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Rabies scare in Homagama residential area: Officials blame rise in stray dogs
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At least 25 dead deer had been found in the area over the past two months. Pic by Priyantha Jayalath
- Wildlife Chief says cannot relocate over 400 deer at risk due to lack of funds and logistic issues
By Chris Kamalendran
They had several discussions with various parties on how to overcome the problem but have been unable to find a solution so far, Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara said.
“We do not have the funds needed to relocate the animals. We also lack vehicles and it is also difficult to tranquilise deer before relocating them. They are sensitive creatures who could die from the tranquilisers. As such it is not practical,” he explained.
Officials had been trying to find a solution to the problem after autopsies performed on the remains of two dead deer found in the area revealed they were infected with rabies.
At least 25 dead deer had been found in the area over the past two months.
The prevalence of rabies among the deer was attributed to a rise in the area’s stray dog population. The deer were infected after being bitten by rabies infected dogs said the Health Ministry’s Public Health and Veterinary Service Division Director L. D. Kithsiri. Dr Kithsiri had performed the autopsies on the deer at the Medical Research Institute (MRI).
Dr Kithsiri said the deer had also been affected by other health problems including malnutrition. They had no feeding grounds and lacked clean drinking water, he noted.
A smaller herd of deer had been fed and cared for by Panagoda Army Complex personnel. However, after the deer population increased the army personnel were unable to care for them and they began roaming the residential areas nearby.
Area residents complained that the deer were raiding their homes in search of food and destroying their vegetable cultivations. The problem however, had been exacerbated due to people frequently feeding the deer.
An earlier proposal to try to relocate some of the deer to Horana was shelved due to protests from residents in Horana, said Wildlife Department officials.
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