Spot-billed pelicans                                                          

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Context: A nematode infestation has led to mass mortality of spot-billed pelicans (Pelicanus philippensis) at Telineelapuram Important Bird Area (IBA) in Andhra Pradesh.

More about news:

• Cause of death: Preliminary inquiry suggests that nematode infestation is the cause for the death of the spot-billed pelicans.
• The nematode parasite is suspected to be transferred through fish and snails in particular, when the birds prey in the aqua ponds.

About spot-billed pelican:

• Habitat:
  • It breeds in southern Asia from southern Iran across India east to Indonesia.
  • It is a bird of large inland and coastal waters, especially large lakes.
• It is not migratory, but is known to make local movements and are more widely distributed in the non-breeding season.
• Conservation status: Near Threatened under IUCN Red list.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/spot-billed-pelicans-dying-en-masse-in-naupada-swamp/article38330892.ece#:~:text=A%20nematode%20infestation%20has%20led,Srikakulam%20district%20in%20Andhra%20Pradesh.&text=Only%20adult%20birds%20have%20succumbed%20to%20the%20infestation%20till%20date.