Pune: Katraj Zoo Disposes of 176 Deer Antlers as per Wildlife Disposal Rules
Katraj, 27th May 2025: In a move reflecting both legal compliance and ecological responsibility, the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj, operated by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), carried out the lawful disposal of naturally fallen deer antlers on Tuesday. The process was executed in accordance with the Wildlife Disposal of Wild Animal Article Rules, 2023, under the guidance of the Deputy Conservator of Forests (Regional), Pune.
The disposal took place at 11 am within the zoo’s museum premises, with key officials including Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Tushar Chavan, Assistant Conservator of Forests Mangesh Tate, and Forest Range Officer Suresh Varak overseeing the operation. Other attendees included representatives from the forest department, PMC officials, and wildlife conservationists such as Honorary Wildlife Conservator Aditya Paranjpe and Zoo Director Dr. Rajkumar Jadhav.
A total of 176 antlers, shed naturally by species such as sambar, chital, and bhekar deer, were collected over time by the zoo. In compliance with wildlife disposal regulations, the antlers were destroyed using a flammable gas-based burner. The process was conducted transparently, with panchnama documentation and video recording to ensure proper procedural adherence.
A committee, chaired by the Deputy Conservator of Forests and formed as per forest department directives, was tasked with overseeing the procedure. The initiative emphasizes the importance of ethical and environmentally sound disposal of wildlife remains, ensuring they do not enter illegal markets or become subject to misuse.
“Proper and legal destruction of the natural remains of wild animals is crucial—not just for environmental reasons but also from an administrative and regulatory standpoint,” said an official from the Forest Department. “We believe that similar procedures should be routinely implemented in zoos across the country.”
