Visakhapatnam: Birds, animals too fall prey, trees wither

VISAKHAPATNAM: The styrene gas leak from LG Polymers unit has also led to the death of large numbers of animals and birds in its vicinity. As per a visible count, 22 cattle, 6 dogs and a pet cat were found dead in the area. Trees and leaves in the affected area also had a withered look.
Sources in the animal husbandry department said that most of the animals killed were domestic animals.The damage done to birds and smaller species was yet to be ascertained, officials said. Sources informed that the area close to the Megharigedda reservoir is also being scouted to assess the damage done. So far, five wild birds have been rescued.
B Rama Krishna, joint director of animal husbandry department in Visakhapatnam said, “We are still on the field and in the process of identifying damage done to livestock. A majority of the animals that have died are either milch animals (cows, buffaloes) or pets.” He said that the department is being assisted by animal rights’ groups.
Officials said that most of the damage done to trees was in the downwind direction of the industrial unit.