Kohima, Nov. 2: A number of endangered red serows ( Capricornis rubidus) have been found dead around three villages from Changkikong range in Mokokchung district.

Reports from Khar, Mongchen and Debuia villages said carcasses of this wild goat-antelope, known by the Ao Naga community as Jangsah/Shio, were found in many places since September.

A member of the village council at Khar village said six carcasses were found in different locations in September while four were found at Mongchen.

The villagers said the carcasses bore no injuries.

A village council member of Debuia reported five deaths.

The village councils have asked the residents not to bring the carcasses inside the village.

I. Longri, MLA from 29 Jangpetkong Assembly constituency, has informed additional deputy commissioner Mangkolemba and asked him to direct the departments concerned, such as the forest and veterinary and animal husbandry departments, to ascertain the cause of the mysterious deaths.

The additional deputy commissioner of Mangkolemba, Wapang Ao, said two senior officials of the forest department were deputed by the conservator of forests, Mokokchung, to look into the problem.

He also directed the villagers not to consume the antelope's meat.

Reports from Khar village said they had not seen any hoof marks of the red serows lately, which they had often found in the mountains earlier. This might indicate that this endangered species might have completely disappeared.

The villagers are trying to ascertain if the one-horned antelopes were killed by an epidemic.

Falcon warning

Mokokchung deputy commissioner Sushil Kumar Patel has directed all village councils in the district and village heads who are agents of the district administration to enforce a ban on trapping, killing and selling of Amur falcons in their respective areas.

It is mandatory for the state government to protect the species during its stopover in the state.

Administrative officers and police personnel would also ensure the complete ban on hunting/killing of birds and animals within Mokokchung district.

The Amur falcon is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, wherein the trapping, killing and selling of the birds is a criminal offence punishable with three years rigorous imprisonment or with a fine of Rs 25,000 or both.

A state government statement said over five lakh Amur falcons have already arrived in the state.