NEW DELHI, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- A total of 20 peacocks, including three males and 17 females, were found dead in an agricultural land in India's southern state of Karnataka, an official said on Monday.
According to the state's Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, the birds died in Hanumanthapura village in the state's Tumakuru district. A probe had been ordered to find out the exact cause of the birds' deaths, he added.
"The agricultural land is owned by a village farmer. Prima facie it appears that the farmer had sprayed some pesticide on his crops. The birds fed on the crops, got poisoned and died instantly. Final report of the accident is awaited," the official said.
Peacock is India's national bird. ■
