27 migratory birds found dead at wildlife sanctuary

As many as 27 migratory birds have been reported dead on account of avian influenza in Himachal Pradesh’s Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary area since March 25, setting off alarm bells and forcing authoriti

As many as 27 migratory birds have been reported dead on account of avian influenza in Himachal Pradesh’s Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary area since March 25, setting off alarm bells and forcing authorities to shut down the sanctuary. Archana Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife), told The Hindu on Sunday that 14 migratory birds, mostly bar-headed geese, were found dead in the sanctuary on March 25. “Another 12 birds were found dead over the next two-days. We have sent the samples to Regional Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory in Jalandhar. Any confirmation about presence of avian flu could be ascertained only after the reports have come,” she said.