Carcass fuels bird flu fear

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Link:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051114/asp/northeast/story_5472410.asp

 

Carcass fuels bird flu fear

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Imphal, Nov. 13: Another carcass of a migratory bird was found

floating in Manipur's Loktak Lake yesterday, prompting the wildlife

wing of the forest department to again warn residents against

killing and eating potential carriers of the avian flu virus.

 

A team of forest officials found the carcass near a fish farm on the

periphery of Keibul Lamjao National Park, home to the endangered

sangai (antlered deer). The team was visiting the area to raise

awareness among residents about bird flu.

 

The carcass of a red-footed falcon, a migratory species, was found

in Tamenglong district a week ago. A sample of the remains was later

sent to a Bhopal-based laboratory for tests to ascertain whether the

bird was carrying the virus that causes avian flu.

 

The bird carcass found in Loktak Lake is that of a cormorant, a

species that migrates from China to the Northeast at the onset of

winter. Ornithologist R.K. Ranjan Singh said the possibility of the

cormorant having died of the disease was maximum, considering many

of the same species had been found to be infected.

 

Chief wildlife warden A. Kharsiing, who was leading the team that

found the cormorant, said there was no reason to panic yet, but

asked villagers to be vigilant.

 

" We recovered the decomposed carcass of the cormorant, locally known

as ura, near a fish farm on the fringes of the wild life sanctuary.

The bird may have died four or five days ago. We will send it to

Bhopal for laboratory tests to confirm the cause of death, "

Kharsiing said.

 

Villagers informed the team that a few days ago, some fishermen had

found the remains of two cormorants in the same area. Kharsiing

asked them to inform wildlife officials immediately if they found

more bird carcasses.