Carcasses of five peacocks, a protected species under the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1971, were found under mysterious circumstances on a plot at Kulanthagoundanur on the outskirts of Karur on Monday.
On information from the locals, Forest Department officials rushed to the spot and sent them to the nearby veterinary clinic at the Joint Director of Animal Husbandry office for post-mortem. A team led by veterinarian S. Manimaran examined the male birds, which were said to be about six months old, to ascertain the cause of death.
Divisional Forest Officer A. Anbu told The Hindu that the exact details on the cause of death would be known only after the receipt of post-mortem report.
Preliminary information indicated that they might have died due to intestine infection. However, since the birds were found dead in the same location, field officials were asked to investigate in various angles. A few locals were being questioned to ascertain whether the birds were poisoned to death.
