shambu said.
 
The post mortem conducted by a veterinarian from neighbouring Honda village has clarifies that the medical reason for the sambar’s death was cardiac arrest. It also mentions that two holes on the neck are possibly due to gun shots that passed through.
 
“It’s sure that somebody has fired at the animal. Since it was attempted to be poached three days prior to its death, there is every possibility that it may have traveled a long distance,” Shambu stated.
 
The Asian deer is a herbivorous animal and usually travels in herds of five to six animals and are found in abundance in forest corridor of Goa and Maharashtra.
 
“The place where we found the animal wounded has private cashew plantation and it is next to a wildlife sanctuary. We have started inquiring with the locals to get the clues,” the DCF said.