14 peafowl die mysteriously in Bulandshahar

Bulandshahar (UP), Mar 19 : Atleast 14 peafowl have perished mysteriously in Bulandshahar, a town of Uttar Pradesh.

Veterinary officials fear that the rampant use of insecticides may have caused unexpected deaths.

Officials found the carcasses of over 14 peafowl in Mirzapur village of the town.

"The exact reasons for their death are still unknown, but perhaps anti-fungal or insecticides sprayed on mango trees are the reason. They seem to have eaten dead insects, which resulted in their deaths," claimed V.K.Singh Verma, a veterinary officer of Bulandshahar.

According to villagers, the number of dead peafowl is far more than what has been cited by officials.

"About 50 peafowl have died. Carcasses of more than 30 peafowl have been recovered by the villagers. Some of these have been eaten by dogs and other animals. People say that pesticide is the cause of these sudden deaths," said Kamal, a villager.

Officials are sending the dead peafowl for post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death.

Peafowl showing symptoms of sickness are being vaccinated by the veterinary department.

The peacock is the country's national bird.

The peacock is widely found in the subcontinent and is fully protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection) Act, 1972.

ANI