Phailin killed over 1,000 Siberian birds in Srikakulam

While the government managed to save human lives from cyclone Phailin’s fury by evacuating thousands of people, several migratory Siberian birds died in Srikakulam district during the cyclone last week-end.

As many as 1,000 birds were killed and around 4,000 lost their nests, as several trees fell, unable to withstand the 200 kilometers per hour wind. Eggs were destroyed and chickens died as they from the the trees. Many birds also died of starvation.

The birds arrive in June every year to Telineelapuram of Srikakulam district from Siberia, almost 6,000 km away from India. Telineelapuram is the best nesting area for them and they return with their young ones in December. Though they come from Siberia, they are called Asian Open Bill Storks.

Srikakulam District Forest Officer B. Vijaykumar told The Hindu that they were trying their best to save chicks and the adult birds which survived the calamity. “We have been providing snails which are the staple food (for the storks)," he said. The Visakha Society for Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals and Birds is also supporting efforts save these birds. 

The Hindu National » Andhra Pradesh

SRIKAKULAM, October 15, 2013

Updated: October 15, 2013 15:17 IST