Stags lock horns over ladylove

The zoo authorities rushed the injured stag to Nagpur Veterinary College for treatment, but it succumbed to injuries. The post-mortem report said the stag died of injury and shock. The matter was immediately reported to the Controlling Officer, Dr Dixit.

Talking to The Indian Express Dr V M Dhoot, officer in charge of the Maharajbagh Zoo, confirmed the death of the stag, but denied any move by the zoo authorities to hush up the matter.

Dhoot said the fight between the stags had come as a shock since stags are known to live in peace and harmony. But they are also known to engage in fights over mates,he said.

Incidentally, this is also the beginning of the mating season for deer. Their gestation period is reported to be 196 days.

It is a well-known fact that some of the enclosures in the zoo are too cramped. Because of lack of space, the zoo authorities are forced to cage six monkeys in tiny enclosures where they can hardly move, leave alone indulge in normal monkey business.

Dhoot said his plan to shift monkeys into a bigger enclosure were being hampered due to lack of funds.

Rs 50 lakh sanctioned by the State Government in 1994-95 had already been spent on building new cages for lions, reconstruction of old cages,construction of office for the zoo and other beautification plans, he said.