20 Peacocks Found Dead Under Mysterious Circumstances in Tumakuru
Forest officials launch probe; samples sent for forensic analysis after villagers report mass deaths
Bengaluru: As many as 17 peahens and 3 peacocks were found dead at various locations in Hanumanthapura village of Midageshi in Madhugiri taluk of Tumakuru district on Saturday and a probe has been ordered into the mass death of peacocks/hens under Deputy Conservator of Forests, Tumakuru by Minister of Forests and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre on Monday.
Meanwhile, sources in Tumakuru forest department told Deccan Chronicle, sowing operations are going at a brisk pace in Madhugiri taluk by farmers and some farmers have mixed chemicals to seeds they have sown in their agricultural fields to protect them from raiding birds and the peacocks/hens might have fed on sown seeds and died.
The carcasses of peacocks/hens were discovered in about 5 locations, said the forest official and the peacocks/hens fed on maize seeds leading to their deaths in Madhugiri.
Necropsy on the dead peacocks/hens and the samples of dead birds have been subjected for tests in the Forensic Science Laboratory to determine the exact cause of death of these birds.
“We are awaiting FSL report to act further with regard to mass deaths of peacocks,” said the forest source and stated “Since peacocks/hens were found in various locations, it could not be ascertained to a particular farmer.” The Minister has set a deadline of 5-days to complete the probe over mass peacock/hens death.
