Kodiyakadu Wildlife Sanctuary lost hundreds of migratory birds due to cyclone Gaja

The cyclone that wrought havoc last month claimed the lives of 373 migratory birds and 18 deer, four wild boars, according to the first phase of the census conducted at the Kodiyakadu Wildlife Sanctuary near Vedaranyam in the district.

Wildlife activists were concerned over the fate of the animals in the sanctuary as hundreds of trees got uprooted during the calamity and wanted the officials to take a census. Wildlife warden Naga Sathish Gidijala conducted the census with the help of the forest employees and college students.

Forest ranger Krishnamoorthy told newsmen that 18 deer, including spotted deer, four wild boars and 373 migratory birds had died. The census would be completed in a week, he said.

He said the glory of the sanctuary had been affected by the cyclone and efforts would be taken to soon restore the original forest cover.