Daily Times

Thirty peacocks have died within a few days in the Thar region of Sindh due to outbreak of Newcastle (Ranikhet) disease, according to locals.

Reportedly, dozens of them are sick. Sudden deaths of the birds have sparked fear among the locals who claim that this might be an outbreak of the highly contagious disease known as ‘Ranikhet’.

They claimed that the Sindh Wildlife Department had failed to inspect the deaths of precious birds despite their repeated calls.

However, the wildlife department has responded that they have sent investigation teams to the affected villages to probe into the matter.

The peacocks have been dying for the last five years. The rise is usually observed in the summer time.

In January 2018, about 50 peacocks died in three villages of Thar.

In 2012, the dreadful viral disease claimed the lives of more than 167 peacocks within just 24 days.

In 2015 about 200 peacocks died.

Moreover, the locals have claimed that the virus had originated from hens and then it transferred to avian and peacocks. They believe that the disease cannot be controlled unless it is eradicated from its origin.

Published in Daily Times, April 8^th 2018.