22 deer skeletons buried inside a deer park exhumed in Uttar Pradesh

Agra, Oct 2 (ANI): District administration and wildlife officials exhumed at least 22 skeletons of deer buried inside a deer park located in Agra (Uttar Pradesh) on Wednesday evening.

Based on information that a number of carcasses of deer had been buried surreptitiously, the District Magistrate of Agra ordered digging of suspected points in the park.

"We got information that there was some discrepancy in the number of deer deaths put on record. We also got information that some deer had been buried secretly. We got the land excavated at five suspected points. At two points' bodies resembling that of deer have been found," said Manoj Kumar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Sadar, Agra.

While investigations are on to ascertain any foul play, the caretakers of the park are tightlipped on the matter.

The forest officials said they would investigate the matter and find out the real reason behind the death of so many deer.

"This year, there has been a heavy rainfall. Experts cite this as a possible reason for deer casualties. As instructed by the District Forest Officer of the forest department here, a wild life committee is looking into the matter," said R.R.P. Sinha, Deputy Superintendent, deer park, Agra.

The mysterious deer deaths have left the forest authorities in Uttar Pradesh speechless.

India has a distinction of having largest number of deer species in the world. (ANI)