Visakhapatnam: Hundreds of migratory birds died at the Telineelapuram bird sanctuary of Srikakulam district due to the heavy rain and gusty winds that Cyclone Titli brought with it on Thursday.
Telineelapuram, situated 65 km from Srikakulam town, was declared a bird sanctuary long ago. The village comprises several creeks covered by different types of trees.
Forest officials said that the migratory birds such as painted storks, adjutant storks and spot-billed pelicans travel more than 6,000 km to this sanctuary from Siberia in Russia, Germany, Australia and Hungary The migration happens mostly in October.
The birds stay in the sanctuary for seven months during which they lay eggs and hatch them. They leave the sanctuary between March and May along with their new-born babies.
Sources said that over 200 migratory birds were killed and over 1,000 birds lost their nests as some trees fell under the impact of the storm. In 2013, over 1,000 birds were killed after cyclone Phailin hit Srikakulam district.
