HULU KELANG – Social media has been buzzing with the sighting of a deer in housing estates near here since Thursday evening.
Videos and photos of a deer sitting and running by Jalan K5 Taman Melawati and the Riverview Kemensah riverside have been circulated in various residents WhatsApp groups since this morning.
When contacted, a Zoo Negara spokesman confirmed that a male hog deer had escaped from the zoo. A search party was launched thereafter.
“This deer is from a group of deer that are allowed to roam freely within the zoo open area.
“However, it is believed that this deer had found an exit hole through the river stream that leads out from the zoo,” Zoo Negara public relations officer Solihatun Shahidah Othman told The Vibes this evening.
Up until now, it is learnt that the search for the deer has been unsuccessful.
“We will resume the search operations tomorrow morning,” said Solihatun.
Taman Melawati Phase 6 Rukun Tetangga chairman Baharuddin Osman said the neighbourhood was notified of the deer around the housing areas since this afternoon.
“This is the first time that I heard a deer escaping into our neighbourhood.
“We will be on the lookout, and we will inform Zoo Negara and the authorities as soon as possible if we come across the animal,” he said, adding that the Phase 6 neighbourhood borders the zoo separated by a 10 feet wall.
Solihatun urges members of the public who have spotted the deer to immediately contact Zoo Negara search team leader Chris at 016-916 2359. – The Vibes, February 18, 2023
