Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary has witnessed a baby boom during the lockdown.

The number of spotted deer or chital (Axix axis) has climbed to 83 following the birth of 13 babies.

The animals have been kept at an open enclosure in the company of sambars at Makulakocha, the gateway to the 192 sq km elephant abode, 30km from the steel city.

The foresters are giving proper medical care to the newborns with help from government veterinarians.“We ensure the visit of vets every alternate day. The mothers and babies are healthy,” said Dalma range officer (west) Dinesh Chandra.

He said the vets also checked the health of three captive female elephants every alternate day. The

jumbos stay under a shed at Makulakocha.

Tourists visiting the sanctuary after relaxation of the lockdown can look forward to watching the little chitals at their playful best. The chital enclosure is located beside the plush air-conditioned cottages in Makulakocha.

In view of the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, the enclosure hosting the herbivores is being sanitised with potassium permanganate on a daily basis.

Besides the addition of new members to the spotted deer family, there is more good news in store for the sanctuary. Trackers, or village youths recruited as daily wage earners to keep tab on the movement of animals, said some elephants were pregnant and might deliver babies soon.

The elephants are now stationed uphill and some have bulging bellies. At least three elephants were spotted in this condition near Majhla Bandh three days back,” one of the trackers said.

Range officer Chandra also said some jumbos could be pregnant.

“The elephants are currently scattered everywhere uphill. Only a few are found on the foothills. Over a dozen elephants moved uphill this (Wednesday) morning,” he added.

According to him, the lockdown has given a fresh lease of life to the animals..

“A peacock was spotted on the courtyard of a villager the other day. Such scenes are rare in this sanctuary. The lockdown and restricted human movement have given the much-needed freedom to the animals,” Chandra added.