Winged visitors roasted alive at bird sanctuary

Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, Aug 2 (UNI) Six migratory birds and eight chicks were roasted alive and more than 100-year-old tamarind tree, in which they had nested, was burnt in an accidental fire at the bird sanctuary in Elayirampannai village near Sattur town in this district.

Police today here said fire on the old tamarind tree was initially noticed by students of a High School, close to the sanctuary, late on Tuesday evening. Flames from the waste burnt beneath the tree could be the cause for the fire, police said.

On information, fire service personnel from Sattur rushed to the village and doused the flames. However, the fire raged again on the tree late last night and it was completely burnt.

Fire service personnel also recovered carcasses of six migratory birds and with eight chicks.

The bird sanctuary situated in a sylvan surrounded by small lakes and a check dam, attracts migratory birds from many countries. The winged visitors, which arrive here in January during the mating season stay till the end of August.

The Elayirampannai police have registered a case.

UNI