10 birds poisoned in Amravati forest

NAGPUR: In a shocking incident, 10 birds including seven peahens, one each fantail flycatcher, crow peasant, and pond heron died of poisoning in Pohara-Malkhed forest near Amravati. The deaths were reported at 6.15am on Wednesday by young naturalists Yadav Tarte and Swapnil Sonane, who were on a bird watching trail in the forest.

Peahens are Schedule I birds under the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972, while other three birds are listed under Schedule IV. The avians died after consuming water from a natural source which was mixed with poisonous fungicide. The forest department has sounded a red alert. Some villagers from nearby Chirodi are suspected to be involved.