Masinagudi forest officials penalized three tourists from Andhra Pradesh with a fine of Rs 15,000 for disturbing a herd of spotted deer on the Masinagudi-Theppakadu road inside the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) on Saturday.

The incident occurred when the group stopped their vehicle at Mandradiyar after spotting a herd of deer grazing near the forest. Three members—identified as Abdullah Khan (23), Abdul Aziz (28), and Ibrahim Sheikh (30)—entered the forest area, shouting loudly, as per a report on The New Indian Express. One of them even chased the animals, causing the frightened deer to retreat deeper into the woods.

Masinagudi Forest Range Officer N. Balaji, who happened to pass by, witnessed the act and detained the trio. Following instructions from MTR Deputy Director P. Arunkumar, a fine of Rs 15,000 was imposed, reported DT Next. After paying the penalty, the individuals were released with a stern warning.

The incident was also recorded as a video by a passersby. 

The incident occurred in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, where a young individual stepped out of a car bearing the registration number AP16CV0001 and was seen chasing and disturbing a herd of deer within the forest area. Such actions are strictly prohibited as they disrupt the… pic.twitter.com/p0mnf0s7Lz

— Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) November 19, 2024

Earlier, a 65-year-old man was killed by captive elephant at Theppakadu Elephant camp in December last year. 

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, located around 240 km from Bengaluru and 68 km from Ooty, is a popular tourist destination known for its rich biodiversity. Authorities reiterated the importance of respecting wildlife and adhering to forest rules, emphasising that reckless behaviour not only endangers animals but also poses risks to human safety.

Forest officials warned that stringent measures would be taken against such violations in the future to ensure the protection of the reserve’s flora and fauna.