Thrissur Zoo Shuttered After Stray Dog Attack Kills 10 Deer

In a tragic incident, 10 deer were found dead at the newly opened Puthur Zoological Park in Thrissur, Kerala on November 13, 2025. The deaths occurred after a stray dog attack triggered mass panic among the animals.

According to officials, a team of animal care staff first spotted the carcasses on the morning of November 13th, following which entry to the zoo was immediately suspended. The park had been inaugurated just last month, on October 28th, by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

A team led by Chief Forest Veterinary Officer Dr. Arun Zacharia inspected the site and determined that the deer died due to "capture myopathy" - a life-threatening condition caused by extreme stress. Dr. Zacharia explained that the deer panicked and ran blindly in fear, crashing into the enclosure walls as stray dogs entered through a narrow path.

Authorities have now appointed a three-member committee to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident. The preliminary report is expected within four days, while the final findings are due within two weeks. Meanwhile, the zoo remains closed as officials work to seal any loopholes that allowed the stray dogs to enter the premises.

The tragic incident has sparked criticism on social media, with many questioning how such a lapse could occur in India's first "designer zoo", touted as one of the largest in Asia. Experts stress the need for robust safety measures to prevent such catastrophic events in the future.