Thrissur: The recent deaths of ten deer at Puthur Zoological Park were caused by ‘capture myopathy’, a stress-induced condition, rather than direct injuries from stray dogs, clarified Chief Forest Veterinary Officer Dr Arun Zacharia.

He explained that the deer suffered fatal trauma after running frantically in panic when stray dogs entered the park. “The animals died due to shock and stress after colliding with the enclosure walls while attempting to flee,” he said.

According to Dr Zacharia, the dogs were likely drawn to the zoo by waste discarded by staff or outsiders. “There are possible entry points that stray dogs may have used to enter. These gaps should be identified and sealed without delay,” he added.

Capture myopathy, a severe physiological reaction seen in wild animals during extreme fear or exertion, can lead to muscle breakdown and heart failure. In this case, the panic triggered by the intrusion proved fatal.