Animals feel the heat

even though firefighters did their best to contain the spreading fire in Madumalai wildlife sanctuary in the Nilgris recently, more than 400 hectares of forest area was destroyed. The thick smoke forced the wild animals such as elephants and deer to come out on the main highway, cutting through the 321-square-kilometre sanctuary located at Udhagamandalam in Tamil Nadu.

Wildlife warden Ashok Upratti admitted that the situation was serious. Officials concerned suspected vandalism and sabotage behind the sudden outbreak of fire. Flames were fuelled by the extremely dry grass and litter of leaves. Although the bush fire may not have affected big game, it is feared that many reptiles must have been charred to death.