There was visible joy and satisfaction in the staff of the Maharashtra Forest Department and that of Wildlife SOS. It happened when they watched an injured juvenile Sambar deer, they had nursed back to health in six months, walk into freedom in its habitat.

This animal had been rescued by the forest department staff from Tokawade village in Khed Forest Range which is located in Thane district of the State in January this year. It was very grievously injured. The creature was immediately rushed for treatment to the Wildlife SOS’s Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar which is run by the forest department and the NGO.

After an initial check-up it was found that the deer was a female and was approximately nine months old. Closer inspection revealed that she was covered with wounds, along with a fracture on her right forelimb. The wounds were a result of suspected dog bites and the fracture was caused due to a possible collision.

Despite its bad condition, the team was determined to provide the Sambar deer a second chance in the wild. The veterinary team realised that the health of the animal could be at risk if it was kept under anaesthesia.

Talking about the case, Dr. Chandan Sawane, Veterinary Officer, Wildlife SOS said: “We first took the help of fibreglass plaster but did not get the desired result. That is why a minor surgery was performed to treat the Sambar and she was kept under post-surgery observation for a few months to assess whether the deer was able to walk or not.”

After extensive treatment the creature made a remarkable recovery and the NGO and forest department located a suitable habitat and released her after she had spent six months with them recovering from her injury.

Happy with the case, Pradip Roundhal, Range Forest Officer, Khed said: “The Sambar’s encouraging recovery was a positive sign, and we were thrilled to oversee the animal’s eventual release back into the wild.”