As many as 16 peacocks died here apparently after consuming some poisonous substances, a forest official said today.
The carcass of 16 peacocks, the country's national bird, were found yesterday in Mahtoli area after villagers tipped off forest officials about large number of birds lying unconscious, he said.
A team immediately rushed to the spot and found 16 peacocks dead and six others sick after having consumed some suspected poisonous feed, Morena Forest Division's Deputy Ranger, L S Sharma said.
The sick birds were being treated by veterinarians.
Morena's Mayur Van area has a dense population of peacocks, he said.
"Possibly they have consumed some poisonous material along with other food grains which resulted in their death as in the post-mortem seeds of wheat and bajra were found in abundance. The birds also drank water from a nearby pond and its samples too were collected for tests" Sharma said.
The viscera have been sent to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) at Sagar, he added.
Government veterinarian Dr RP Sharma said the peacocks must have died after consuming some poisonous material along with food grains and also because of drinking pond water.
