Mizoram’s forest department has been put on alert after the semi-decayed carcasses of at least 10 Serows, the state animal, were found with what appear to be exacerbated skin disease over the past five months in various regions of the state.
The Serow, a small antelope-like animal usually found alone (or in pairs during the mating season), is also a schedule-1 protected animal under the Wildlife Act.
Mizoram’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Lalramthanga said he has asked officials to investigate the findings with the help of veterinarians and also to appeal to the public to immediately report any further finds in future.
Chief Wildlife Warden Liandawla, meanwhile, said six semi-decayed carcasses have been found in the region near Ratu and Darlawn villages of north Mizoram this month, all with tell-tale signs of exacerbated skin diseases.
“One was in fact found alive but extremely weak after locals reported sighting it a little over a week ago. Officials with the help of a veterinarian tried to revive it but could not and it died shortly after it was recovered from a forest neat Sailutar villager,” Liandawla said, adding that specimen, a male, also oozed foam from it’s reproductive organs.
In April, forest officials had also found four Serow carcasses near Serhmun near Kawrthah town in western Mamit district with the same kinds of outward appearances.
Officials are also investigating reports that another Serow has been found in the same condition near Hmunpui village, not far from Lengpui airport just west of Aizawl city.
What has confounded officials is that the recovered carcases are always found in such a state that it is impossible for them to extract meaningful viscera and blood samples, the Wildlife Warden said.
A veterinary field assistant posted at Ratu village had been able to draw some samples from the Serow found alive near Sailutar village a week ago but lack of expertise in wildlife has been prevented them from making any definite diagnosis, he added.