One hundred Painted Stork chicks were killed and numerous chicks sustained injuries after gusty winds and thunderstorm hit the famous Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary at Koonthankulam village in Southern district of Tirunelveli, Forest officials on Tuesday said.
Forest department officials said hundreds of bird nests atop the black babul trees grown inside the sprawling Koonthankulam tank as well the neem and acacia trees in the village were destroyed in the gale on Monday evening.
Tirunelveli forest range officer P Karuppaiah along with forest biologist and veterinary team rushed to the sanctuary and were treating the injured chicks. The forest officials were also feeding the rescued chicks.
District Forest Officer K Thirumal said as of now 55 painted stork chicks were perished in the thunderstorm.
However, we are still trying to assess the number of fatalities and providing treatment to the injured birds, he said.
Thirumal said the forest officials were also engaged in proper disposal of bird carcasses after post-mortem to prevent the outbreak of infections.
Locals said it is a harrowing sight to watch, carcasses of the birds scattered around the sanctuary.
They claimed that over one hundred painted stork checks might have been killed in the thunderstorm.
The residents were assisting the forest officials by collecting the injured chicks.
The villagers have an emotional bonding with the birds and take pride for hosting the winged visitors.
The sanctuary attracts over 45 bird species, including painted stork, flamingo, bar-headed goose, pelican, spoonbill, ibis, snake bird, heron, duck, pintail, egret etc every year.
Over 100 painted stork chicks killed, nests destroyed in gale
