(ID) 18 monkeys killed in Bengal

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18 monkeys found dead in army swimming pool

OUR CORRESPONDENT A forest employee collects water sample from the

pool. Picture by Kundan Yolmo

 

Siliguri, March 2: The carcasses of 18 rhesus monkeys were found floating in

an army swimming pool in Bengdubi today, sparking concern that the primates

may have died of poisoning.

 

The swimming pool is in the 111 Sub-Area of the Indian Army, around 15km

from here. The pool is not used in winter and had stagnant water in the

bottom. The army is yet to provide details on the pool — its exact

measurements including the depth — to the forest department.

 

“The army informed us this morning that bodies of monkeys were floating in

the pool,” said Y.T. Aden, the divisional forest officer of Kurseong. “Our

officers and members of the wildlife squad stationed in Sukna fished out the

carcasses. Post-mortems have been conducted.”

 

“The viscera samples collected will be sent to Calcutta for forensic tests

and so will be the water of the pool. Only after we receive the reports, can

we specify the cause of death,” he added.

 

Other foresters said they had a strong suspicion that the rhesus monkeys had

died of poisoning.

 

“We found blood in their mouths and rectum, which happens in case of

poisoning,” a forest officer said. “The monkeys may have consumed something.

Like any other animal, they seem to have jumped into the pool for water when

the poison started working.”

 

Another forester said the vets who conducted the post-mortems, too, suspect

poisoning to be the cause of the death. “We are waiting for reports of the

confirmatory tests,” he said.

 

Herds of rhesus monkeys are found in Bagdogra and Bengdubi. “They stay in

groups and live on trees and areas adjoining forests. The pool and nearby

water sources are known to them,” the forester said.

 

Rhesus monkeys usually live for 15-20 years and are found in India,

Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burma, Thailand and Afghanistan.

 

Animesh Bose, programme-coordinator of the Siliguri-based Himalayan Nature

and Adventure Foundation and a member of the state board for wildlife,

described the deaths as “mysterious”. After post-mortem, the carcasses were

taken to Taipoo forest near Bagdogra and burnt. “The carcasses were burnt so

that other animals do not consume them and get poisoned,” a forest officer

said.

Wednesday , March 3 , 2010

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