As abundant chital cost authorities dearly, a tiny Andaman island struggles to keep up

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Chital- an invasive species in A&N islands:

Chital were introduced to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for game hunting in the early 1900s by the British.
The Chital multiplied in an unchecked environment and in the absence of large predators had now become a problem for authorities.
The chital is predominantly found in the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, which lies east of Port Blair.
To deal with the invasive species, the department has been seeking solutions, to either rehabilitate the chital or relocate them elsewhere.
Legal provisions for translocation of an animal:
- Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, an officer of the rank of Chief Wildlife Warden can permit translocation for the purpose of scientific management.
- The law mandates that such translocation should cause minimum trauma to animals.

About Chital:

Scientific Name – Cervus axis; Axis axis
Chital is an herbivorous, Asiatic deer, belonging to the family Cervidae.
It lives in grasslands and forests in India and Sri Lanka in herds.
Its spotted coat is reddish brown above and white below.
The male chital is larger and heavier than the female chital.
The male chital alone carries three-tined antlers.
State Animal – It is the state animal of Telangana.
Conservation Status –
- IUCN – Least Concern
- CITES – Not Listed