At least 200 parrots have died over the past four days along the banks of the Narmada River in Khargone district, prompting concern among residents and triggering an investigation by forest and veterinary authorities. Officials confirmed on Friday (January 2, 2026) that food poisoning was the likely cause, while bird flu has been ruled out.
The carcasses were discovered near an aqueduct bridge in the Badwah area, a spot frequented by visitors. Following alerts from locals, teams from the forest department, veterinary department, and wildlife wing rushed to the site and have been monitoring the area continuously for the past four days.
District Wildlife Warden Tony Sharma said several parrots were initially found alive during rescue operations. “Unfortunately, the toxicity of the food consumed was so severe that many of the rescued birds succumbed shortly afterward,” he said, adding that preliminary findings strongly suggest poisoning caused by improper and contaminated feeding.
Veterinarian Dr Manisha Chauhan, who conducted the post-mortem examinations, said the birds showed clear symptoms of food poisoning, with no clinical or pathological indicators of avian influenza. To confirm the findings, viscera samples have been sent to Jabalpur for detailed laboratory testing.
Veterinary extension officer Dr Suresh Baghel said examinations revealed rice grains and small pebbles in the stomachs of the dead parrots. Officials believe the deaths may be linked to cooked or leftover food fed by visitors, pesticide-laced grains from nearby agricultural fields, or contaminated water intake from the river.
In response, the forest department has imposed a ban on feeding birds near the aqueduct bridge and deployed staff to enforce the restriction. Authorities have urged people to refrain from feeding wild birds, warning that human food can severely disrupt avian digestive systems and prove fatal.
Officials said awareness campaigns may be launched to prevent similar incidents in the future.
