Overview
- The Gujarat Forest Department confirmed on Sunday that it completed a phased translocation of 50 spotted deer from the Sasan Gir Wildlife Division to the Mandvi Forest Range, carrying out releases in three phases in May and June.
- Forest teams prepared habitat before release by conducting assessments and creating 10 permanent water points to ensure year-round drinking sources for the deer.
- The department has deployed a Quick Response Team with rescue equipment and launched intensive post-release monitoring using forest guards, trained trackers and strategically placed camera traps to track health, movements and survival.
- Officials say the operation was done under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and is intended to strengthen the natural prey base so predators can meet food needs inside forests rather than moving into villages.
- The move builds on existing Mandvi measures, including spotted deer and jungle fowl breeding centres, and officials say ongoing monitoring will determine whether the effort lowers livestock losses and attacks in local communities.