BADIN, Nov 8: Around 100 migratory and some local birds were found dead in Jabho and Shah Mehro lakes of Zero Point near the Karoo Ghoonghro Drain in Thatta district. The deputy conservator of wildlife, Hyderabad division, Saeed Akhtar Baloch, the assistant conservator of wildlife, Badin district, Ahmad Hussain Nizamani, and wildlife field staff visited various lakes in Thatta and Badin districts.

Fishermen at Zero Point told the wildlife officials that a large number of birds had been found dead in lakes of Thatta.

Mr Nizamani said 77 migratory coots, one gadwall and some local birds, including small sea gull, had been found dead in Jabho and Shah Mehro lakes.

Mr Baloch collected five dead migratory coots and a gadwall for tests to see if they were infected with virus causing bird flu. Mr Nizamani also sent two live birds to authorities for tests.

Mr Baloch told journalists that nothing could be said about the cause of the deaths before the test report was received.

He said that during his journey from Karachi, he visited the Haleji Lake wildlife sanctuary where he found no dead migratory birds. Dead birds were also not found in lakes of the Badin district, he said.

Fishermen said the deaths of the birds might have been caused by highly toxic effluent of sugar mills in various drains.

The wildlife officials said the matter was being handled seriously and within few days the entire position would be clear.