Migratory birds at Bhitarkanika National Park

Paradip, Jan. 1: Authorities of the Bhitarkanika National Park have sounded bird flu alert as the migratory winged guests have flocked the forest’s wetland spots.

Officials have also initiated precautionary measures to find out possible flu infection of the avian species.

Forest officials and veterinary experts have been asked to keep a watch on the birds, said chief district veterinary officer Rabindra Kumar Sahoo.

To create awareness, leaflets and booklets are being distributed among the villagers living near the national park, said the officer.

“A joint field survey by wildlife personnel and state veterinary wing officials are under way in the birds-infested pockets of the national park. The team of experts is yet to sight sickness symptoms in the birds,” said officer of the Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) division Kedar Kumar Swain.

According to the observation done so far, the winter guests, besides local migratory water birds ensconced in Bhitarkanika, are safe and free from infection, said the divisional forest officer.

There has been an influx of birds from cooler spheres of the trans-Himalayan region. But, they are quite safe. There is no cause for worry on possible flu outbreak, added the sources.

With the heronries in Bhitarkanika frequented by winter migratory birds, alert had been sounded. Experts have kept close watch on the itinerant species.

The vigil is greater on the winter migrant species, which are found making yearly visits to this wetland from central Asian countries.

None of the winter species were so far found drooping and wore signs of sickness syndrome. No death of bird has been reported as yet, said an official.

Instructions were on to segregate the birds found drooping from other birds and conduct the blood sample test check.

Rapid response teams have been formed in all nine blocks of the district. Veterinary assistant surgeon, two livestock inspectors, one gomitra, zilla parishad members and social workers are the members of each team.

“We have vaccinated 15,000 poultries, including chicks, in the district within a month,” said the chief district veterinary officer.

“Blood and stool samples of some avian species are being collected. We will also send the samples to the Animal Disease Research Institute, Bhubaneswar,” said Sahoo.