BHUBANESWAR: A senior veterinary surgeon from Kaziranga National Park in Assam will be deputed to Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district to monitor health of captive and wild animals, official sources said.
In a related development, the STR launched a mobile veterinary service in collaboration with Wildlife Trust of India on Saturday. "The health unit will handle rescue and rehabilitation of animals in Similipal and adjoining Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Balasore district," said STR field director Anup Kumar Nayak.
Official sources said the mobile unit will operate from Pithabata wildlife range, on the fringe of STR, to allow it to respond swiftly to emergency. "For the first time, a sanctuary in the state will have a dedicated mobile health unit manned by trained veterinary surgeons. It will also function as a small field station with facilities to accommodate displaced animals till their release," said an officer of STR.
Sources said there are plans to launch a drive to make villagers aware of ways to tackle man-animal conflicts. "The forest staff will also be trained in rescue operations," the officer added.
Every year, hundreds of animals are rescued by STR authorities. Villagers are involved in majority of poaching cases. According to 2010 census of National Tiger Conservation Authority, there are 23 tigers in the sanctuary, while sambar and deer population stands at 30,000. There are 350 elephants in the reserve.
