ZCZC
BFF-16
INDIA-PEACOCK-DEATH
47 peacocks found dead in India
NEW DELHI, Aug. 5, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – At least 47 peacocks were found
dead in southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, officials said Sunday.
The carcasses were found in Mangalakudi near Kadachanendal in Madurai
district, 455 km southwest of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu.
Wildlife officials have sent the carcasses for post-mortem and suspect
that poisoning to be the cause of death.
“The carcasses were found by villagers, who informed us immediately,” S.
Arumugam, a senior wildlife official posted in Madurai said. “The carcasses
were found scattered over an area of 1 km of the dry channel. We have seized
the carcasses and sent them for post-mortem to ascertain the reasons behind
their sudden death.”
According to Arumugam, the peacocks might have consumed paddy grains laced
with poison.
The deaths have worried the wildlife officials.
Peacocks are protected under the wild life protection law. The punishment
for killing peacock can entail an imprisonment up to seven years.
Last month, deaths of 24 peacocks were recorded in Telangana state.
Peacock is the national bird of India.
BSS/XINHUA/GMR/1237 hrs