ALAPPUZHA: The bird monitoring cell has tightened the vigil on the migratory birds in Kerala in the wake of reports that those which were believed to have flown from Kerala were found dead due to avian influenza at Mysuru zoo. The cell found carcasses of two pelicans from Alappuzha last week, but no virus of avian influenza (H5 N8) were detected in the laboratory examination. The cell has been functioning with the support of 40 independent bird watchers’ group across the state.
Two spot-billed pelicans and four greylag goose, which used to visit Alappuzha, had died in a pond inside the Mysuru zoo on December 28. The same viruses had been confirmed in Alappuzha in October. The bird flu spread to different parts of Gujarat as well. Mr M.P. Sanjayan, assistant wildlife warden, Thattekkad bird sanctuary, who is also a member of the monitoring cell, said that a worm not related to bird flu was traced in the tissues of one of the carcasses last week. In the second case, carriers of tuberculosis were found. However, the vigil has been tightened to all subsidiary organisations associated with the cell, he said.
Soon after the bird flu outbreak on October 25, the droppings of rosy pastor, a tiny migrant bird, collected from various parts of the state were examined in the laboratories in Eranakulam and Thiruvalla. No avian influenza virus was also found in the droppings of big birds like pelicans. “The cell will coordinate the works of various departments, including social forestry and AHD, through online and social networking groups,” he said.
Flocks of birds from Kerala migrate to Mysuru zoo, Karanji lake, Ranganathittu bird sanctuary and other places seasonally for breeding. The migration is based on the crop pattern as well. “When the harvesting of paddy crops is over in Kerala, the migratory birds go in search of standing paddy crops in Mysuru region,” said Mr Harikumar Mannar, a bird watcher.
