UMERKOT, July 31: Death of 120 lambs after loss of dozens of peacocks from some mysterious ailment has caused concern among the breeders.

Dawn on Tuesday learnt that 120 lambs died within three weeks in two villages.

Khamiso Nohri of Maroobah village said that over 70 lambs perished in his and neighbouring villages in three weeks. He said that he lost 20 lambs and had to sell 30 others at a throw-away price.

Lambs suffer from fever and then get paralysed. Soon after, red spots start appearing on eye membrane and nose, and pimples on skin where there is no wool. The skin becomes red and a thick reddish-yellow fluid flows from pimples and forms a crust.

Sick animals stop eating and expectant females lose their babies, he said.

Abdul Karim of Meghar village said that over 40 lambs perished in his village from sheep pox.

“Livestock is our only source of livelihood which now appears to be on threshold because of the death of flocks,” he said. “We apply all traditional healing methods and at times procure medicines from pharmacy.”

Villagers are not aware of any department for vaccination of livestock nor had any veterinary doctor visited their village.

He feared delayed rains may cause a drought-like situation in Thar Desert which may make it difficult for authorities to save livestock.

District Veterinary Officer, Livestock Department, Dr Abdul Ghani said he was unaware about the outbreak of disease but had constituted a team of veterinary doctors who would treat sick animals.