A.P: Mass mortality of spot-billed pelicans.

29 Janauary 2022.

Introduction:

Andhra Pradesh State Forest Department has approached experts from Wildlife Institute of India (WII-Deharadun), Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI-Kolkata), for preventing mass mortality of spot-billed pelicans in Naupada swamp at Telineelapuram, Srikakulam district.

Highlights:

  • Telineelapuram is a designated Important Bird Area (IBA), where pelicans have been succumbing to ‘Nematode infestation’ since December 2021.
  • It is also home to painted stork. However, Stork has not been infected with Nematode infestation so far.

What is the issue?

  • At least five spot-billed pelicans are dying every day, on an average, at Telineelapuram.
  • Total death toll has crossed 160.
  • 180 more adult species are surviving along with their chicks. They are expected to be homebound by mid-Summer.

Spot-billed Pelicans

  • The spot-billed pelicans or grey pelican are scientifically called as Pelecanus philippensis.
  • They are a member of pelican family.
  • The species breed in South Asia from southern Iran to east India to Indonesia.
  • The bird lives in coastal waters and large inland, especially large lakes. Breeding population of these species is limited to India, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.
  •  In non-breeding season they are recorded in Myanmar, Nepal, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

IUCN status

  • IUCN red list has listed the species in Near Threatened list.
  •  While in Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, it is a Schedule IV species.
  •  Thus, it’s hunting is prohibited but penalty for any violation is less.

About Pelicans

  • Pelicans are a genus of large water birds.
  • They make up the family Pelecanidae.
  • The birds are characterized by a long beak and large throat pouch, which they use to catch prey and drain water from scooped-up contents before swallowing.
  • There are eight living pelican species across the globe.
  •  They are distributed latitudinally from tropics to the temperate zone.

About Naupada

  • Naupada is a village in Santha Bommali mandal of Srikakulam district.
  • It is located near palasa town in Andhra Pradesh.
  •  The village is famous for salt fields and is known as “Salt Bowl of Andhra Pradesh”.
  • It is also known for its railway junction station.

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