Overview
- Ten spotted deer were found dead on November 11 at Thrissur’s Puthur Zoological Park after stray dogs entered the open enclosure overnight.
- The chief forest veterinary officer said postmortem findings point to capture myopathy from extreme stress as the primary cause, with some animals showing injuries and bite marks.
- Officials believe the dogs likely slipped through small gaps in the boundary fence, and teams are identifying and sealing entry points.
- Kerala’s forest minister ordered a three-member inquiry, and the Central Zoo Authority directed a separate assessment led by T. Ajay Kumar.
- Zoo entry was suspended following the incident, and transfers of larger animals could be deferred pending safety reviews.