Durgapur bats succumb to heat

News Watch News Network
KOLKATA: A large numbers of bat died in several places of Durgapur in Burdwan district following the high temperature and heat wave.
A forest official said around 100 bats died in past few days. People from various areas informed forest officials regarding the deaths of the bats. Forest official sent a body of a bat for postmortem on Thursday to know the exact cause of the death of those animals. Body of a bat was found in a bush near the national highway at Muchipara-Khatpukur on Thursday. The temperature in the area near the coal mines around 45 degree Celsius.
Though a senior forest official said that those bats were common vampire bats(Desmodus rotundus), and can survive in between 35 degree Celsius to 42 degree Celsius, but body temperature of those bats could increase following the hot winds blowing in the mines areas, could be a reason of their deaths. Bats usually take shelter in the trees, but following the hot winds and high temperature the branches of the trees became hot here, and sunstroke may attack those bats, the forest official added. Kundan Halder, an animal rights activist said the forest department should form a committee to save those bats. He also added that soon the bats fall in the ground, they should provide water to save them else street dogs may devour them.
The deaths of the bats took place in Bokaro few days ago following soaring temperature. “Flying bats are most adversely impacted by the heat. In zoo, animals such as tigers are being given glucose and are being protected from the heat with their cages equipped with water coolers. So forest authorities should do all that is needful to protect their lives, Haldar said.

23 APRIL, 2010

Businessman killed by suspected Maoist

News Watch News Network
KOLKATA: A businessman, who was a supporter of the CPI-M was killed by suspected CPI-Maoist in a forest near Nayagram in West Midnapore today.
Police said Ashok Singh, the businessman, who went to Nigui forest, was found dead. A senior police official said Singh was killed by a gang of armed miscreants. Police suspected he was killed by Maoist. Police contacted with the family members of the victim. Miscreant killed him and later dumped his body in the Nigui forest.
Armed miscreants also killed a trader at Satsimulia near Haringhata in Nadia district last night. A family member said the man went away from his residence last night with a motorbike. His body was found this morning; police also recovered his motorbike from the spot. Some local people saw the man was killed by a gang of miscreants, who came in several motorbikes. His body was sent for an autopsy.
In another development body of a 23-year-old woman was found beside railway track near Malda Sadar Hospital. Police said Tura Singh, who was admitted to the Malda Sadar Hosptia, was found dead beside the railway track. Police are yet to ascertain the death.
23 APRIL, 2010