Imphal: At least 16 birds including endangered species were found trapped and killed by alleged poachers in the Keibul Lamjao National Park near the Loktak Lake in Manipur.
The birds were found trapped in nets, reports said.
Two birds said to be of an endangered species were rescued in a special operation conducted at 3 different locations inside the park on Monday, officials said.
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Over 20 nets spread for bird trapping at three locations were recovered during the operations conducted early on Monday morning.
Two live bird species – The black-crowned night heron, known locally as ‘Chongkhu’ in Manipuri, and the Manipur bush quail (Perdicula manipurensis) were found alive inside the trapping nets.
The night heroin was liberated inside the park in the presence of the media men while a wounded bush quail has been handed over to the Wildlife Institute of India, Manipur branch for treatments, officials added.
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The operations that lasted over three hours recovered 16 dead birds including the black-crowned night heron, known locally as ‘Chongkhu’, the Hoopoe (Upupa epops), Manipur bush quail, the Black Drongo (Dicrurus macro cercus), also known as King Crow, the black-crowned night heron, known locally as ‘Chongkhu’ in Manipuri, doves, owls, sparrows and bats.
Altogether, 35 staff of the Manipur Forest Department, including 6 women carried out the operations under the overall supervision of the Range officer Waikhom Khemchand.