The release of 17 black deer in Fort Abbas has led to a significant increase in the population of this previously extinct species. This successful reintroduction has brought about favorable outcomes, marking a positive development after a gap of 53 years. In 1967, the black deer population in the Cholistan desert, believed to be their native habitat, had become extinct.
In the year 2000, Punjab Wildlife, in collaboration with the Pakistan Army, embarked on an initiative to reintroduce the black deer into their natural environment. Zahid Ali, the District Wildlife Officer of Bahawalnagar, shared this information, highlighting the efforts made to release the deer back into the wild.
Pre-release pens were created with the cooperation of the Pakistan Army to rehabilitate the populace. In November of this year, a group of black deer was transferred to Khairpur Tamiwali for the first time. The purpose of the pre-release enclosures is to assist the animals to learn to survive in the wild and maintain themselves alive.
To improve their acclimation to the surroundings, the group was transported from Khairpur Tamiwali to another pre-release facility established in Fort Abbas in September 2020. 17 black deer were eventually released into the wild. Different varieties of natural grass have also been cultivated to safeguard the safety of the animals, as well as a monitoring system and checkpoints to ward off hunters.
No animals have perished or been hunted as of yet. Black deer are being observed regularly after being released, according to Punjab Wildlife officials.
