TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: A bison has been found dead in Chandel village in Pernem taluka in land that has been acquired by the government as part of the proposed Mopa airport.
Speaking to Herald, forest officials confirmed the death and said they have conducted a panchanama and had already sent the remains of the carcass for a post mortem examination.
“Yes, it is true a bison has died. We have found the body and have sent it for post mortem after conducting a panchanama,” a forest official told Herald.
“The cause of death is yet to be ascertained. That will be known only once we receive the report,” he said when asked whether it was the job of poachers.
Officials said the head and hooves of the Indian Bison (Gaur), were found in the forest in Advem village of Chandel within area that has already been acquired by the government for the Mopa airport.
Villagers from the area where the new airport is coming up have been claiming that the area is a hotbed of wildlife and not a barren plateau with the thickly forested areas being home to bisons and deer.
Locals alleged that the news of the bison ~ who could have been killed anytime over the weekend ~ was initially sought to be hushed up by authorities.
