16 chital deer died between July 7 and 12 at Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune.
National lab confirmed deaths were due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
PMC Commissioner issued show-cause notices to zoo director and garden superintendent seeking explanation on care and feed quality.
Pune, 1st August 2025: The deaths of 16 chital (spotted deer) at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj have led to serious administrative action, with Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram issuing show-cause notices to two senior officials. The deceased deer were part of a group of 99 housed at the zoo, and the fatalities occurred between July 7 and 12.
An investigation by the National Centre for Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Bhubaneswar confirmed that the animals died due to this viral infection. The incident sparked questions over the quality of care and feed provided to the deer, especially as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) spends crores annually on zoo maintenance and animal welfare.
Following the findings, Commissioner Ram questioned the zoo’s management and signaled possible lapses not just in medical response but also in routine care practices. The notices were served to Garden Superintendent Ashok Ghorpade and Zoo Director Dr. Rajkumar Jadhav, who have been asked to submit their explanations within four days.
In addition to the virus, PMC is also probing whether negligence in diet or care contributed to the outbreak. Authorities have raised concerns such as: was the feed appropriate and adequate, and if so, how did the deer still contract the disease?
Additional Commissioner Omprakash Divte confirmed that both officials have received notices and said, “Further action will be taken based on the explanation submitted by them.”
The case had drawn attention not just locally but from key state and central institutions, leading to a detailed investigation that included postmortem examinations and lab tests. The PMC now awaits the officials’ responses before deciding on the next steps.
