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Fajardo – The passage of tropical storm Ernesto through Fajardo and other towns in the east left behind a peculiar scene. During a tour of the passive park of Las Croabas in this coastal municipality, dozens of dead birds were found, specifically monkeys and pigeons. Others were seriously injured.
The scene sparked the curiosity of people – and pets – who were wandering around Las Croabas after the storm on Wednesday and came to look at the scene of birds on the pavement and in the grass.
In fact, the area of Las Croabas was one of the most affected by storm Ernesto, which passed through Puerto Rico between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. Storm winds blew strong in Fajardo in the early morning hours, with gusts intensifying at times.
Several people have theorized on social media that the death of these birds is due to a lightning strike on the huge tree at the entrance to the passive park, which caused the death of these animals. At the moment, the reason has not been confirmed.
The New Day contacted the Department of Natural Resources (DRNA) to find out how to handle the bird carcasses.
A similar scenario occurred after Hurricane Maria in 2017, when the town’s public square was completely covered in dead birds.
1 / 28 | In pictures: The effects of Tropical Storm Ernesto in Puerto Rico. Municipal officials in Canóvanas tend to fallen vegetation caused by Tropical Storm Ernesto. – Ramon “Tonito” Zayas
DRNA rescued injured birds
Angel Atienza, from the Wildlife Unit of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) reported that they rescued the injured birds in an attempt to rehabilitate them.
“There were a few that were alive and we asked them to be picked up and brought back to see if we can give them a chance to live and, when they are well, release them. I understand that it was because lightning struck. If that was the case, once they are in our hands, we will do everything possible to ensure that they are well and to be able to release them again,” he said.
He said that such events are not common during a storm, so the theory that lightning struck the tree where they were sheltering from the rain and wind could be valid.
“It is not common. In all my time, I had not seen it and so we thought it must be lightning and all the birds fell dead. Lightning is an event that no one can predict,” said.
The injured animals were collected and will be transported to the Cambalache State Forest in Arecibo to be treated by a veterinarian.
He did not say how many birds died or how many would be rescued.
“They contacted us to ask if we could cure them and we cannot miss the opportunity to bring them and rehabilitate them,” he said, noting that, in addition to monkeys and pigeons, there may be other monkey-like birds that are also injured.
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