39 flamingos were found dead in multiple parts of Ghatkopar East on Monday night following a collision with an Emirates aircraft landing at the Mumbai airport.
The search and retrieval operation, conducted by Forest Department Officer Amol Bhagwat and assisted by the Maharashtra Security Forces, was initiated at around 10 p.m. The operation was prompted after receiving multiple complaints from local residents.
About 29 carcasses were discovered on Monday late night, and 10 more were discovered on Tuesday morning.
Additional chief conservator of forests (Mangrove protection cell) SY Rama Rao said, “We found 39 flamingos during a nightlong search operation and was called off at 11 am on Tuesday. In the meantime, we have also asked locals to alert us if they find any other affected birds.”
As the Emirates EK 508 flight from Dubai to Mumbai was about to land at around 9 p.m., the flamingos, which were heading northward, collided with it. Shortly after landing at 9:15 p.m., the pilots notified Air Traffic Control of the bird strike.
Flamingo carcasses were found scattered around a half-kilometre radius by the locals. One bird, initially rescued alive, succumbed to its injuries shortly after.
Concerns over the incident have been raised by experts and activists, who blame inadequate urban planning for it.
The tragedy has prompted environmentalists to increase their efforts to protect the biodiversity of Navi Mumbai.
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