CHENNAI: A pelican was seriously injured and another died after being attacked by unidentified miscreants at Korattur Lake over the last two days.While the first incident occurred around 9 am on Saturday on the western side of the lake, the second bird was attacked around noon on Sunday on the eastern side. Residents suspect the birds were being hunted for their meat.“The first bird, weighing 6 kg, was taken to the veterinary clinic at Guindy’s Children’s Park, where it succumbed to its injuries in the evening. It had injuries near its beak and neck. The second bird, weighing more than 4 kg, was injured below its eye, around the same region. We are transporting it to the vet,” said a forest department staff member.While a section of residents claimed that the miscreants were using pellet guns to attack the birds, Assistant District Forest Officer Elango ruled out the possibility.“It appears that the birds were pelted with stones. We are sending a squad to the spot to investigate the issue and discuss the future course of action,” he said, adding that the miscreants could be punished under relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.Meanwhile, the incidents have renewed demands to declare the lake a bird sanctuary.“This has been our long-pending demand. Several migratory birds visit Korattur Lake, and the only way to protect them and take stringent action against miscreants is to transfer control of the lake from the Water Resources Department to the Forest Department,” said S. Sekharan of Korattur Eri Padhukappu Makkal Iyakkam.
