Death toll of birds at Pong wetland reaches 4,637

r Correspondent

Nurpur, January 12

A fall in the dead birds’ count due to avian influenza was reported in the Pong Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary area here on the second day today. As many as 280 dead birds of various species were reported on Tuesday giving respite to the authorities of the Wildlife and Animal Husbandry Departments. The total dead birds’ count touched 4,637 on the 16th day of the outbreak of the bird flu.

According to Archna Sharma, Chief Wildlife Warden, 10 rapid response teams of the wildlife wing were working in the sanctuary area for the surveillance of avian influenza and safe disposal of dead birds in a scientific way. She told The Tribune that the mortality of migratory birds had come down to a minimum of two in the Dhameta wildlife range, which indicated a good sign of the containment of bird flu outbreak in the Pong wetland area. She said most of the dead birds that were stuck in inaccessible swampy areas had been retrieved.

Meanwhile, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) attended a meeting through video-conferencing with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on the issue of avian influenza outbreak in the wildlife sanctuary.