Jaisalmer, Oct. 18 -- A migratory bird, Kurja (Demoiselle Crane), was found dead under mysterious circumstances near Devikot area in Jaisalmer, sparking concerns of a possible bird flu outbreak. It was mentioned here that the district had witnessed a similar outbreak last year in which several Kurja birds died due to avian influenza. According to officials, villagers spotted the injured bird struggling on Thursday and immediately informed the forest department. A team rushed to the spot and took the bird to the animal hospital in Jaisalmer for treatment. However, it succumbed before medical aid could be provided. As a precaution, the forest department has collected samples from the dead bird and sent them to the Bhopal laboratory for testing. "We have taken samples and dispatched them to the lab in Bhopal. The exact cause of death will be known only after the report is received. It would be premature to speculate whether it is a case of bird flu," said district forest officer Shubham Kumar. In the 2024-25 season, at least 33 Kurja birds had died due to bird flu in Jaisalmer, particularly in early January 2025. At that time, the administration had taken preventive measures to contain the spread of the infection. The recent incident has rekindled fears among locals, as last year large number of Kurja birds were found dead at Degrai, Lathi, Dholiya, and Devikot ponds due to avian influenza. Thousands of Demoiselle Cranes migrate every year from Siberia and Central Asia to Jaisalmer's lakes and ponds, where they stay between November and February. Villagers say large flocks of these birds have already arrived this year, and any potential disease outbreak could cause significant harm. The forest department has requested residents to immediately report any sighting of sick or dead birds to the authorities so that timely testing and preventive action can be taken....