Seven rare deer were reported dead in Bahawalpur Zoo on Saturday.
According to reports, it is suspected that the animals died after eating poisonous fodder. At least 12 other deer at the zoo are in critical condition.
The deer who died were of a rare breed.
The zoo management claimed that dozens of deer suddenly started falling ill. Seven of them died within a short period after falling ill while 22 were rescued and treated.
“12 are still in critical condition,” added the management.
According to the administration, the cause of the deaths has not yet been ascertained. Their samples have been sent to Lahore for further investigation.
The Bahawalpur Zoo curator said the cause of death will only be known after an autopsy.
With little legislation to safeguard animal welfare, zoos across Pakistan are notorious for their poor conditions. Recently, the Peshawar Zoo lost its fourth giraffe in 2020, just a few days after a black bear’s alleged death. Similarly, the Sindh High Court, earlier this week ordered the Karachi Zoo management to shift Rano from her 25-foot wide Victorian ‘grotto’ pit to another open cage.
