19 peafowls found dead in Tumakuru; probe ordered

Bengaluru: Less than two months after five tigers were killed by poisoning, the forest department on Monday was hit with the shocker of 19 peafowls found dead in a farm land in Tumakuru.

Forest department was alerted to the death of the 19 birds -- five peacocks and 14 peahens -- in the field of a farmer at Midigeshi of Madhugiri taluk, Tumakuru district.

The carcasses of such a large number of birds being found dead in one place has raised several questions.

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre said the death has come as a shock and said a team led by the deputy conservator of forests will investigate the death.

"One and half months ago, five tigers were killed. Later, monkeys were killed and thrown near Bandipur. Now, the national bird has come under attack," he said.

Listed as under schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, peacock enjoys a high level of protection. For farmers, however, the bird has become a pest due to the damage it causes to the crops.

Referring to suspicion that pesticide ingestion was the reason for the death of the birds, the minister said the investigation will find out whether the poisonous pesticide was used deliberately to kill the birds or the peacocks fed on crop that had pesticide residue.

In June, five tigers were poisoned -- allegedly by angry farmers who had lost cattle -- in the Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary. The department's functioning has come under scrutiny in the wake of the tragedy. Two investigations were ordered into the incident.