Bird flu scare: Over 30 crows, 10 ducks found dead across Delhi, samples collected

At least 24 crows have been found dead at a park in South Delhi's Jasola area, as many as seven crows found dead in Central Park at Mayur Vihar Phase 3 while 10 ducks were found dead at Sanjay Lake.

Image used for representational purpose

New Delhi: Amid rising concerns of bird flu cases, at least 24 crows have been found dead at a park in South Delhi's Jasola area in the past three days. While a total of 10 ducks were found dead at the famous Sanjay Lake and in Central Park at Mayur Vihar Phase 3 as many as seven crows were found dead. 

Earlier on Friday too some dead crows were discovered in the same park in Mayur Vihar after which officials of the Animal husbandry department collected the sampkes and have sent them to the lab in Bhopal.

Meanwhile, on the death of the ducks, the forest department of the Delhi government was informed and samples of the ducks have been taken and sent to the labs to ascertain if they died from the bird flu. 

"We are monitoring the situation very closely as DDA owns a large number of public parks many of which have water bodies," an official told PTI.

While DDA, which owns a large number of parks in the city, said authorities are monitoring the situation.

Taking cognisance of the situation, Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia instructed officials on Friday to maintain a strict vigil on birds at major bird sites, especially poultry markets, water bodies, zoos and other potential hotspots.

Notably, several poultry, crows, migratory bird deaths has been reported in as many as five states. On Thursday, nearly 400 birds were found dead in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat while 150 crows were found dead in Jammu's Udhampur district. Though, their cause of death is yet to be ascertained. 

While other states are stepping up vigil to monitor bird movements and unusual deaths in forest areas.

(With agency inputs)