There seems to be no end to the mysterious deaths of wild animals in and around Borivli's Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). After nine monkeys were found poisoned to death on February 7, the body of a crocodile with a bloated abdomen was found near the Tulsi and Vihar lakes (both protected areas) a month later. Now, a little over two months later, the severed heads of what seem to be two wild boars or pigs have been found around 1 km from Vihar lake.
There seems to be no end to the mysterious deaths of wild animals in and around Borivli's Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). After nine monkeys were found poisoned to death on February 7, the body of a crocodile with a bloated abdomen was found near the Tulsi and Vihar lakes (both protected areas) a month later. Now, a little over two months later, the severed heads of what seem to be two wild boars or pigs have been found around 1 km from Vihar lake.
Sachin Roy, a broker, who goes on morning walks in the area, spotted the two heads placed next to each other, and rotting innards a few metres away. Moreover, bones of other animals have also been found scattered near the area. "I also found ashes near the bones and heads, and bricks arranged in a way that it seemed someone was cooking there," said Roy, adding that he had informed the forest department control room.
Wildlife veterinarian Dr Yuvraj Kaginkar told dna, "It appears to be the head of a wild boar. The skin makes it appear as if it was roasted. The bone found seems to be the mandible bone of a herbivore, maybe a deer. However, these conjectures can only be confirmed through an X-ray or forensic examination. Whether the animal was slaughtered or fell prey to a leopard or it was a natural death, can only be determined by injuries on the body and bones."
This incident comes less than a month after the body of a crocodile with a bloated stomach was found on March 5 in the same area. A month before that, the bodies of nine monkeys were recovered from the banks of the Tulsi lake, on February 7. Post-mortem had confirmed poisoning.
All these animals are protected by the Wildlife Protection Act. If a wild animal is killed, the offence comes under the section of 'hunting', for which punishment may extend to both imprisonment and fine.
Vikas Gupta, director of SGNP and chief conservator of forests, said, "Our team recovered the two heads from near the filtration plant, which falls under the BMC's jurisdiction. Further investigation will be done by the Thane territorial section. Tissues will be sent for forensic testing to determine whether the heads belong to wild boars or pigs."
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