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| Newindpress.com,
12 Jan 05 In death zone, basic instincts worked IST POINT CALIMERE: What was once the stuff of legend has been comprehensively demonstrated on the ground in this wildlife sanctuary. Cold statistics and matching eyewitness accounts tell the rest of the story. K R Ramachandran, forest officer of the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary at Kodaikarai, some 65 km from Nagapattinam, says that 8 to 10 minutes before the waves crashed into the sanctuary, all the guards standing in observation towers saw the same spectacle: Virtually every animal, including droves of black bucks, spotted deer, wild boar and jackals, dashed towards higher grounds and stood there—like students at a school assembly. ‘‘Our staff made a physical inspection and found only one wild boar dead. Probably it was sick and could not make it,’’ said Ramachandran. ‘‘There are 2,200 animals of various species at the sanctuary and all of them are safe.’’ Among the animals that sensed the danger and fled were 1,800 black bucks, 250 spotted deer, 40 feral horses, and a number of wild boars and jackals which inhabit the 321 sq km sanctuary. ‘‘Even the guard at the lighthouse nearby saw the animals suddenly run inside the sanctuary,’’ said Ramachandran. ‘‘Our birds—flamingoes and migratory ducks—also flew away before the waters came. They returned an hour later and started feeding as if nothing happened.’’ The lowlands have been totally ravaged by the sea water forcing the forest department to close down the sanctuary. Forest officials said rainwater harvesting systems, fresh water ponds and water holes have been inundated by sea water, rendering them useless. ‘‘The sanctuary is closed for public. The receding water has deposited a lot of mud which has not yet dried and it is almost impossible to enter the sanctuary. Only guards take rounds to make sure the animals are safe,’’ said Jaganathan, a forest guard. Ramachandran added that the biggest threat was faced by black bucks which stay close to the sea. Although the other animals were deeper inside, even they made a dash to higher grounds. They are still staying away from the sea and fortunately for them, the small water holes inside the sanctuary have not been touched by sea water. The sanctuary is famous for its 40 wild horses. Although the waters have receded, they are still seen grazing on elevated grounds and hillocks. links Related articles on Tsunami and the environment |
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