Sports and Public Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge yesterday called for an immediate report on the death of three Sambhur at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens, amidst assertions by animal rights activists that as many as seven animals may have perished due to alledged negligence.

"I have directed that a report be submitted to me on what happened", the Minister said.

The zoo authorities have admitted that three Sambhur had died while trying to escape from their enclosure, but animal rights groups charged that there is a big cover-up to hide the truth from the public eye.

"Six animals have died so far and another is missing", they claimed, accusing zoo officials of "playing down the story to duck responsibility".

As they are highly sensitive animals, the three Sambhur may have perished due to agitation caused by the use of heavy machinery in construction work close to their enclosure, Deputy Director Dhammika Malsinghe was quoted as saying.

Mounds of earth dumped near the enclosure had damaged the mesh allowing the frightened animals to escape, the concerned groups said. "One Sambhur died after its three-pointed antlers got entangled in the mesh".

The din of heavy machines, including a backhoe, had terrified the animals which are very sensitive to noise, they said. "It was a painful death for those innocent creatures".

Asked how many Sambhur had died, Minister Lokuge said he was unaware of the number involved. "I am waiting for the report".

The zoo’s Director Duminda Jayaratne justified the construction work saying it was part of a visitors’ path above the sambhur enclosure and connected to a retention wall.

"It’s obviously gross negligence as zoo officials need to know about the well-being of animals, particularly Sambhur, which are highly sensitive to noise", animals rights activists countered. "They cannot wash their hands off it now".

Zoo officials have so far not admitted that one animal had gone missing, but the activists say that it must be presumably dead now after roaming around the sprawling complex.