The deer herd roaming in and around Homagama and adjoining areas, will be relocated shortly, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry Media Spokesman W.M.D. Wanninayake said.
Some of these animals died recently due to the rabies infection and there were concerns of spread of rabies in the area. The crop damages were also reported due to those animals. The Ministry spokesman said the animals would soon be relocated in forest reserves, sanctuaries or new zoos which are being built.
He said the health of the deer herd would be checked prior to relocation.
He said some of the deer, wild-boar and monkeys in zoological gardens would also be released to forest reserves and sanctuaries as they are overpopulated.
“Usually only four animals of the same species are kept in a zoo. However, animals such as deer, wild-boar and monkeys have over bred in our zoos, and therefore, the Ministry has taken a decision to relocate the excess number of those herbivorous animals. The relocation of the deer herd in Homagama will be carried out parallel to that,” he said. A new zoological garden is being built in Pinnawala and some animals will be moved there.
