BackMigratory birds in Sultanpur may have died due to pesticides: official
Authorities shut Sultanpur National Park for a week after the deaths of 45 birds sparked fears of an outbreak of avian flu
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New Delhi: A senior official at a popular wildlife park near Delhi where 45 migratory birds were found dead on Saturday morning said the birds seemed to have eaten pesticide-laced crops in the vicinity.
Authorities have shut the Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon for a week, after the deaths sparked fears of an outbreak of avian flu, caused by the H5N1 virus.
“Prima facie, it appears to be case of dying due to consuming crops from nearby farms where farmers use pesticides. Doctors in initial examination found them to be healthy. Had it been avian flu, all birds would not have died together. But we would officially point at the reason only after the report comes," said the official, who did not want to be named.
The dead birds were found at one spot during routine morning rounds by sanctuary officials, district wildlife officer Kulwinder Singh told Mint, adding the park would soon re-open if no new deaths are recorded in next few days,
“Majority of the 45 birds were Eurasian coots and most were found dead on the same spot in a radius of few meters. They have been sent for testing till then we can’t point at the reason of their death. The park is shut for a week but will open if no new deaths are reported in next few days," said Singh.
The officials have sent the dead birds to laboratories for testing.
Every winter, as many as 40,000 migratory birds from central Asia and Europe throng the park. During harsh winters, the number falls to 15,000-16,000 birds.
Haryana’s additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Dr Amarinder Kaur said authorities were taking all precautions and reports were awaited to ascertain the exact cause of death.
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