In a tragic accident, 5 Wild Asses drowned in the Naramada canal passing from Hirapur village of Dhrangadhra taluka of Surendranagar.
In a tragic accident, 5 Wild Asses drowned in the Naramada canal passing from Hirapur village of Dhrangadhra taluka of Surendranagar.
On Friday morning, villagers learned that a herd of more than 15 Wild Asses had walked into the Narmada canal in search of water and food. Since the canal is still under construction, there wasn't any water in it. The animals reached a tunnel filled with water. According to villagers, some of them ventured deeper into the water, but couldn't come out due to the mud and other garbage lying in it. The dead Wild Asses include 2 calves, 2 females and 1 male.
After learning about the incident, villagers informed the fire brigade and forest officials, who immediately started rescue operations with the help of villagers. According to NS Karamta, Range Forest Officer of Wild Ass Sanctuary, 5 Wild Asses died by drowning in the water. "We have taken out bodies. We learn that 5 Wild Asses drowned" said Karamta.
Forest officials and fire brigade also rescued 10 Wild Asses that were stuck in the canal. "Apart from the 5 dead Wild Asses, there were 11 of them stuck in the canal and desperately trying to come out. We have rescued 10 of them till evening" said Karamta. Since the Wild Asses couldn't climb up the canal's slippery surface, officials called JCB machine to put some clay on the surface, which made it easier for the asses to climb up the canal.
Forest officials believe that the herd of Wild Asses was scared, which forced them to take refuge in the canal. "In a bid to run across the water tunnel, the frightened animals drowned in it and couldn't come out due to the mud," claimed Karamta. However, he is not denying the arguments put forward by villagers, who claim that the herd came to the village in search of food and water, as there is an acute shortage of both in the sanctuary. "We are investigating the whole issue, as the canal is around 10 km away from the sanctuary," said Karamta.
According to villagers, there are many herd of wild asses roaming outside the sanctuary in search of food. When asked about the safety of such herds, forest officials said they would send a proposal to the government about fencing the canal. "To prevent such mishaps, we will definitely put a fence around the canal passing near the sanctuary," said Karamta.
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