Following outbreak of bird flu in villages near the Chilika lake, the authorities of Bhitarkanika National Park here sounded alert as a large number of migratory birds visit the place during winter.
Though the Chilika and Bhitarkanika National Park are around 100 km apart, many of the winged guests often visit both the places. If they found one is not suitable for them for some reason, they leave for the other, officials said.
That is the reason the Bhitarkanika authorities are worried after the Puri district administration declared Chilika and nearby areas as bird flu hit, and started collecting serum samples as a precautionary measure.
So far, serum samples of 180 birds including that of 80 guests, have been collected from the national park and adjoining areas and sent for laboratory tests, Additional District Veterinary Officer (CDVO), Prabhakar Sahu said.
"Forest officials also have been instructed to keep watch on birds inhabiting in the park," Sahu said.
In a bid to create awareness, leaflets and booklets are being distributed among the villagers living in the vicinity of the national park, said the officer.
A joint field survey by wildlife personnel and state veterinary wing officials are currently underway within the birds-infested pockets of the national park. The team, however, is yet to sight sickness symptoms in the birds, said officials.
The team was told to segregate the birds found drooping and conduct the blood sample test check. However, no migratory bird showed such symptom, the officials said.
The marshy and swampy wetland spots in the Bhitarkanika National Park have again emerged as a congenial and human-interference-free winter habitat for feathered guests from cool northern hemisphere, officials said.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
