Mysuru/ Mandya : In the wake of two more pelicans in the care of Forest Department dying yesterday at Kokkarebellur, the death toll of the birds including in Kukkarahalli Lake, has gone up to eight in two weeks.

However, the Forest Department has ruled out the outbreak of Avian flu. “If it is Avian flu, the birds will die en masse. We have sent both the dead birds to Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAH&VB), Bengaluru. We are awaiting the results. They in turn have sent the blood samples to the laboratory in Bhopal,” said Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF) Yedukondalu speaking to Star of Mysore, here this morning.

According to Yedukondalu, the situation is not alarming. “If the birds had died due to avain flu, all parts of the body including legs and beaks would have turned pink, whereas, in this case it has turned black. We are suspecting that this is due to internal haemorrhage and gastroenteritis as the water in both the lakes are polluted,” he said.

There are 60 to 65 pairs of Pelicans in Kukkarahalli Lake and nearly 150 pairs in Kokkarebellur. “Fortunately, nothing untoward has happened in Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary which also has Pelicans. It is probably because of good quality water as it is a riverine and there is flowing water,” said Yedukondalu.

He said that he was in touch with the lab in Bengaluru. All preventive and curative measures if required will be taken after holding a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep and Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Dr. Prasad Murthy.

He reiterated that the deaths of five birds in Kukkarahalli Lake so far are general, normal death rates and due to stomach related problems. “We are awaiting the post-mortem report from Bengaluru by today or tomorrow and since there is nothing alarming there is no need to panic,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Prasad Murthy told Star of Mysore that five deaths of Pelicans had occurred in Kukkarahalli Lake till now and there are three ailing birds which have been sent to Bengaluru lab. “The blood samples of the birds after sacrificing them have been sent to Bhopal,” he said.

According to Dr. Murthy, the live birds will not show symptoms except the sign of weakness. “We are awaiting the results of the test,” he said.