DEER DEATH IN PARK

Deer death at new park, minister sought report

COOCH BEHAR, Feb. 18: A full-grown spotted deer died yesterday at the recently inaugurated Deer Park at Kholta in Cooch Behar. Post-mortem of its body was also done at Rasik-bil Deer Rescue Centre. Though the forest officials tried their best to cover up the incident, it leaked out today.

It may be recalled that state forest minister Mr Ananta Roy had released seven deer at the Kholta Deer Park on 4 February. He also inaugurated a toy train facility there. Since inauguration it was feared that sound of toy train may be disastrous for the weak-hearted deer. On 9 February a newborn spotted deer calf died there. The second death incident occurred yesterday. After inauguration the minister had claimed that toy train and deer might co-exist without any problem as experts' opinions were taken.

Today, when contacted, the minister said from Kolkata that he will seek a report from the concerned officials how the deer died at Kholta Deer Park.