Pelican poaching case suspected in Mandya

Team Udayavani, Jun 18, 2018, 12:48 PM IST

Mandya: A suspected case with poaching of spot-billed pelicans, has been accounted for at Kirugavalu, close Malavalli, of the district on Sunday. 

Photos and recordings of a man carrying the carcass of the fully-grown bird in the city in Kirugavalu had been circulating on WhatsApp and other social networking sites on Sunday. In this manner, the police and forest department officials launched  an investigation to trace the accused. 

There are numerous spots in the district thought to be safe for settling and rearing for pelicans. Of them, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary near Srirangapatna and Kokkare Bellur near Maddur are renowned. The birds come in hundreds consistently to roost and breed. They visit numerous spots along the banks of Shimsha and Cauvery river– particularly between Maddur and Malavalli, and Srirangapatna and Maddur. Poaching of pelicans, painted storks and other birds is likewise common near Madarahalli and different spots. As per the villagers at Kirugavalu, this was likewise revealed at regular intervals in Kirugavalu. 

The man was seen showing the carcass on a cell phone. The department has gathered the clip and propelled an investigation to trace the man to determine the reason for death of the bird, a cop said. “The bird may have been killed for food as the carcass looked fresh and healthy,” the officer said.