5 peacocks die in MP's Alirajpur district

INDORE: Five peacocks were found dead in Dheeral village of Alirajpur district on Monday after consuming flowers laced with pesticide in a cotton field.

Forest officials said more than poaching and shrinking habitat, pesticide poses bigger challenge for peacock survival. Three months ago, 10 peacocks were found dead in the district.

Bhawra forest range officer Shriram Rathod said people of the area take care of peacocks but they cannot stop using pesticide as there is no alternative. "Every time farmers use pesticide in their field it takes away the life of few peacocks as they eat insects in the fields," Rathod said.

Rathod said viscera were sent to Indore for further investigation. The report will make clear what type of pesticide was responsible for the deaths.