In the last four days, two flamingoes with injuries suspected to be caused by pellets from an air gun have been rescued
Despite Thane creek’s status of a protected sanctuary, migratory birds wintering in Mumbai continue to be at the receiving end of gunners. In the last four days, two flamingoes with injuries suspected to be caused by pellets from an air gun have been rescued.
“A female flamingo was brought to me on Friday night with a broken wing bone. The nature of the wound and X-rays strongly suggest that the bird was hit by a metal pellet used in air guns. It’s wing has been fragmented, and there is an entry and exit wound, typical of a pellet injury. We’ve wrapped the wing to facilitate healing. The flamingo is consuming foods and responding to the treatment,” avian veterinarian Dr Rina Dev said.
A second flamingo was brought to her on Saturday with a hole in its left wing. Both birds are in critical condition, and under-observation, she said.
According to Pawan Sharma, Founder, Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), they rescued a flamingo from the jetty near Vikhroli mangroves after locals called their helpline. The other was rescued by animal rescuer Nilesh Sutar on Wednesday from the creek at Vitava near Kalwa, after the fire brigade tipped him off. “Initially we thought that it was a manja injury. However, this would not be the first time we rescued birds hit by stone or air gun pellet from this area,” said Sutar.
The animal welfare community is concerned that despite Thane Creek’s sanctuary status, rampant hunting of flamingoes and other birds continue. Birders insist that they’ve asked forest department to increase vigil, at specific locations but nothing has been done so far.
“We plan to write to the Thane forest department and the mangrove cell to increase patrolling and book those involved in hunting and poaching,” said Sharma.
Flamingos arrive between late October-early November and can be spotted at Sewri, Thane, and Navi Mumbai.
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