Zinc Phosphide poisoning in Indian Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus)

Zinc phosphide is used as a rodenticide and is toxic to animals with varying toxicity among species. Primary poisoning of wildlife has been recorded especially in seed-eating birds and waterfowl, secondary poisoning may occur if predators eat poisoned animals that contain a large dose in their alimentary canal. The episode of death of Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus) was noted in the Nilgiri Biosphere of the Western Ghats by the locals and reported to the forest authorities. Subsequently four dead birds were collected for thorough post-mortem examination and samples were collected for laboratory investigation. The samples were subjected to various tests like hydro cyanic acid detection test, zinc phosphide detection test and organo-phosphorus compounds detection test. The history, the post-mortem findings and the toxicological investigation confirmed that these birds succumbed to the rodenticide, zinc phosphide. We confirm that the Jungle Myna opted for the zinc phosphide coated grains used for rodent control in the forest area.