Eight peacock carcasses found in Bijnor forest

Bijnor (Uttar Pradesh), Mar.26 (ANI): Carcasses of eight peacocks were recovered from a forest in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district.

Harish Mohan Gosain, a forest ranger, told media that the department had retrieved the carcasses of five peacocks and had sent them for a post mortem.

Gosain also said that as long as the report does not come out, no speculations about the nature of death could be ascertained.

"There are about eight dead peacocks out of which about 2 or 3 have been eaten up by animals. The rest are with us. We will wait for the post mortem results and then launch an inquiry into the matter. As of now we can't say anything," Gosain said.

Meanwhile, Raj Kumar, a local resident said that he was shocked and depressed at the incident and said that the Peacock being the national bird ought to be given more protection.

"The forest department should be more alert and look after these forest creatures. We are saddened by this incident. The peacock is our national bird," said Kumar.

Every year hundreds of peacocks are killed in India for different reasons like meat, feathers and some for destroying crops.

Zoologically named Pavo Cristaus, the Peacock is protected under Schedule I of India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. (ANI)