8 blue bulls found dead in Amreli village

TNN | Apr 15, 2016, 12.33 AM ISTRajkot: At least eight blue bulls (nilgais) were found dead in a farm in Khadadhar village of Amreli district's Khambha taluka on Thursday afternoon.

Forest department officials, who rushed to the spot, suspect that the animals may have died after consuming contaminated water mixed with fertilizer.

According to sources, the bodies of blue bulls were found in the farm owned by one Valji Kalsaria. Forest officials took custody of the dead animals and sent them for postmortem to ascertain the exact cause of their deaths.
"Primarily, it seems that the water which the animals drank may have contained urea. Farmers around Gir Sanctuary mix urea into water to ward off blue bulls and wild boars that destroy their crop. However, it is dangerous to use urea in water as other animals like lions may also consume it," said an official.

Khadadhar village is located on the border of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary which houses Asiatic lions. In the past, lions have also died after drinking water containing urea in villages around Khambha. "Wild animals are found mostly on private lands. Moreover, this is summer time and water sources have dried up. So, the animals consume water from the private water points set up in the farms," added an official.

The dead blue bulls were taken to Jasadhar Animal Care Centre for post mortem.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/8-blue-bulls-found-dead-in-Amreli-village/articleshow/51833618.cms