22 blackbucks found dead near Velavadar National Park

BHAVNAGAR (Gujarat): Twenty-two Black Bucks, swept away by flood waters in the district, were found dead near the Velavadar National Park, forest department officials said on Thursday.

"The bodies of 22 Black Bucks were recovered from Bari and Savia Nagar areas surrounding the Velavadar National Park which is home to the endangered species of deer," Bipin Barodawala, deputy conservator of forests at Bhavnagar, said.

"These animals died after being swept away in the flood waters in the district," he said.

According to forest officials, the toll could increase as large tracts of land in and around the sanctuary are still flooded with water.

However, no black buck has been found dead inside the Velavadar sanctuary, Barodawala said.

The sanctuary spread over an area of 35 square kms is famous for its large Black Buck population.