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Tern carcasses found in Male lagoon area beyond the Maafannu Stadium. Photo/EPA

Terns suspected to have died from neglect found in Male lagoon

The EPA has asked people to share any information with the agency if they are aware of the birds or its keepers.

27 November 2022

By Shahudha Mohamed

Terns believed to have been dumped into the sea after they had died while being handled were found in the harbour area on the south side of Male Sunday.

According to a tweet by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

  • 15 dead terns found floating in lagoon

  • The birds are believed to have died while being handled

  • The birds were found in the lagoon area off Maafannu Stadium

The EPA has asked people to share any information with the agency if they are aware of the birds or its keepers.

These birds, locally known as ‘Valla’ are one of the protected birds in the Maldives. Under the country's Environment Protection Act, the capture, confinement, transportation and killing of any protected species is prohibited.

In 2016, the police had recovered protected birds that were locked up in a cage. The man who had captured the birds in B. Dhonfan island was fined over MVR 100,000.

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