Godavari floods take wildlife too in spate

KAKINADA: Godavari floods have posed a threat not only to people of low-lying areas and islet villages, but they have also endangered wild species like blackbucks, fishing cats and migratory birds, among others.

The Forest department has no statistics on these species but they can be spotted in islets of River Godavari near Pichukulanka, Perulanka and Pulasalanka in Kadiyam and Atreyapuram mandals, apart from Kotipalli and Ravulapalem areas.

Following the record-level flood waters in Godavari, three blackbucks reached the shore of Pottilanka. While farmers could rescue two of them, one of the blackbucks died after being attacked and bitten by stray dogs. Though farmers have sought protection for blackbucks, forest officials are of the opinion that they can take care of themselves and would reach safer places by instinct.

District wildlife officer Selvem told Deccan Chronicle that any attempts to rescue blackbucks from their habitats will prove counterproductive and even life-threatening for them. It is best to let them fend for themselves. “We cannot bring them by boats like cows, goats, or other cattle,” he remarked.

Selvam said there are no statistics of blackbucks in islet villages, as no surveys have been carried out. Approximately, there could be 25–30 of them. Speaking about fishing cats, he said that these species are very sensitive to natural disasters like cyclones, floods and tsunamis. They swim to safer places beforehand and there is no need to worry about them.

According to a wildlife enthusiast, only trained persons must rescue wild animals like blackbucks or deer during floods. He underlined that their numbers are already low due to changing climatic conditions. He felt forest officials should deploy trained personnel for rescuing blackbucks.