10 Buffaloes die in last four days

Sudden death of a number of buffaloes during last four days at a village in Odisha's Cuttack district appeared to have baffled veterinary surgeons who are yet to find out the exact cause.
Though veterinary surgeons have conducted post mortem on two dead buffaloes yesterday, reports are yet to be compiled, said Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO), Dr H B Nayak.
At least ten buffaloes of Pathar Mundei village near Gatiroutpatna here have died since Sunday and about half-a-dozen others are stated to be in a critical condition, Nayak said adding the sick buffalo are now under treatment at an isolated location on a river patha (islet).

Instruction has been given not to allow any other domestic animals near the sick buffaloes, he said.
While three buffaloes died on Sunday evening, sources said seven others died later taking the toll to 10 by last evening. The cattle growers claim that a herd of buffaloes came across pungent smell emanating from rotten cattle flesh that were dug in a pit and later taken out of the pit by wild animals, including stray dogs.
While there were no reports of deaths of any other animals, including the stray dogs, which feasted on the rotten flesh, the death of buffaloes had spread panic among local buffalo raisers.