AGRA: Eight peacocks were found dead near a wheat field in Agra’s Lalau village under Akola block on Thursday. Farmers informed the forest department officials.
Preliminary investigations indicate that pesticides, sprayed by farmers in the field to protect their wheat grains from insects, could be the cause of peacock deaths. Officials said consumption of such pesticide-laden grain by animals continuously for a few days can be fatal for them.
Diwakar Srivastava, divisional forest officer, National Chambal Sanctuary, Agra, told TOI that the carcasses of the peacocks have been sent for post-mortem at Akola block to ascertain their cause of death. The report is yet to be received. He said, their viscera have been sent to IVRI, Bareilly.
Unidentified people have been booked under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act for the peacock deaths.
