Death of 12 ducks at the Sukhna Lake has become a cause of worry for the UT Forest and Wildlife department. Officers suspect that the birds died due to improper and unhygienic feeding by visitors. The post-mortem report of the birds is awaited. “We are not sure about the reason behind the death yet. The corpses have been sent to a Veterinary Institute in Jalandhar. We are waiting for the chemical analysis report to know what exactly caused the death. We will get the reports on Monday,” said Chief Wildlife Warden of UT police, Santosh Kumar. He added, “Seven birds died on Thursday and five earlier this week. We have sent all twelve to Jalandhar. Till now we do not have any case reported for the migratory birds. It does not seem like a flu. Apparently, someone fed some thing fermented to the birds and that is why these birds died.” Kumar said that since Thursday, no case has been reported to the wildlife department. The UT forest department have put up signages which read, “Do not feed the birds, Feed the poor.” On Friday two forest guards were also seen shooing the ducks away from the stairs of the lake and also the visitors were being asked not to feed them.” Even the UT Police SSP has been requested to seek help of the officials of the Sukhna Police Post for stopping the visitors to feed the birds. Kumar added, “Those who sell the feeds were also made to leave the lake as we cannot rule out that the ducks died due to overeating. We send their serum for testing every 15 days to Jalandhar for checking the outbreak of any flu.” The Deputy Conservator of Forests, Birendra Choudhary said, “Earlier also birds died and it is during this season. It cannot be ruled out that change is season can also be a reason for their death. A source also said that someone was found feeding fermented cheese to the birds which is usually thrown out by the officials of the CITCO restaurant at the lake.
