Marvi of Thar sings for her peacock to come to life

THARPARKAR: The peacocks that one danced in the yards of mud and straw houses, are either dead or lie ill in a corner as Ranikhet disease has plagued villages of Tharparkar. At least 10 peacocks have died during the last 24 hours in a village due to the disease.

In one such house, Marvi is waiting for the quick recovery of her pet peacock, Maro, that is not eating or drinking due to the disease.

While talking to Geo News Marvi says she does not have the heart to touch food as Maro sits with its neck hanging low due to weakness.

Hopeful nevertheless, Marvi sings to Maro, wishing her to wake up lively and healthy as she was before.

According to officials of the wildlife department, the number of peacocks died due to the disease has increased to 63 in the matter of a few days.

The disease is spreading to different villages of the district, affecting dozens of peacocks.

While talking to Geo News, Wildlife District Officer Ashfaq Ali Memon said the department does not have medicines or doctors to treat the peacocks. He added they have not got any budget for such purposes since the past seven years.

People of the villages have said the officials concerned have not taken any step to rid the district of the disease.

The disease that has been plaguing the district time and again since quite a few years has caused the number of peacocks in Tharparkar to decline.

Ranikhet is a disease of domestic and other birds that affects the respiratory and nervous system of the birds, according to an online biology forum. It states the disease causes breathing difficulties and twitching of the head in the birds.