site.btaPelican Death Toll in World-Heritage Lake Increases to 31

Pelican Death Toll in World-Heritage Lake Increases to 31

Silistra, on the Danube, April 17 (BTA) - The pelican death toll
in the Sreburna Nature Reserve increased to 31 after two more
birds were found dead on Friday, Sebahtin Halid, Director of the
Regional Food Safety Directorate in Silistra, told the media.

Bird flu has been confirmed as the cause of death for 21 of the
Dalmatian pelicans found dead so far at Lake Sreburna (also
spelled Srebarna), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since
1983. The remaining ten birds are still being examined. Latest
data put the number of registered pairs of pelicans in the
reserve at 65.

Halid said birds of other species have not been found dead or
incapacitated in the area. Nor are there any deaths among the
newly hatched young pelicans.

The two protection zones designated around the bird flu hotspot
(the outer one measuring 10 km in radius) and other protective
measures taken by the authorities remain in place. The
restrictions on visits to the reserve do not apply to the local
Museum of Natural Sciences, its Director Elena Ilieva said. The
restrictions apply to the former buffer zone and adjacent areas,
tourist infrastructure and any fishing sites.