By IANS
Jaipur : Eleven peacocks have been found dead in a village in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district, more than 350 km from the state capital here.
The peacocks were found dead in the farm of Shafi Mohammad in Seja village of Rajsamand district Monday. The peacock is India’s national bird.
“We have conducted post mortem examinations. Preliminary investigations reveal that these birds have died after eating some poisonous substance. The exact cause of the death would only be known after we get the post mortem examination report,” a police official said.
Incidentally, Rajasthan is no more a safe place for the peacocks, as daily cases of poaching are being reported from different parts of the state.
According to a survey conducted by a non-governmental organisation People for Animals (Rajasthan), on an average 10 peacocks are killed daily in the state.
Despite this high figure, the state government has failed to curb the increasing death toll of peacocks in the state.
Around 36 villages in 14 Rajasthan districts are proving to be the most dangerous place for the peacocks.
“Maximum peacock deaths are taking place in Ajmer, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Shekhawati belt of the state. As per available information, over 250 peacocks have been killed in these places during the last few months,” the survey said.
The organisation feels that most of the time such incidents go unreported. The survey alleges that people are killing these birds for their meat.
The demand for exports of feathers of male peacock also leads to the deaths.
Many times, the use of pesticides in farms leads to peacock deaths.
Peacocks are often killed at night, as they mostly sleep on the same tree.