Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Nine peahens, two peacocks found dead
Amrita Chaudhry
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Ludhiana, December 26
Nine peahens and two peacocks were found dead at Laddowal forest here today. Laddowal is about 15 kms from the city. While investigations are on, veterinary doctors say the death of these birds could out due to an avian flu.
Peacock, the national bird, is listed in Schedule I of endangered species.
Dr Sandeep Jain, State Honorary Wildlife Warden, visited the spot on getting the information. He told Newsline, ?Today morning Forest Guard Jasvir Singh, posted at Laddowal Forest, found two dead of peacocks in the forest around Satluj river. He informed his senior officials and animal welfare activists. On further search, 11 of these birds were found dead, including nine peahens.
They were brought to Government Veterinary Dispensary at Haibowal.?
Dr JK Uppal, Senior Veterinary Officer at the dispensary, added that since it was a case of the death of a wild animal and that too of endangered species, they sent the bodies to Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL) at Jalandhar. Dr Uppal did not speculate on the cause of death. THe report is expected on Thursday.
Dr Jain, who is also chief coordinator of Care of Animals and Protection of Environment (CAPE) India, said the possible causes of death in such case could only be poisoning or a disease. He pointed out that the migratory birds that come to the state in the season might be carriers of avian flu, not reported in state so far, or some other disease.
Another reason, he said, could be the poison-coated seeds sown in fields around the area. The animals might have strayed on to the field for eating the freshly-sown seeds. Human poachers could be another cause, said Dr Jain.
Peacock fat is considered to be an aphrodisiac, according to Dr Jain. Cases of peacock poaching in the state are reported from time to time.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Nine-peahens-two-peacocks-found-dead/254595/
Amrita Chaudhry
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Ludhiana, December 26
Nine peahens and two peacocks were found dead at Laddowal forest here today. Laddowal is about 15 kms from the city. While investigations are on, veterinary doctors say the death of these birds could out due to an avian flu.
Peacock, the national bird, is listed in Schedule I of endangered species.
Dr Sandeep Jain, State Honorary Wildlife Warden, visited the spot on getting the information. He told Newsline, ?Today morning Forest Guard Jasvir Singh, posted at Laddowal Forest, found two dead of peacocks in the forest around Satluj river. He informed his senior officials and animal welfare activists. On further search, 11 of these birds were found dead, including nine peahens.
They were brought to Government Veterinary Dispensary at Haibowal.?
Dr JK Uppal, Senior Veterinary Officer at the dispensary, added that since it was a case of the death of a wild animal and that too of endangered species, they sent the bodies to Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL) at Jalandhar. Dr Uppal did not speculate on the cause of death. THe report is expected on Thursday.
Dr Jain, who is also chief coordinator of Care of Animals and Protection of Environment (CAPE) India, said the possible causes of death in such case could only be poisoning or a disease. He pointed out that the migratory birds that come to the state in the season might be carriers of avian flu, not reported in state so far, or some other disease.
Another reason, he said, could be the poison-coated seeds sown in fields around the area. The animals might have strayed on to the field for eating the freshly-sown seeds. Human poachers could be another cause, said Dr Jain.
Peacock fat is considered to be an aphrodisiac, according to Dr Jain. Cases of peacock poaching in the state are reported from time to time.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Nine-peahens-two-peacocks-found-dead/254595/