Environmental Experts: “The Cause of Miankale Wetland Bird Deaths Is Being Covered Up”

Some sources report that the number of birds that died in Miankale wetland is 10,000, while others claim it exceeds 20,000. Officials mention botulism toxin as a potential cause of death. However, experts view this explanation with skepticism.

Iran’s official authorities have attributed the deaths of migratory birds in Miankale to issues such as “botulism poisoning” or “the occurrence of highly acute avian influenza.” The National Veterinary Organization and the head of the Environmental Protection Organization believe botulism toxin is the cause of bird deaths in Miankale.

However, this explanation has not convinced many experts.

Ismail Kahrom, an environmental activist, told “Rokna” about “signs of intentionality” in the bird deaths.

Refuting the National Veterinary Organization’s claim that birds fed on botulism toxin “naturally produced in the wetland,” this environmental activist says: “Botulism toxin is not formed in lakes, but rather in canned goods that have been stored for years.”

Iran’s Veterinary Organization officials, while announcing that the cause of death is likely botulism toxin, have reported sending samples to laboratories outside the country. This environmental activist predicts: “You will never hear the results of this test because it is not botulism.”

“There was Human Involvement”

He explains the reason for “cover-up” regarding the cause of bird deaths by referring to the loss of “17,000 flamingo, avocet, pelican feathers and…” as follows: “Who should be held responsible for this volume of bird deaths? In order to avoid involving police, intelligence, and courts, they covered up the matter with the excuse of botulism toxin.”

Ismail Kahrom refers to the history of poisoning in this region: “There is such a history of poisoning that hunters go to the Environmental Protection Department and say, replace this ranger because he is treating hunters badly. Otherwise, we will poison!” To support his claim, he cites incidents from 1994 when “fishermen poisoned the main pond and killed the fish because rangers had confiscated their nets.” Based on these historical events, Kahrom believes that in this case too, “there was human involvement.”

Doubts About Botulism as the Cause of Death

Hamayun Khoshrowan, director of an international project on the effects of Caspian Sea fluctuations on the coastal environment who has been working on this international project for years and has written several articles about this Caspian region (Miankale wetland), is one of the experts who views official explanations regarding the cause of bird deaths with skepticism.

Khoshrowan told the “Aftab” website that “the largest volume of dead birds are flamingos and avocets” and given the fact that “the habitats of these two species are different,” he says: “These conditions make me skeptical about accepting botulism as the cause of bird deaths.”

Khoshrowan emphasizes: “In flamingo habitats, there are no algae at all that would die, become keratin, or have its shell decomposed to produce botulism toxin,” and continues: “How can we accept that the cause of death of this bird is botulism toxin in a place where there are no organic materials at all.”

Regarding avocets, he also notes that “the avocet habitat is completely different from the flamingo habitat,” and maintains that “if deaths were to occur, it would be for avocets since we have abundant plant material there and when this material decomposes as a result of the bay drying up, it can create conditions that lead to the production of various toxins including botulism, but what is important is that the habitat of these two birds is separated, meaning you never see flamingos in abundance in avocet habitats.”

He also questions the rumor of “poisoning” by protesting hunters or unscrupulous individuals: “In that case, why have only birds died? The fact that we do not see aquatic creatures suffering death requires further investigation.”

Based on these points, this expert concludes: “Therefore, this indicates that another incident is occurring in the region that is very important to know about.”

Source: DW