Students and the Opposition BRS allege that the commotion and deforestation in the forest area forced the deer into the university premises, where it fell prey to a pack of stray dogs.
Published Apr 06, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 06, 2025 | 11:25 AM
Spotted deer attacked by stray dogs. (Screengrab)
Synopsis: The death of a spotted deer at the University of Hyderabad on April 4 after being attacked by stray dogs has sparked controversy. Students and the Opposition BRS blame habitat disturbances from nearby deforestation, while university officials claim such attacks are common during summer. The incident fuels ongoing protests against the Congress government’s development policies and deforestation in the Kancha Gachibowli area.
The death of a spotted deer on the University of Hyderabad (UoH) campus on Friday, 4 April, has sparked a major controversy, with questions being raised about whether recent habitat disturbances caused by bulldozer activity in the nearby Kancha Gachibowli forest drove the animal into the campus—ultimately making it an easy target for stray dogs.
Students and the Opposition BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi) allege that the commotion and deforestation in the forest area forced the deer into the university premises, where it fell prey to a pack of stray dogs.
However, the university officials argue that the incident is not linked to deforestation. They claim that such attacks are common during summer when deer frequently enter the campus—particularly near the hostels—in search of water, only to be attacked by stray dogs, which are ubiquitous in the area.
According to eyewitnesses, students at the university’s South Campus hostel witnessed the deer being mauled by stray dogs and rushed to its rescue. They managed to chase the dogs away and transported the injured animal to the veterinary hospital in Nallagandla. Unfortunately, the deer was declared dead on arrival.
A video of the incident, showing university security and students scrambling to save the wounded animal, quickly went viral on social media and triggered a wave of outrage. Tragically, the deer suffered a heart attack during transit and died before it could receive medical attention.
Environmentalists and the Opposition BRS quickly attributed the incident to the Congress-led government’s alleged negligence and greed-fueled deforestation policies.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the government. Directly addressing Rahul Gandhi, he wrote: “There is blood on your hands.” He accused the government of mindlessly destroying the Kancha Gachibowli mini-forest—once a thriving habitat now reduced to a bulldozed wasteland.
KTR called the deer’s death a “blatant murder” of wildlife and a symbol of the consequences of unchecked development. He further appealed to the Supreme Court to intervene and prevent further destruction of the area’s fragile ecosystem.
There is blood on your hands, @RahulGandhi
This hapless deer, whose abode was destroyed by a greedy Congress government, was mauled by a pack of dogs this morning
Revanth Reddy’s mindless destruction of the Kancha Gachibowli mini forest has led to the loss of precious flora and… https://t.co/tpA4A0CCdX
— KTR (@KTRBRS) April 4, 2025
Despite the political storm, UoH officials insist there is no direct connection between the ongoing forest clearance and the deer’s death. Speaking to South First, campus security officer Dayanand said, “Dog attacks on deer happen every year on this campus. In summer, the deer wander close to the hostels in search of water, and stray dogs, which tend to target the genitals and hind parts, attack them.”
He revealed that 10 deer were killed in similar attacks last year alone. “This year, too, a couple of deer have already been attacked, including the one that died on Friday,” he said.
Dayanand added that these incidents have been occurring for over a decade, with 10 to 15 deer falling victim annually. “Whenever possible, we rescue the injured animals, treat them at the veterinary hospital, and release them back into their natural habitat in Kancha Gachibowli,” he said, lamenting the rise in the stray dog population on campus.
There are reportedly over 200 stray dogs in the vicinity of the university’s 24 hostels. “Their numbers keep increasing. Whenever it becomes unmanageable, we inform the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), and their team comes to take the dogs away. But more dogs appear soon after,” he added.
Despite the administration’s explanations, the deer’s death has intensified protests. Students and environmentalists see it as further validation of their week-long campaign against deforestation, which has already brought them into conflict with the police and government authorities. They argue that the Congress government’s aggressive development push is endangering Hyderabad’s last remaining green spaces.
The deer’s death has added yet another dimension to the growing tension at the University of Hyderabad as the battle between development and environmental conservation escalates. Although the Supreme Court has temporarily halted the forest clearance, the fight is far from over.
With students and opposition parties gearing up for further action and the state government weighing its legal and political options, the conflict shows no signs of resolution.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
