Aircraft kills 36 flamingos in mid-air clash, suffers damages before landing in Mumbai

In India, dozens of flamingos were hit by a flight over the Laxmi Nagar area of Pantnagar in Mumbai's Ghatkopar on Monday (May 20) night. According to a report in Hindustan Times, an Emirates flight EK 508 reported a bird hit on arrival at 9:18 PM (Indian Standard Time). The flight landed while suffering damages.

Flamingos reported killed: What next?

According to additional chief conservator of forests (Mangrove protection cell) SY Rama Rao, 36 flamingo carcasses were found in Pantnagar following which a search has been launched to find out if more birds were killed.

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Mangrove protection cell’s deputy conservator Deepak Khade said, "The airport authorities have confirmed to us about the bird strike. This has happened closer to Laxmi Nagar (northern end of Ghatkopar East)."

Prashant Bahadure, range forest officer of the mangrove protection cell, told Hindustan Times, "I went to the airport, but they didn’t allow me entry. The airport authorities have told us these flamingos were hit by an Emirates flight. We got a call from the local residents and the incident may have happened between 8.40 PM to 8:50 PM and our team was on spot at 9.15 PM."

Environmentalist D Stalin on NGO Vanshakti told the newspaper, "What caused the birds to fly into the aeroplane, etc. are being investigated. My theory is the new power lines through the sanctuary area are causing disorientation to the birds. It should have never been permitted... Alternate routes were many. While giving permissions for power lines(earlier, it was not allowed inside sanctuaries) the wildlife board meekly surrendered to the power company. Instead, the Thane Creek Wildlife Sanctuary was bulldozed and towers erected."

Flamingo flocks in Mumbai region

The wetlands in Thane creek, NRI complex area and TS Chanakya lakes are home to flamingo flocks.

It is speculated that if someone or some people had chased the birds out at night from their habitat, the flocks might have attempted to fly towards Thane Creek following which they might have met the accident.

(With inputs from agencies)