JAIPUR: The Central Avian Research Institute in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, has identified avian botulism, a neuro-muscular illness caused by a toxin produced by a bacterial strain, as the cause of bird mortality at Sambhar Lake in its investigation report. Since Oct 26, around 600 deaths have been recorded at the country’s largest inland saline water body, which is spread across three districts.
A forest official said, “The maximum number of deaths are in Nagaur district, while mortality is less in Dudu and Jaipur areas. The situation is being regularly assessed and teams have been deployed to rescue the affected birds. Three centres have been established and carcasses are promptly being removed to prevent the disease’s spread.”
The recent deaths are occurring after the last outbreak in 2019 when around 18,000 birds died.
Dau Lal, PhD in Zoology (Animal Microbiology & Wildlife), explained, “Avian botulism is caused by a toxin produced by an anaerobic bacterium called clostridium botulinum. This bacterium can remain in the soil for years, feeding on protein in muscles. From the soil, it enters the meat of dead animals and multiplies, producing the potent botulinum toxin. When scavenging birds feed on maggot-infested carcasses, the toxin reaches their nerves, leading to paralysis. The effect depends on the amount of toxin consumed by the bird. Flamingos, which don’t feed on maggots or meat, remain unaffected, while scavenger birds are primarily affected.”
Gourav Dadhich, a wildlife enthusiast involved in the rescue efforts, said deaths of six species, including the Northern Shoveler, Common Teal, Black-winged Stilt, Ruff, Sandpiper and Eurasian Curlew, have been confirmed. He added, “Migratory birds continue to flock to the lake in large numbers. The authorities are not taking any chances and teams are continuing to monitor the situation at the lake. Currently, over 300,000 birds are at the lake. Due to the vigilance of the teams, affected birds are promptly rescued, treated, and released back after medication.”
A forest official said, “The maximum number of deaths are in Nagaur district, while mortality is less in Dudu and Jaipur areas. The situation is being regularly assessed and teams have been deployed to rescue the affected birds. Three centres have been established and carcasses are promptly being removed to prevent the disease’s spread.”
The recent deaths are occurring after the last outbreak in 2019 when around 18,000 birds died.
Dau Lal, PhD in Zoology (Animal Microbiology & Wildlife), explained, “Avian botulism is caused by a toxin produced by an anaerobic bacterium called clostridium botulinum. This bacterium can remain in the soil for years, feeding on protein in muscles. From the soil, it enters the meat of dead animals and multiplies, producing the potent botulinum toxin. When scavenging birds feed on maggot-infested carcasses, the toxin reaches their nerves, leading to paralysis. The effect depends on the amount of toxin consumed by the bird. Flamingos, which don’t feed on maggots or meat, remain unaffected, while scavenger birds are primarily affected.”
Gourav Dadhich, a wildlife enthusiast involved in the rescue efforts, said deaths of six species, including the Northern Shoveler, Common Teal, Black-winged Stilt, Ruff, Sandpiper and Eurasian Curlew, have been confirmed. He added, “Migratory birds continue to flock to the lake in large numbers. The authorities are not taking any chances and teams are continuing to monitor the situation at the lake. Currently, over 300,000 birds are at the lake. Due to the vigilance of the teams, affected birds are promptly rescued, treated, and released back after medication.”
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