A shocking discovery of 107 dead birds has triggered alarm and a full-scale investigation in Thane district. The carcasses of Grey Francolin, locally known as 'titar', were found near a creek in the Saptapul area of Motagaon, Dombivli (West).
Discovery and Immediate Response
The incident first came to the notice of bird expert Dr Raju Kasambe, who received information about numerous birds lying dead. After personally visiting the spot to verify the grim scene, he promptly alerted the forest department. The sheer scale of the discovery—107 birds—immediately raised concerns among local residents and authorities about a potential health hazard.
Acting swiftly, a team from the Kalyan forest department arrived at the location. They prepared an official panchnama (spot inspection report) and carefully collected all the carcasses. Given the possibility of a viral infection like bird flu, the team took stringent safety precautions, using gloves and protective gear while handling the birds before sealing them for further analysis.
Investigation and Suspicious Circumstances
The dead birds were initially taken to the Thane Veterinary Centre for examination. However, preliminary checks by veterinary doctors failed to pinpoint the exact cause of death. This uncertainty, coupled with the risk of a contagious disease, led the forest department to send samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for advanced laboratory testing.
Bird expert Dr Raju Kasambe highlighted a peculiar aspect of the case. He noted that Grey Francolins are not commonly sighted in the Dombivli region. This anomaly raises significant questions about why such a large number appeared there suddenly. Kasambe suggested that the pattern and location of the bodies indicate the birds might have died elsewhere and were later dumped in this isolated creek area. He has urged the forest department to conduct a thorough probe to uncover the truth.
Official Statements and Ongoing Vigilance
Kalyan range forest officer Nilesh Akhade confirmed the developments. Samples have been forwarded to NIV Pune, and the department is awaiting the detailed scientific reports. Akhade stated that initial observations do hint at the possibility of the birds being transported to the site after death. However, he emphasized that no final conclusion can be drawn until the laboratory results are received. These tests will determine if the cause was a flu strain, poisoning, or another infection.
In response to the incident, the forest department has heightened surveillance in the surrounding region. They have also made a public appeal, urging citizens to report any unusual deaths of birds immediately to prevent any potential spread of disease and to aid in monitoring the situation.
