In a novel and unique initiative attempted anywhere in the country, the TS Forest Department on Tuesday re-introduced the ‘mouse deer’ into the forests of Nallamalla in Amrabad Tiger Reserve. Also called ‘spotted Chevrotain’, it is one of the endangered species usually found in deciduous and evergreen forests of the country.

Two males and six females were released into a specially made ‘reintroduction’ enclosure of over 2.14 hectares in the Mannunur range by Field Director of the Tiger Reserve M.C. Pargaien in the presence of District Forest Officer, Nagarkurnool, Joji, Forest Divisional Officer Venkateshwarulu, FRO Sridevi, and biologist Sandeep. These animals are nocturnal in habitat and because of their small size they are called ‘smallest ungulates’ too. Also called “JariniPandi” in Telugu, their number has been decreasing at an alarming rate in recent years because of destruction of habitat and poaching.

The Nehru Zoological Park, in association with LaCONES and the Central Zoo Authority, Delhi, had undertaken conservation breeding programme of mouse deer in the Nehru Zoological Park in March-2010 and, after six ears, the population of mouse deer has increased to 172 (96 males and 76 Females).

The Amrabad Tiger Reserve was chosen because these animals were earlier wandering in this area. The reintroduction enclosure is completely protected by providing solar fence, with a solar powered borewell for providing water, CCTV cameras etc., said Field Director Pargaien.

After reintroduction, the mouse deer will be kept under observation as they get adapted to wild conditions for three to four cycles of 15 days each. For the next two months, their behaviour will be monitored constantly under the supervision of forest department staff and, after every cycle of 15 days, they will be shifted to another part of enclosure with gradual deduction in their diet and also providing ample natural food in the enclosures, explained DFO Joji.

And, once they are found to have adapted to the wild vegetation, they will be released into the wild with the procedure repeated for the remaining mouse deer bred in the Nehru Zoological Park, adding to the biodiversity of the Tiger Reserve besides increasing the mouse deer population, they added.