Thar’s dying peacocks: Wildlife dept can’t contain Ranikhet disease

Sindh Agricultural University doctors examine peacocks and prepare a report.

HYDERABAD: A report prepared by the veterinarians of Sindh Agricultural University points out that the Sindh Wildlife Department lacks the ability and means to contain the viral disease which is killing Thar’s peacocks.

The doctors visited the villages where the highest numbers of deaths were reported from. Till now more than 110 peacocks have died due to the spread of Newcastle Disease (Ranikhet) in Thar and six other districts of Sindh according to the unofficial figures.

Five more peacocks died in the area on Wednesday.

“The Sindh Wildlife Department does not have the means to control the disease immediately,” says the report which was submitted to the university’s vice chancellor. It has been prepared by Dr Allah Bux Kachewal, Dr Abudl Latif Bhutto and others, says the university press release.

“Most of the dying peacocks can be saved if they are given the medicines on time,” say the doctors.

They emphasise that while the cause of deaths of the peacocks has been ascertained, there is a need is to take immediate steps to contain the disease.

The doctors recommend that the government form teams of vets which to carry-out a wide ranging vaccination drive. It also advises that Thar’s residents and the wildlife staff should be told how to bury the dead peacocks without delay.

Dr Kachewal has found the symptoms of cough, contraction of veins, diarrhea, swollen eyes, loss of feathers, drooping neck, depression and nausea. The illness affects the metabolism and neurological systems, he says.

“In Thar the sick peacocks also become victims of predators. Sometimes they fall and get trapped until death in the wild bushes,” he adds.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2012.