The deer, which veterinarians say are an extremely sensitive species, were transported in brutal conditions. Their limbs were trussed up and they were dumped in a hired tempo for the bumpy ride to the Borivli National Park, some 70 km away. The park is the repository for all animals captured in and around Mumbai.

Found at Salim Khan's Panvel farm after a raid on Thursday night, an overdose of tranquilisers administered by forest officials coupled with the haphazard transportation, proved fatal for this rare species of deer. An autopsy of the animal at Bombay Vetrinary College (BVC) on Friday morning also revealed that traumatic shock, concussion and injury led to the death of the animal in transit to the national park.

Another observation found that the animal died of remen gases accumulated in the abdomen whenit was tied and made to rest on one side. Its intestines were found to be swollen, said Dr A Samad, professor of medicine at the BVC.

The park's vetenarian Dr Ranbir Barhate had left for Bangalore to bring in a pair of tigers for the safari which is being set up at Borivli. In his absence, an assistant had doubled up to tranquilise the deers and transport them from Panvel to Borivli.

Deputy Conservator of Forest A R Bharthi told Express Newsline

that the Blackbuck was found dead after it was brought from Panvel around 4 am this morning. The carcass has been sent to the BVC for post mortem, he said. But BVC doctors told Express Newsline

that proper procedures for administering the tranquiliser did not appear to have been followed.

According to Dr L Sarkate, professor of surgery at the BVC, even the prick of the injection could prove fatal for the deer. A timely antidote could have saved the deer, he pointed out. ``The animals should have been transported in an ambulance with a soft beddingof grass or any soft material. The animals should have been tied while in transit and an experienced vetrinarian should have accompanied the animals,'' said Dr Sarkate.

However, Alibag forest officials said the Blackbuck was bleeding from the mouth even before it was confiscated. The animal died in transit, officials added.

The pair of confiscated Chinkaras have been quarantined in an enclosure at the Borivli National Park. The three-year-old deer, who appear to be in good health, were seen foraging amidst the sylvan surroundings of the park this morning.

The two-year-old peahen too has been caged before it will be released in the wild. ``The animals are too domesticated and it will take a while before they will be released in the wild,'' Bharathi said.

Arms found

The forest officials who raided the Khans' farmhouse at Brindavan, Panvel, last night found three weapons -- one Magnum 315 rifle, one double barrel shotgun of German make and one semi-automatic German revolver. It is not yet knownwhether they were licensed weapons.

The forest department, which has no authority to seize the weapons unless they have proof that the arms were used to hunt animals, has merely made a panchnama and is expected to refer the matter to the superintendent of police, Raigad for suitable action. It will be up to the Raigad police then to verify if they were licensed weapons.