Stray Dogs Cause Death of Deer in Zoo

Ten spotted deer were found dead on Tuesday morning, November 11, at the
newly opened Puthur Zoological Park in Thrissur district, Kerala. The zoo had
started operations on October 28.
A red deer had died the previous day, bringing the total number of deaths to
11 out of the 21 deer in the park. The zoo staff found the dead animals around
6:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Officials believe the deaths were caused by capture myopathy, a condition that
happens when animals experience extreme fear or stress. It affects their muscles
and can be fatal.
A team of five experts, led by Chief Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Arun Zacharia, is
conducting post-mortem tests. Samples from the deer have been sent to a lab for
further analysis.
Dr. Zacharia said the deaths occurred after a group of stray dogs entered the
zoo area, frightening the deer. “The animals tried to escape in panic and hit
the enclosure walls, which caused serious injuries. The immediate cause of death
was capture myopathy,” he told the media.