Another pelican takes ill at Kukkarahalli Lake; shifted to Bengaluru

MYSURU: Close on the heels of the death of two spot-billed pelicans being reported at Kokkarebellur and Kukkarahalli lakes in Mandya and Mysuru respectively, yet another pelican has now been reported sick at the latter triggering panic among officials.
Since these events have transpired in a span of ten days, the officials concerned have approached the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, in a bid to ascertain the exact reason behind the death of the pelicans.Although authorities in the state have ruled out an outbreak of the avian influenza, they have been unable to establish the cause behind the death of pelicans.
Forest department officials cited intestinal infection as the reason for the death of a pelican at Kokkarebellur. However, reasons behind the death of the pelican at Kukkarahalli remain uncertain. “Samples of the carcass of both pelicans have been sent to Bhopal, and results are awaited,” said a forest official.
However, in the wake of another pelican at Kukkarahalli Lake taking ill, officials appear to be in no mood to take any more chances. The pelican has been shifted to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Bengaluru. “The bird is critical,” said sources.
V Yedukondalu, deputy conservator of forests (wildlife), said that they had found no symptoms of avian influenza in the birds, which died ten days ago. “One died of gastroenteritis, while we are yet to determine the reason for the death of the pelican at Kukkarahalli Lake. We have sent samples to Bhopal, and expect a result in two to three days,” he said.
Yedukonalu confirmed that the pelican that was found sick on Wednesday had been shifted to Bengaluru. “As of now, we don’t have plans to sanitise Kukkarahalli Lake, where pelicans are nesting. They are sensitive birds. We are keeping a close watch on the pelicans as a precaution,” he added.
Kukkarahalli (Mysuru) and Birds Sanctuary and Kokkare Bellur (Mandya) are three pelican havens in the region where they breed during the season.