GABORONE, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism Ministry has reported an alarming dying of mourning doves in some parts of the country.
The ministry's permanent secretary Jimmy Opelo on Thursday said a significant number of dead mourning doves carcasses have been spotted in the country's central district in Shoshong village.
"There are unconfirmed reports that other bird species are also dying. However, the cause of death is not known at the moment, and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and relevant stakeholders are working around the clock to establish the cause of these mortalities," said Opelo.
The ministry warned bird license holders not to hunt any bird until the cause of mortalities is established, adding that parents should protect children from eating the dead birds' carcasses.
Last year, Botswana reported a spate of dead hippos floating in the Okavango River and the deaths were attributed to anthrax by the veterinary authorities.
