India, Feb. 24 -- Ten peacocks were found dead and another was in critical condition in Loni's Pyachara village on Monday due to suspected phosphate poisoning from agricultural fields, said the Ghaziabad forest department officials.

Locals noticed the dead peacocks in the fields of the village, adjacent to the Yamuna River, and alerted the police around 11am, said officials.

"Ten peacocks were found dead when our team visited the site, and one was found in severe dehydration. There were no signs of any injuries to the birds or any signs visible for poaching, etc. Upon inquiry, our team found that phosphate mixed in water was used in one of the nearby agricultural fields yesterday. It is suspected that the peacocks may have consumed the ...