TO THE RESCUE
The yellow wagtails have been found dead along the banks of the Koyna river in Karad TO THE RESCUE The yellow wagtails have been found dead along the banks of the Koyna river in Karad TO THE RESCUE Kolhapur: Around 25 to 30 yellow wagtails have been found dead along the banks of the Koyna river in Karad, prompting concerns over the cause of their deaths. No other bird species was found dead in nearby locality, however, near around 5 to 6 birds got washed away in the river flow. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in Kolhapur Stay updated with the latest Kolhapur news.
BNHS member and honorary wildlife warden with the Satara forest department Rohan Bhate said, “Yellow wagtails are migratory birds that visit India during the winter season. Samples collected from the birds have been sent to specialised laboratories in Bhopal and Pune, with reports expected in the next three to four days. The incident came to the notice of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). Following Central govt guidelines, samples were sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. The tests are expected to establish whether the deaths were caused by an infectious disease, including bird flu , another viral infection or an environmental factor. The exact cause remains unknown. They are commonly found in open habitats, including riverbanks, agricultural fields and grasslands, where they feed mainly on insects”. The deaths have raised concerns about potential threats to migratory bird populations in the region. The findings may help authorities determine whether further investigations or precautionary measures are needed. “Investigating such incidents is important to determine whether the deaths are isolated or indicate a wider zoonotic threat. It might have happened that the flock consumed poisonous food somewhere or that they might have got infected with some virus. Only the arrival of test report could reveal the exact cause of death,” Bhate added. Download the TOI App.