Pune: The Indian Bison, which was rescued from Kothrud area, died within a few hours of the successful chase by the forest officials. The animal - listed as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - had sustained injuries to his head after he smashed it against the walls of bungalows located inside the Mahatma Society in Kothrud.
How did the Indian Bison enter Mahatma Society?
The age of the Indian Bison spotted at Kothrud was four years old. The animal was first spotted at around 5.30 am at lane number 1 of the Mahatma society by some residents who had stepped out for a morning walk.
Sources say that the Bison had come from the jungle area surrounding the National Defense Academy (NDA) and lost his way. The animal then strayed into the Mahatma Society area.
Human Crowd
Initially, some people saw him and thought it was a cow or buffalo and neglected it. However, some residents realised that it was an Indian Bison after which panic set in amongst them.
The news of an Indian Bison entering a human colony spread like a wildfire in the area. A few hundred people came out on roads and near the society to 'have a look' and possibly click a selfie or photo with the animal.
Panic
Upon seeing human crowds gathering nearby, the Indian Bison panicked and started hitting walls of bungalows inside the Mahatma Society. Due to this, he got injuries on his head and nose.
Meanwhile, local police, Pune Municipal Authorities and Forest Officials were informed about the animal. The forest officials arrived at the spot and tried to calm the Indian Bison. The forest officials, allegedly, did not have enough stock of tranquilizers to sedate the animal.
Irresponsible human behaviour
The Indian Bison had panicked and tried to run away from the crowd. He jumped over the Mahatma Society compound wall. The animal then went towards Bhusari Colony, Gadiya Estate, Bharati Nagar and then landed on the main Paud Road.
The team of forest officials was following the animal. They had to tranquilize him and shot three darts, however the attempt failed. Large number of people were also following the team and shouting loudly. The animal which was already panicked had by then travelled six to seven kilometres and was headed towards the jungle area near the old garbage depot.
After three hours of chase and efforts, the Indian Bison got trapped in a net laid at the Rutugandh bungalow in Bharati Nagar society on Paud Road. He was sedated by the forest officials and taken away in a van. However, he succumbed to the injuries within a few minutes after he was rescued.
Eye witnesses say that the irresponsible human behaviour caused the animal to panic. During his entire seven kilometre run, the animal did not attack or injure any human in his way. If people had behaved responsibly, the animal would have not panicked and his life could have been saved.
