43 Peacocks Die from Alleged Poisoning in Madurai

Residents found rice grains strewn all over the ground, which was mysterious.

The residents of a neighbourhood in Marudhankulam, Madurai were in for a shock when they found carcasses of peacocks strewn all over the ground.

On Saturday, 4 August morning , a woman found 34 peacocks and 9 peahens dead. The forest officials were immediately alerted.

Officials suspect the rice grains were mixed with poisonous substances. They said they are waiting for the autopsy report to come in to understand the exact type of poisonous substances.

Residents say there are no agricultural fields in the surroundings, where the birds were found dead. But they found rice grains strewn all over the ground, which was mysterious. The officials have also collected samples of the grains.

Once the test and autopsy results are out, the search for the accused will begin, officials said.

Since peacocks come under schedule one of the wildlife protection act, the accused proven guilt would have to face three to seven years of imprisonment.

S Arumugam, Madurai wildlife range officer to TOI

For a long time now, over 80 peacocks have been frequently visiting the neighbourhood and the residents would feed them everyday.

One of the residents, P O Raja, said, “Around 70 peacocks used to come every morning. They would not leave until we give them food. Some seven years ago only a few came. Over the course of years 70 to 80 peacocks started visiting,” reported The Times of India.

(With inputs from The Times of India)