UP: Dogs kill 31 blackbuck in zoo, director suspended

As many as 31 endangered blackbuck were found killed by stray dogs inside the Kanpur zoo on Sunday morning. The dogs attacked the blackbuck on Saturday night after entering the zoo from where the boundary is broken.

Two dogs were found eating the carcasses inside the zoo on Sunday morning by the forest guards during the routine morning inspection. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Rupak De said the guards killed both the dogs immediately. Another dog that was found roaming inside the zoo area was also killed, he said.

De said the dogs seemed to have entered the zoo from the area where the boundary wall was damaged. He said the wall was being repaired and the guards used to tie wires across the open area after the construction work got over in the evening to stop anyone from entering. However, they did not tie the fence wires last evening, he said.

Following the incident, De conducted an inquiry and submitted the report to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who is also the Minister for Forests. Yadav suspended director of the Kanpur zoo K Praveen Rao, forester J P Awashthi, forest guards Nathuram Dwivedi and Udaibhan, keeper Parshuram and watchman Shera for dereliction in performing their duties.

He also directed the Kanpur District Magistrate and the City Commissioner of Kanpur Municipal Corporation for running campaign against stray dogs in the city.

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