CANACONA: With no natural predators the Indian Gaur population has increased by leaps and bounds in Canacona taluka. Now with frequent sightings on the periphery of the villages the residents fear that they might get attacked if they are allowed to stray so close to the locality.
Cotigao Wild Life Sanctuary, which has an area of about 86 sq kms, is the second largest in Goa and is located in the southern part of Canacona taluka. With lush green deciduous and tropical evergreen forests as well as lifelines in Talpona and Galgibaga rivers flowing through the sanctuary it has become a perfect heaven for wild animals which have expanded their populace by many folds in recent years.
The absence of beasts of prey, like tigers in this wild reserve, has led to multiplication of Gaurs in the years gone by. This perhaps, say sources, may be the main reason Gaurs enter into areas inhabited by humans in search of food leading to man-animal conflict. Of late residents of Pedem in Loliem have witnessed successive encounters of Gaurs in the residential areas.
Sydney Coutinho, a resident of Pedem in Loliem near whose house a male adult Gaur strayed on Friday voicing his grievances to Herald said that he had this herbivorous animal in his backyard. He said the bison grazed among the greens for more than half an hour and by the time forest officials arrived it had made its escape.
“However, till now these animals have not attacked anyone in the taluka. But these wild animals coming so close our houses has left the residents worried as every household in the locality has children,” Coutinho said.
