THARPARKAR: The number of peacocks that have died in the Thar region of Sindh to avian disease is continuing to rise rapidly and is on the verge of touching 200.
The death toll hit 170 after 20 peafowls were confirmed to be dead of the higly infectious disease on Monday. The deaths are part of a recent outbreak of illness in the birds, and at least 30 of the animals have succumbed to the outbreak in the past couple of days.
The continuous deaths over the past month or so have locals and authorities worried that the deaths are the result of the extremely infectious Newcastle disease locally known as ‘Ranikhet.’
The disease has previously plagued the peacocks of the Thar region and is one where the necks of the birds swell up with the infection until they finally keel over and die.
Area locals have been critical of the Sindh Wild life authorities response to the dying animals, saying they have failed to get to the bottom of the matter and take the necessary preventive and corrective measures.
The relevant authorities have, however, cited the many challenges they face in protecting the wild animals of the region. They explained how they only have a single vehicle to monitor and manage the 22,000 kilometer area. They have formed four teams to combat the spreading of the disease despite these challenges.
