While the alarming death toll of migratory birds in Miankaleh swamp in the Mazandaran province of Iran is still on the rise, Iranian media is reporting more mysterious deaths of birds in other provinces including Northern Khorasan, Golestan, and Qom.

According to ISNA, in Qom province, there are reports of pigeons and crows dying in high numbers. In Miankaleh swamp, most of the dead birds were flamingos and coots.

IRNA previously reported that Golestan province has also witnessed the deaths of migratory birds including flamingos and coots.

A veterinary official in Northern Khorasan also confirmed the alarming death toll of starlings in the Bojnord city and said: “The cause of the starlings’ death is not Newcastle disease or bird flu.”

The head of Bojnord’s Environmental Protection Organization announced that most of the dead birds in Bojnord were black-throated thrushes.

Meanwhile, the death toll of migratory birds in Miankaleh Swamp is still on the rise with over 12000 birds dead.

According to IRNA, the death of migratory birds has actually increased the demand for wild bird meat in Winter.

The Islamic Republic officials had previously claimed botulism as the cause of the bird deaths but environmentalists and animal experts have rejected the explanation and criticized the government officials for their lack of transparency and making such claims.