Three peacocks, two peahens found paralysed near Surat

SURAT: Paralysis had rendered three peacocks and two peahens immobile in an agriculture farm where they were found in the last 24 hours since Friday. They are being treated at a hospital in the city, with the condition of one peahen reported to be serious. Those handling the birds believe poisoning or heat stroke could be the reason for their paralytic condition.
Four birds were found in a sugarcane farm near Ena village and one at Vansva village near Hazira industrial area. A farmer of Ena Parimal Patel informed a city-based non-governmental organization about the sick peacocks and peahens which were found sitting on ground.
"Labourers in my sugarcane farm had spotted the birds. They noticed that the birds were not moving from their location. We called Prayas for rescue," Patel said.
"When brought to the hospital, there was no movement in the legs and wings of the birds. It seemed like a paralytic condition. They might have eaten something poisonous or it could also be due to heat stroke. We are yet to find out the exact cause," Darshan Desai of Prayas said.
"Looking at the condition of the peacocks, it seems that they ate some reptile which had died of poisoning. It is also possible that the peacocks drank water which was poisonous. We are investigating the incident," deputy conservator of forest, wildlife, Surat, Anil Vasava said.
"The condition of the peahen found on Saturday is critical. Doctors have administered injections to normalize the condition of the birds. They are on intravenous therapy. There are no reports of more birds having been found in such condition as of now. However, farmers are keeping a watch," Desai added.