Three peacocks and four peahens were found dead at Melathur village falling under the limits of the Pudukottai forest range on Thursday night after consuming rice mixed with pesticide sprayed on a farmland.
Acting on information, a Forest department team, led by Forest Range Officer, Pudukottai, M. Sadhasivam, went to Melathur and conducted a probe upon noticing the dead birds lying close to a groundnut farmland owned by A. Chinnappa. The team went to the spot as per the direction of the District Forest Officer, Pudukottai, S. Ganesalingam.
It came to light during investigation that the peacocks and peahens had died after consuming rice mixed with pesticide which were sprayed by Chinappa on his land to prevent rats and hens which had destroyed groundnut and watermelon crops raised by him. The peacocks and peahens which came in search of food consumed the pesticide mixed rice and died.
A press release from the Forest Department said Chinappa was arrested on Friday and a case booked against him under The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
Post mortem was conducted. Steps have been taken to send the parts of the dead birds to the Forensic laboratory at Tiruchi to ascertain the poisonous substance and its nature, the release added.
Published – February 07, 2025 07:51 pm IST