Uttar Pradesh: 71 sheep dead, several taken ill near Rashtra Prerna Sthal, CM Yogi orders probe

The sheep in an open area near the Rashtra Prerna Sthal, Lucknow, on Monday. (Express Photo)

At least 71 sheep died and several others were taken critically ill near the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, which was inaugurated on December 25, after consuming some poisonous substance.

While an NGO alleged that the animals suffered food poisoning after consuming rotten food dumped in an open area near the Rashtra Prerna Sthal, the district administration said the cause of deaths will be ascertained only after post-mortem reports are received.

Taking cognisance of the incident, CM Yogi Adityanath ordered an inquiry into the matter and announced financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per sheep.

The incident came to light after police alerted the Animal Husbandry Department, following which a team visited the site to start treatment of animals and assess the situation.

Post-mortem examination of the dead sheep has been conducted and the reports are awaited, the officials said.

Lucknow Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Manoj Kumar Singh said the administration is awaiting the post-mortem reports, after which the next course of action will be decided. The exact cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained, he added.

The sheep belong to some residents of Fatehpur district who came to Lucknow recently and were staying with their herd in the open space in Ghela area which is close to the Rashtra Prerna Sthal.

Lucknow Chief Veterinary Officer Suresh Kumar said after receiving information from police, he sent a team of three veterinary doctors to the spot to provide treatment to the affected sheep. “There are nearly 300 sheep at the site. Around 70 sheep have recovered after treatment. The treatment of the remaining animals is going on. Post-mortem has been conducted on the dead sheep and viscera samples have been preserved and will be sent to a laboratory for further examination,” Kumar said.

The doctors informed him that the sheep had likely consumed a poisonous substance a day earlier, following which their stomachs swelled, leading to breathing difficulties, the Chief Veterinary Officer said.

The dead sheep will be buried after completing the procedure.

Charu Khare of Aasra The Helping Hands, an NGO, alleged the animals consumed rotten food.

She claimed to have submitted a complaint to the police, holding the Lucknow Municipal Corporation responsible. “This is a case of gross negligence. Food waste was dumped in the open space, which led to the deaths of several sheep and left many others critically ill,” she alleged.

No FIR was registered in the matter till the filing of the report.