Mysuru: One more Spot Billed Pelican was found dead at Kukkarahalli Lake here yesterday bringing the number of bird deaths at the Lake to six this month. Seven Pelicans had died at Kokkare Bellur in Mandya district.

Meanwhile, DCF (Wildlife) V. Yedukondalu, speaking to SOM said that the carcass of the Pelican has been sent for post-mortem and added that the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAH&VB) in Bengaluru, who have ruled out the outbreak of Bird Flu in the previous deaths of Pelicans at Kukkarahalli Lake and Kokkare Bellur, had said that the birds had died of gastroenteritis.

The DCF said that the officials of the Department of Animal Husbandry have treated sick Pelicans and added that the water from the Lake has been sent for testing besides stating that necessary steps are taken to prevent the deaths of birds.

He said that bird droppings have been collected at Kukkarahalli Lake, Lingambudhi Lake and at Kokkare Bellur and has been sent for testing to the Bhopal Laboratory and added that it would take 15 days for them to receive the report. It is only then we could ascertain the exact cause of its death, DCF Yedukondalu said and added that he was in constant touch with the officials at the Bhopal Lab.

Meanwhile, Member of Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority Member Dr. K.M. Jayaramaiah, who also spoke to SOM ruled out the outbreak of Bird Flu and said that there would have been many deaths if the birds had died of Bird Flu as it would have spread to other birds like wildfire.

He said that there are many aged Pelicans in the Lake and the birds may have died due to age-related ailments.