In a major blow to conservation of the endangered greater adjutant stork, 20 carcasses of the bird were recovered from Deepor Beel, Guwahati on January 23.
The exact reason for the large-scale deaths couldn’t be ascertained yet. Officials sent the carcasses for post-mortem analysis.
“It could be a case of food poisoning. We will be able to give you a concrete answer only after the necessary tests,” an official said.
Kamrup (Metro) deputy commissioner M Angamuthu has ordered an inquiry into the incident. “It is a serious issue and we will have a multidisciplinary inquiry by a magistrate, forest department officials, veterinarians, and the pollution control board to establish the cause,” he said.
Since a long time, wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists were of the view that the rush of picnickers close to the Deepor Beel is one of the primary reasons behind the degradation of the natural habitat in the area.
Here’s a video shared by wildlife photographer and wildlife biologist Udayan Borthakur showing the nuisance on full display at the Deepor Beel this ‘picnic season’.
God bless the poor souls.
