Rare sea bird spotted in Navi Mumbai, dies

A Lesser Noddy, a Maldivian sea bird, seen rarely in India, which was spotted on Sunday at Seawoods NRI complex in Navi Mumbai died a day later.

The bird which appeared to be struggling, was taken to the WWA Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Manpada, Thane, nearly 30 km away. Unfortunately, the bird could not be saved, WWA's rescuers Sunpreet Sawardekar and Mayur Dalvi said.

“This calls for the urgency of commissioning the veterinary hospital in Navi Mumbai,” said NatConnect Foundation Director B N Kumar who expressed concern over the recent death of several birds, including flamingos in Navi Mumbai.

NMMC reportedly decided to appoint a consultant for making internal changes in the animal hospital, but NatConnect said the civic body could have contacted the neighbouring municipal corporations in Thane, Mumbai and Panvel or even the state veterinary department.

Apart from birds, several pets and stray animals fall sick, get injured in accidents and they go medically unattended which is a sad situation, animal activist Jyoti Nadkarni said.

Meanwhile, BNHS has decided to take possession of the bird from the Forest Department for research.

Environment watchdog NatConnect pointed out that the UNDP has launched a Noddy conservation programme in Maldives.

“A high density of seabirds on islands are also important to coral reefs, which they fertilize, and they contribute to the health of fisheries. Birds are also a major tourist attraction,” says the UNDP website quoting Tatayah.

“These statements reinforce our concerned campaign to save flamingos and other migratory and local birds,” Kumar added.