Over 150 spot-billed pelicans have succumbed to the infestation since December, with 21 birds dying in the past 72 hours alone, said the forest officials.
New Delhi: A nematode infestation has resulted in the mortality of over 150 spot-billed pelicans at Telineelapuram Important Bird Area (IBA) in Naupada swamp of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh.
The forest officials said that the deaths of spot-billed pelicans started in December and at least 21 birds succumbed to the infestation in the past 72 hours alone.
According to a report in The Hindu, nearly 200 adult spot-billed pelicans are surviving in the habitat, as of Wednesday. The report also stated that if the mortality rate continues unchecked, the species is likely to disappear completely from the swamp in a matter of days. The officials said that till now, only adult birds have succumbed to the infestation.
“Preliminary inquiry suggests that nematode infestation is the cause for the death of the spot-billed pelicans that prey on nearby water bodies. The nematode parasite is suspected to be transferred through fish and snails in particular, when the birds prey in the aqua ponds. At Telineelapuram IBA, the death rate is a case of mass mortality,” The Hindu quoted Wildlife Institute of India (WII-Dehradun) expert, Dr. R. Suresh Kumar as saying.
