Bengaluru Records Nearly 300 Bird Deaths from Chinese Manja in 12 Days
Bengaluru witnessed a tragic surge in bird fatalities over a recent 12-day period. Close to 300 birds perished after getting entangled in Chinese manja, a sharp and dangerous kite string. The city's rescue centers are struggling to cope with the alarming number of cases.
Rescue Centers Overwhelmed by Manja Incidents
People for Animals (PfA) received nearly 60 emergency rescue calls this month alone. Each call represented a bird in distress, often with severe injuries from the manja. The situation appears even more dire at the Avian and Reptile Rehabilitation Centre (ARRC). Their records show 244 confirmed manja-related cases during the same 12-day window.
This data points to a widespread and immediate threat to Bengaluru's urban wildlife. The numbers suggest that for every call to PfA, several more incidents go unreported or are handled by other organizations.
The Silent Threat of Chinese Manja
Chinese manja, often coated with glass or metal, poses a lethal risk. It is designed to cut through other kite strings during festivals but has devastating consequences for birds. When birds fly into these nearly invisible lines, they suffer deep cuts, broken wings, or strangulation.
"The sheer volume of cases in such a short time is unprecedented," a wildlife volunteer noted, highlighting the scale of the crisis. Rescue workers face a race against time to save injured birds, but many succumb to their wounds before help arrives.
A Call for Awareness and Action
The incident spike has prompted urgent calls from animal welfare groups. They are urging the public and authorities to take immediate steps:
- Report injured birds immediately to recognized rescue centers like PfA or ARRC.
- Avoid using Chinese manja entirely, especially during kite-flying seasons.
- Support awareness campaigns about the dangers this string poses to urban fauna.
Bengaluru's bird population is under severe threat. The recent data serves as a stark reminder that human activities can have fatal consequences for local wildlife. Without concerted effort, these preventable tragedies will continue.
