Over 200 migratory birds found dead in Maharashtra

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Feb 24 (UNI) Over 200 migratory 'shank' birds - a species normally found in the hilly Ladakh region, were found dead in a lake at Gandheli near here in central Maharashtra.

Officials of the State Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) have confirmed the deaths and said the birds might have died over a period of a week or so. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the birds had died of pneumonia, they said.

Deputy Commissioner of the AHD J M Doiphode has said no symptoms of bird flu were found in these migrated birds. However, samples of their viscera has been sent to the Pune's National Institute of Virology and Bhopal-based High Security Animal Disease Laboratory.

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