Mysuru: In the last 20 days, 14 pelicans-seven each in Kukkarahalli Lake and Kokkare Bellur died and the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Bengaluru has ruled out possibility of bird flu having affected the birds.
Unfortunately, even after 20 days of the first death of a pelican on December 4, the cause of death is yet to be known. Even the premier institute has not located the reason behind the mysterious deaths.
However, the forest department has decided to take up anti-viral and anti-bacteria spraying at both Kokkare Bellur on December 28 and Kukkarahalli Lake on December 29 hoping that it would act as precaution for all diseases.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, Deputy Conservator of forests (wildlife) V Yedukondalu said that while 14 have died one pelican is in critical state.
” In case of bird flu, the birds die immediately,without any symptoms. Their peak and face turn pink. However, in all 14 cases, the face and peak had turned black after death and they all died gradually. Apart from the above two places there are no such reports in other places including Birds Sanctuary in Srirangapatna where birds are very active and healthy,” he said.
