The novel coronavirus pandemic has put a question mark on animal count at the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary near the steel city.

Authorities don’t seem sure on how long the nationwide lockdown would continue and are thus keeping their fingers crossed.

Animal census is usually held a week after Bishu Shikar in May but tribal outfits, Dolma Buru Sendra Samity and Dolma Buru Sendra Dishua Samity, which organise the annual hunting festival at the sanctuary, are in a dilemma over announcing dates because of the lockdown.

The authorities are in touch with the tribal outfits to know about their plans on Bishu Shikar but they too are not in a position to come up with dates.

Assistant conservator of forest R.P. Singh said nothing is finalised on the animal census.

“The animal census plan has come to a standstill because of the lockdown. The exercise is usually held a week after Bishu Shikar but the tribal outfits are also in a dilemma over announcing their dates,” he said.

On whether animal census would be conducted this year, he said things depend on the health situation and relaxation of the lockdown. “Let’s see. The animal census could be held in May last week,” Singh said, adding that a lot would depend on when the lockdown was lifted.

The three-day census is based on field surveys and actual sightings near water bodies.