Wednesday saw the reintroduction of a rare species of blackbuck known as “krushnasara” by the Odisha Forest Department at the Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary in the Konark area of the Puri district. In the sanctuary, the unusual animal was on the verge of extinction.
Up to ten rare species from Bhubaneswar’s Nandankanan Zoo were released into the sanctuary as part of an Odisha government special initiative.
Six of the Blackbucks that were released are reportedly female. The 30-hectare forest will have a special enclosure where the animals will be kept in quarantine. The animals’ health will be evaluated following their month-long confinement in quarantine. Throughout the quarantine, the blackbucks will be under the supervision of a dedicated team.
According to sources, more blackbucks will be released into the sanctuary to boost its population if the project is successful.
