Barking deer injured in highway accident near Mahad shifted to Pune for treatment

An injured barking deer was rescued and shifted to Bavdhan, Pune, for advanced veterinary treatment after being hit by an unidentified vehicle on the Mumbai-Goa National Highway near PG City in Mahad on Monday morning. The accident occurred at around 11:00 AM when the animal, locally known as a bhekar, wandered onto the highway.

The barking deer is believed to have strayed away from its herd in the adjoining forest before wandering onto the busy highway. It was then struck by a passing vehicle, which fled the scene. The impact of the collision left the animal with severe injuries to its abdomen.

Following the incident, local citizens alerted the authorities. A rescue team from the Mahad Forest Department quickly rushed to the spot on the highway. The team, which comprised officials, forest guards, and field personnel, successfully rescued the injured animal and brought it to the Mahad Forest Range Office.

At the range office, the forest department staff administered immediate first aid to stabilize the deer's condition. Due to the nature of the abdominal injuries, officials decided that the animal required specialized veterinary care. It was subsequently shifted by ambulance to the Rescue Charitable Trust located in Bavdhan, Pune, for advanced treatment.

"The barking deer appears to have wandered onto the highway after getting separated from its herd in the nearby forest," a Mahad Forest Officer said. "It sustained abdominal injuries in the collision. We provided immediate first aid and have shifted it to a specialised wildlife rescue facility in Pune for further treatment. Once it makes a full recovery, it will be released back into its natural habitat in the Mahad forest."

The rescue operation was carried out entirely by the officials and staff of the Mahad Forest Department. The animal remains under close observation at the specialized facility in Pune as it undergoes veterinary care.