22 April,2009 08:04 AM IST | | Varun Singh
At 40u00b0C, even birds are falling prey to heat-related ailments such as heat strokes, dehydration
With the mercury rising, it's not just Mumbaikars who are feeling the heat. The nearly 40u00b0C temperatures are taking a toll on birds as well.
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The number of birds falling from the sky due to heat-related ailments such as heat strokes, dehydration and diarrhoea have gone up drastically over the past few weeks.
Can't beat the heat
Generally these illnesses break out in the month of May, but with summer setting in early this year, birds have been down with these ailments from the end of March.
According to Lt Col
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Dr J C Khanna, secretary, Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA), nearly 15 birds suffering from heat strokes are brought in to the hospital every day. Every year, BSPCA gets about 10 bird cases a day in May when the summer is at its peak.
Need shade
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"The sudden change in the climate has adversely affected birds. They cannot fly for long as the scorching sun sucks all their energy.
With deforestation birds do not find shade easily and have to take long flights in search of a cool spot," said Khanna.
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Dr Deepa Katyal Engineer, a vet, has been rescuing around five birds daily from Chembur and nearby areas, where her clinic is based.
"Most birds suffer from dehydration and diarrhoea. Utmost care needs to be taken of dehydrated birds.
They need to be fed vitamin B complex, glucose D and other multivitamin drops, which will help them to regain their strength and fly. Birds suffering from heat stroke take at least seven days to recover," said Engineer.
Falling prey
Pigeons are the most affected this summer. However, a large number of kites and falcons have also been admitted for temperature-related diseases.
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Sunish Subramaniam of PAWS, a NGO that works for animal welfare, has rescued more than 25 birds this summer and on an average tends to three birds daily. Most of the birds that he has rescued are kites.
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"Birds flying high get easily exhausted and, hence, descend searching for water. However, during their downward flight they lose their energy and easily fall prey to predators," he said.
What you can do
Keep a small vessel filled with fresh water in the balconies or society compound
On seeing a bird suffering from heat stroke take it to a shady place and immediately contact a vetu00a0
Do not destroy the nests of the birds if it's in the staircase. With deforestation, birds find it difficult to nest
(As suggested by Lt Col Dr J C Khanna, secretary, BSPCA)
