Peacocks fall prey to heatwave in UP

The reports of recovery of carcass of scores of peacocks in Auraiya, Kannauj, Farrukhabad and Etawah districts besides Mahoba in the Bundelkhand region this summer has sent alarm bells ringing in the forest department.

Though the department has not revealed the actual number of peacocks left dead due to the heat stroke, unofficial sources put the figure at around 150.

"As per the post mortem report of the peacocks found dead in the fields, the cause of death is heat stroke but the department has sent the viscera for further examination so as to determine the real causes behind their death", forest officials said. Principal Conservator of Forests D.N.S Suman has asked all chief conservator of forests, conservator of forests and district forest officers to maintain water bodies which have dried up.

The help of locals is also being sought to protect the national bird. "The role of locals is very important as a couple of years ago several peacocks had died after feeding on pesticides used in the fields as well as due to pesticide coated seeds used by farmers", officials said. The maximum deaths have been reported from Etawah, Farrukhabad and Kannauj districts which are water scarce areas and natural water bodies go dry in the absence of rains.