Hundreds of migratory birds of more than 15 different species and a few local birds were found dead at Rajasthan’s Sambhar Lake, the country’s biggest saltwater lake, which has been a favoured destination for migratory birds from Northern Asia and Siberia including Flamingoes.
According to officials, birds of different species, including Lesser Whistling Duck, Common Coot, Pied Avocet and Caspian Gull, were found dead under mysterious circumstances on Sunday around the lake, spread across 190-230 square km of area in Jaipur.
Kavita Singh, the district forest officer of Jaipur said “A team of veterinary doctors visited the site and carcass samples were sent to laboratories in Jaipur and Bhopal to ascertain the cause of death.” “At this point in time, it’s difficult to say what led to the deaths”she added. The test result is expected to come in four to five days.
Most dead birds were found around Ratan Talab in the Sambhar lake, said officials, adding that the possibility of an avian flu breakout cannot be ruled out though the deaths could also have been caused due to some toxicity in the lake. Some of the injured birds were found unable to walk and had weak legs, as reported by some birdwatchers, who said the death toll could be above one thousand. As said by Forest ranger Rajendra Jakhar, a possible reason could be the hailstorm that hit the area a few days back.
In a similar incident reported a few days ago in Jodhpur, over 30 migratory birds, mostly demoiselle cranes, were found dead near Khichan which is a common winter site for migratory birds.
