Green Minute News:
In a shocking incident, 20 peacocks/peahens have been found dead in Karnataka. The carcasses of three peacocks and 17 peahens were discovered at Midgeshi hobli, Hanumanthapura, Madhugiri taluk, Tumakuru district on Sunday. Local activists say the 20 peacocks and peahens may have died due to poisoning.
The rising incidents of poisoning of wildlife in Karnataka has raised the question of protection and conservation of species like tigers, leopards, monkeys and now peacocks. Recently, last month, five tigers were poisoned in MM Hills Sanctuary while two leopards, 19 monkeys died due to poisoning in Karnataka.
In view of the rising human-wildlife conflicts in Karnataka, state forest, environment and ecology minister Eshwar Khandre has ordered an inquiry into the death of 20 peacocks and peahens in Tumakuru district. The probe will be conducted by Tumakuru DCF and the report will be submitted within five days, the Forest Minister added.
The carcasses of these three peacocks and 16 peahens were discovered in a maize field at different locations on August 3rd. While one more peahen was found dead near Kere Kodi waterfall on August 2nd. The sight of the 20 poisoned national bird was gruesome as it was found strewn all over an agricultural field that had been readied for sowing.
With local people informing the Karnataka Forest Department, forest officials rushed to the spot and handed over the bodies of the dead birds to the veterinary doctors of the Animal Husbandry department. Initial physical examination of the 20 birds points to death due to poisoning, however, this will only be confirmed only after the FSL report comes.
According to Suresh, Zonal Forest Officer, local residents suspected that the peacocks had died on the night of August 1st. “The dead peacocks have been sent to the forensic science laboratory. The cause of death will be known after the report is out,” said forest department officials.
Dr V. N. Manjunath, Veterinary Officer told Green Minute that when the post-mortem examination of 20 peacocks was conducted, it was found that they had eaten corn seeds. “The dead peacocks have been handed over to the forest department. More information will be available on the cause of death only after the FSL report comes out.”
Naturalist Siraj Ahmed K A from Madhugiri taluk said, “Such an incident has not happened in the history of our taluk. 20 peacocks were killed.”
“Corn seeds were found in the throats of the peacocks. The area around the peacock’s death should be examined and the seeds should be sent to the forensic science laboratory for examination. The officials of the concerned department should file a suo motu complaint and file a criminal case against those who have committed such a heinous act, so that such incidents will not happen again,” Siraj Ahmed added.
Expressing shock and serious concern, Karnataka activists and conservationists said although peacocks do destroy crops while feeding on seeds, this is the first time such a heinous incident has happened in Karnataka.
With incidents of Human-wildlife conflict rising in the state and lot of incidents of wildlife poisoning reported in the state, it is time for strict action by both the forest and police department and punish the offenders, they added.
Killing a peacock, India’s national bird since 1963, is a serious offense punishable by imprisonment and fines under Section 51 (1-A) of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Specifically, it falls under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, which provides the highest level of protection. In fact, violations can lead to imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of at least Rs 10,000.