Birds falling prey to rising temperature, hospital sees two-fold rise in admissions

In Parel, Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals has seen a two-fold increase in admissions due to dehydration in the first seven days of April, compared to the previous month, according to officials.

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Pigeons are among the birds affected. Express

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With India’s financial capital experiencing an increase in temperature, birds and animals also seem to be suffering.

In Parel, Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals has seen a two-fold increase in admissions due to dehydration in the first seven days of April, compared to the previous month, according to officials. Last month, on average, the government-run hospital recorded two daily admissions during this period. But the figure surged to four this month. Between April 1-7, the hospital admitted over 30 animals and birds. Among them were mostly pigeons with eagles, and crows.

Hospital Manager Dr Mayur Dangar said birds – while flying high in the heat – suffer stroke or dizziness and fall down to death. “In most cases, they suffer from heatstroke, dehydration, and fever. But with early treatment, they recover within three-four days,” he said. With an increase in temperature, he expressed concern, the number of birds falling prey to heat might increase. For instance, in March 2022, 100 birds were affected which increased to 150 during the same period this year.

Dr Dangar said the hospital keeps the “feathered friends in a cool cage and hydrates them frequently”. Once recovered, the wild birds are sent to the national park in Borivali while others are released in the hospital passage to fly off. “Despite our efforts, we have already recorded around 30 deaths,” he said.

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