A large number of carcasses of serows (goat-antelope) were found in two different parts of Mizoram, prompting the state Environment and Forests department to launch an investigation.
Lalrinmawia, a senior wildlife official in the department, today said that the sighting of dead serows were reported by villagers in the western part as well as in the north-eastern part of the state.
Around 20 serows died in the forest near western Mizoram's Serhmun village in recent days while the death of some serows also poured in from the Mizoram-Manipur border Darlawn village (in the north-eastern part).
"We sent department officials to both areas to probe the deaths and their reports are being awaited," Lalrinmawia said.
He said the officials were instructed to ascertain the cause of the deaths - whether natural ones due to old age or caused by any outbreak of disease.
Serow is the state animal of Mizoram and regarded as one of an endangered species.
