Police probe mass bird deaths at Hulhudhoo duck park

The police have opened an investigation into the mass death of birds and fish at a popular public park in the Hulhudhoo district of Addu City.

Opened two years ago, the duck park in Hulhudhoo houses bird houses, attracting flocks of ducks, pigeons and other birds, as well as a pond with schools of colorful fish.

But the birds and fish at the park began dying en mass last week, sparking allegations of foul play.

A police spokesperson confirmed on Sunday that they are conducting an investigation into the case in collaboration with other relevant agencies.

However, the police did not say if they are treating it as a case of poising as is alleged by locals.

They have also yet to announce any arrests in the case.

Hussain Faiz-uh Rahman, a councilman from Addu, share suspicions with other locals that the duck and fish at the park were deliberately poisoned.

He said the deaths at the duck park came to the attention of the Addu City Council on Thursday.

At first, it was just the ducks ending up dead, but now, the fish are dying too.

Faiz-uh Rahman told Sun on Saturday that seven out of eight ducks at the park were now dead, with the eighth one also sick.

He said that while they suspect the use of a poison, the council’s investigations have so far been inconclusive as they lack the capacity to test for poisoning.

He also said that the duck park does not have CCTV coverage, but that the council is now considering installing cameras there.

Neither the Animal Welfare Ministry nor the Environment Ministry were immediately responsive to queries seeking a comment regarding the case.