Bird Flu Scare In Bhitarkanika National Park

Kendrapara: With the outbreak of the bird flu assuming alarming proportions in the Krushnaprasad block in Puri district, the Animal Resources Development (ARD) department has stepped up precautionary measures in the Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district as thousands of migratory birds have flocked the park this winter.

As informed by the ARD officials, a team of veterinary officials of Rajnagar block led by veterinary officer Patitapaban Bal, assistant veterinary officer Debi Prasad Kundu has collected excreta samples of 314 birds from Mathadia, Bagagahana, Dangamal, Khamar Sahi, Nalitapatia, Pentha and Sundaripala areas of the park. The team has also collected 180 serum samples of the migratory bird species like the Ruddy Shelduck, Bar Headed Goose, Northern Pintail, Urasian Wegion.

The officials have sent the samples to the Animal Disease Research Institute (ADRI) at Phulanakhara in Cuttack from where they will be taken to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal for confirmation.

Nearly one lakh migratory birds have arrived at the wetland habitat of Bagagahana, Mathadia, Satabhaya, Gahiramatha and Raipatia areas of Bhitarkanika this winter, of which more than 50,000 birds have been sighted at Satabhaya.