Migratory birds' report awaited

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 23. — Malda forest officials are waiting for test reports of 29 migratory birds for bird flu, from Bhopal High Risk Disease Diagnostic Laboratory . Their blood samples were sent a few weeks ago.After reports of bird flu in Maharashtra, they surveyed Nayabandh wetland area twice which thousands of migratory birds visit every year. Though, there was no reports of death for bird flu, the district animal resources development department sent the blood samples for tests. Deputy director of district animal resources development department, Mr Sushanta Das, said: “The laboratory reports of the birds will reach us soon. We, however, have been informed that all the blood samples had tested negative.” Earlier, officials of state animal resources development department had said that blood samples of 1,185 birds had been sent to Bhopal and all of them had tested negative. Samples of two dead birds that were found at the Kulik bird sanctuary had also been sent. From 19 February to 21 February, the department sent about 109 more blood samples to Bhopal and still waiting for the results. They said 30 more blood samples were collected from Arambag Hatcheries in Hooghly and sent for tests. Officials have been sent to various green belts such as Nayabandh, Adina forest, Sagardighi and Muchial wetlands that the migratory birds frequently visit during the season. The officials talked of poaching at Muchia wetlands and the difficulty to nab them because of poor accessibility. #