At least 19 peacocks die of poisoning in UP's Hathras area

Hathras (Uttar Pradesh), Feb.5 (ANI): At least 19 peacocks have been found dead in an open area near a village in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh.

The dead birds were found lying scattered near agricultural fields where wheat and other grains had been raised.

After preliminary investigations, forest officials said birds had been poisoned.

"The peacocks have died due to insecticide. The farmers that are cutting their harvest and then sowing new crop, and they are using insecticides. Similar incident happened one and a half year ago at ...So the peacocks go to the fields for grazing to eat grains like wheat, but they may eat insecticides," said Gulveer Singh, a forest official.

Singh said a case would be registered under the Wildlife Protection Act (under Section 9 and 51) in connection with the incident since peacock is a national bird and protected under the Act.

"If someone has deliberately killed them for personal gains then an FIR (First Information Report) will be registered against that person. But if all the people are using these insecticides then after proper investigation we will definitely register an FIR," added Singh.

He added that an assessment would be done by the forest officials to find out if the use of a specific insecticide is leading to peacock deaths.

Meanwhile, parts of the carcasses would be sent for medical examination to determine the exact cause of the death. (ANI)