BURI RAM: A pregnant hog deer, believed to be from a wildlife sanctuary, was killed after being hit by a vehicle on a highway in Non Din Daeng district of this northern province early on Sunday.
The hog deer is a protected species that gets its name from the hog-like manner in which it ducks under obstacles instead of leaping over them like most other deer.
Boontham Kongsukmak, president of the Lam Nang Rong tambon administration organisation (TAO) in Non Din Daeng district, went to examine the scene of the accident - between kilometre markers 86-87 on Highway 348 (Buri Ram-Ta Phraya) near Ban Khlong Hin in tambon Lam Nang Rong - after being alerted by local villagers.
He said the hog deer, about three years old, was lying dead on the road with a foetus visibly protruding from its ruptured belly.
Local residents told Mr Boontham that at about 4am the animal was hit by a vehicle travelling at high speed on the road running through the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. The vehicle dragged the deer for about 30 metres from point of impact.
Mr Boontham contacted wildlife sanctuary officials, who later took the carcass to their office for examination.
According to local residents, accidents like this occur frequently, taking the lives of many wild animals crossing the highway to forage for food in nearby plantations.
The Lam Nang Rong TAO and Don Yai Wildlife Sanctuary have put up signs warning motorists to beware of hitting wild animals and slow down while driving on this part of the highway - but accidents still happen, Mr Boontham said.
Hog deer are protected under the Wildlife Reserve and Protection Act of 1960. The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department has had some success in breeding hog deer.
On July 24, 2017, 66 hog deer bred by the department were released into the wild in the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary in tambon Lam Nang Rong of Buri Ram's Non Din Daeng district.
Check out this Thai Hog Deer eating handheld grass at the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya Thailand! Read the... https://t.co/DQHsg7voNn
— Common Sensible (@commonsensibled) November 24, 2016
