Here is a report from my friend, Uma K, who was participating in the Bangalore Bird Race, along with other members of her team:
At around 11 a.m. on Bird Race Day, Team Rosefinch (Suma Rao, Gayathri Naik, Garima Bhatia, Jainy Maria and I) was birding at Karenahalli kere, one of the lakes off Kanakapura Road, just past Somanahalli. Our attention was focussed on a flock of about 30-35 lesser whistling teals, when we heard a gunshot, and the entire flock took to the air. Right across the lake from us, we could see a lone injured duck flapping desperately in an attempt to fly. The shooter came out from behind the reeds where he had been hiding, took the duck by its neck, and walked out. After hanging around there for a while, he and his companions left.
Soon after we heard the gunshot, I called up Rajesh, who is a wildlife rescue volunteer for BBMP from Malleswaram. He contacted Sanjeev (volunteer from South Bangalore who is cced on this mail), who in turn tried to get the local law enforcement to make it to the lake before the killer left. We waited for some time, and then headed out to Nelligudda kere, where once again, we heard a gunshot, and saw a large flock of lesser whistling teals take off. But we were too far away to see the shooter or to make out if any duck had been killed.
If you would like to see some pics taken by Garima Bhatia
If any of you come across any such incident, please call Sharath at 9880108801. Sharath is the Honorary Wildlife Warden for BBMP.
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