Rajasthan: At least 8,000 migratory birds' carcasses found around Sambhar Lake

According to the District Collector of Jaipur, Jagroop Singh Yadav, at least 8,000 migratory birds' carcasses have been collected so far in and around the Sambhar Lake area in Rajasthan.

While talking about the annual visit of the migratory birds, Yadav said, "Migratory birds do visit Sambhar region. Due to prior rains this year, the migratory birds came a bit early. This is a universal phenomenon that a few birds die due to changed climatic conditions when they migrate," added Yadav.

Neuromuscular illness probable cause

Yadav, while pointing out the possible reasons for their deaths, said that these deaths are probably caused due to Avian Botulism, a serious neuromuscular illness of birds caused by a toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium. He also added, "When the maggots attack the birds' body and other birds eat them, their wings and legs get paralysed which is also known as botulism.”

READ | Preliminary report says thousands of birds died due to botulism near Jaipur

The District Collector further said that as soon as he was informed about the migratory birds dying in Sambhar, he sent one team to collect their samples and further send them to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. "We have collected at least 8,000 carcasses of birds have been collected from country's largest inland saltwater lake - Sambhar Lake situated in Jaipur. The rescue operation of finding and collecting the carcasses commenced on November 10," he added.

READ | Pet care: Basic health and care tips for keeping your birds healthy

Further talking about the rescue operations, Yadav stated that as many as 90 Civil Defence personnel and other rescue force personnel carried out the rescue operation in and around the lake. Around 1,000 birds were found dead around Sambhar Lake situated in Jaipur on Tuesday, November 12. The carcasses include not only the indigenous but also migratory birds that flock to the lake each year.

READ | Thousands of migratory birds found dead around Sambhar Salt Lake

Soon after the incident came to light, terming the birds' death as 'worrying,' the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the government was taking "immediate steps to prevent deaths during this migratory season.

READ | Thousands of migratory birds die mysteriously in Rajasthan lake