Ministry probes increased cases of ill and dead pigeons on Male' streets

Scores of dead pigeons are being spotted around the streets of capital Male' city.

This has come to the attention of the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, which has launched a probe to determine what is leading to the increased deaths. The ministry said that details of what illness is causing the death will be shared promptly with the public as soon as the tests are completed.

Photos shared by the ministry show scabs or marks near the deceased pigeons' eyes and beak. It is so far unclear how many pigeons have died of the disease.