Beira birds died due to high haemorrhage from poisoning, Vets suspect

• Chemicals used to clean cesspits are suspected to be  released into Beira Lake to kill the stench in stagnated water  ultimately leading to bird deaths   

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

The preliminary investigations into the cause of death of  scores of water birds found floating on the Beira waters during the past  three days were due to severe haemorrhagic condition, which could possibly  due to poisoning but not any avian disease, the Daily Mirror learns.     

Over 30 carcasses of ducks and geese were recovered from  the Beira Lake near Gangaramaya Seema Malaka area within three days  since Wednesday and samples had been sent by the Department of Wildlife  Conservation for the post-mortem examination.   

A team of DWC officials who collected the carcasses from  the lake site had decided to send them to the Veterinary Investigation  Centre (VIC) in Homagama yesterday morning for the tests.   

A spokesperson from the DWC Western Province Rehabilitation  Centre in Attidiya told the Daily Mirror since all the seized bird  carcasses belonged to domesticated ducks the samples were sent to VIC  operating under the Department of Animal Production and Health.   

The official said only the wild ducks or birds would fall under the purview of the DWC.   

Meanwhile, sources within the VIC told the Daily Mirror  that out of 30 carcasses recovered, about 10 had been cut open during  the post-mortem to find a common symptom of severe haemorrhaging in the  vital organs like the heart, liver and lungs of the birds. The deceased birds had been identified as Muscovy, a Sub  Group of Ducks, and were in their prime of growth of about five to six  kilos in weight and about two to three years in age.   
According to sources, these birds feed on water plants,  worms, grains as well as man-made starchy foods like bread and rice. So  it is no wonder how they have adapted to the thick greenish algae mixed  water in the Beira for years with large sums of food waste also  released through sewerage systems.   

The primary investigation on the Avian Influenza has become  negative indicating the birds were not suffering from the common bird  flu but the ruptures in the blood vessels could lead nothing but to the  chief assumption of poisoning, the sources said.  

However, the samples will be sent to the Avian Virology Lab  (AVL) in Polgolla of the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) for  further investigations to determine whether the birds were suffering  from any other rare disease, the sources said.   

Meanwhile, an environmental expert said releasing of strong  chemicals like those used in septic tanks to kill its odour and purify  it could lead to the instant death of these water creatures if they had  been added to the lake water by any unknown party.   

The Daily Mirror on Friday, January 24th reported that  preliminary investigations carried out by the Urban Development  Authority (UDA) had revealed that an unknown party who had visited Beira  Lake on Wednesday had allegedly released some material into the water,  as witnessed by two labourers in the area.            

 An environmental expert said releasing of strong  chemicals like those used in septic tanks to kill its odour and purify  it could lead to the instant death of these water creatures if they had  been added to the lake water by any unknown party