Rains turn deadly for chinkaras, nine dead in three days

Several Indian gazelles have fallen prey to stray dogs or have sustained injuries after being stuck in bushes around agriculture fields after the rains left the soil damp and marshy

The monsoon has come as a huge threat to chinkaras —the state animal — with reports of at least nine deaths in the last three days. Over 25 chinkaras were brought to Jodhpur’s Wildlife Rescue Centre since the district received its first monsoon shower on June 27.

Chinkaras being treated at Jodhpur’s Wildlife Rescue Centre on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

Several Indian gazelles have fallen prey to stray dogs or have sustained injuries after being stuck in bushes around agriculture fields after the rains left the soil damp and marshy.

On Monday, 15 chinkaras were brought to the rescue centre after the rain, out of which six died during treatment. On June 28, three out of the seven injured chinkaras brought to the centre died. Three more animals were brought to the centre on Wednesday.

In-charge of Jodhpur’s Wildlife Rescue Centre, Dr Shrawan Singh Rathore, said: “Saving the state animal from dog attacks has become a great challenge. Several chinkaras have been attacked by dogs after the rains began…Chinkaras cannot run on the muddy soil and often get trapped in the nets left behind by the farmers. Stuck chinkaras are an easy target of dogs.”

Chinkaras are mostly found in the western part of the state.