JAIPUR: Around 300 Demoiselle Cranes (Grus virgo) have been reported dead since November 6 in the latest incident of avian flu in Jodhpur and Udaipur, according to the report by the Wildlife Trust of India.
With the death numbers still on the rise, the whole state is on a high alert. So far, the virus has affected just the Demoiselle Cranes, locally called the “Kuranja”.
The first report came from Kaparda wetlands on November 6 with 56 cranes found dead and several others showing signs of sickness. The field workers are on standby with preparations in place to prevent an outbreak similar to the one that occurred in Sambhar two years ago when thousands of migratory birds died.
According to the report, the virus has affected only Demoiselle Cranes, locally called the “Kuranja”.
The first report came from Kaparda wetlands on November 6, with 56 cranes found dead and several others showing signs of sickness. Having responded to such cases in the past, team members of Raksha and WTI were prepared for yet another wildlife emergency. After prompt coordination with the Rajasthan Forest Department, a team of veterinarians, rescuers, animal handlers and coordinators were mobilized on the ground. About 130 sick birds were admitted to the emergency shelter established about 5 km away from the disaster site.
“The animal husbandry and the forest department are now on ground to further curtail the situation but at present we are seeing reduction in the number of birds who have been infected as compared to earlier this week”, said an official of WTI.
The symptoms were head drooping, opisthotonos, gasping, increased rectal temperature followed by hypothermia, unilateral or bilateral wing dropping, haemorrhage in the eye (with some showing a whitish blue film over the cornea), anorexia, dehydration, diarrhoea and immobility.
