Avian Botulism – Burning Issues – Free PDF Download

Context

• On November 10, visitors at Sambhar Lake, India’s largest inland saltwater lake located about 80 km southwest of Jaipur, spotted a very large number of dead birds.

Sambhar Lake

• The Sambhar Salt Lake is India’s largest inland saltwater body located near Jaipur in Rajasthan.
• The lake is surroundedon all sides by the Aravali hills. 

How it happened?

• The investigation so far points to Avian Botulism— a paralytic, frequently fatal disease caused by the ingestion of toxins — as a possible cause.
• After studying bird samples and on the basis of history, epidemiological observations, classical clinical symptoms and post-mortem findings, the most probable diagnosis is avian botulism.

Avian Botulism

• The avian botulism is a neuro-muscular illnesscaused by Botulinum (natural toxin) that is produced by a bacteria — Clostridium botulinum.
• The bacteria is commonly foundin the soil, rivers, and seawater. It affects both humans and animals.

Other Reasons

• Viral infection
• Toxicity, as new area has been filled up after almost 20 years, and there could be higher concentration of salts along the edges
• Bacteriological infection
• Higher temperature and high water levels due to good monsoon might have led to an increase in intra-species and inter-species competition for resources.

Caused by the climate

• Fluctuating Water levels
• Favourable environment for bacteria
• Nutrient-rich substrate

Theories

• The bacteria is also found in the gills and digestive tracts of healthy fish
• A bird-to-bird cycle’

Way forward

• A fresh document should study why the water from four rivers, which flows into the lake, has decreased over the years.It should study the hydrology, sedimentation, the increase or decrease in depth of the lake, as well as birds, animals, their food sources, etc.
• The establishment of rescue and medical centres along with the mitigation of climate change need to be considered by the government as a precautionary measure for the future.

CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES OF WILD ANIMALS

• In order to protect the migratory species throughout their range countries, a Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), has been in force, under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme.
• Also referred to as the Bonn Convention, it provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats and brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range States, and lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range.

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