Birds burned to prevent H5n1

26 love birds torched to avoid risk of avian flu

Published: Monday, 7 August, 2006, 11:40 AM Doha Time

By Julmunir I Jannaral
AUTHORITIES incinerated yesterday some 26 African love birds seized earlier from a businessman caught attempting to sneak them into Manila through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Bangkok, Thailand.
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) burned the birds in the presence of Bureau of Customs (BoC) officials inside the animal quarantine compound located at the Nayong Pilipino "to avoid risk of bird flu," officials said.
The birds were seized a few days ago by the BoC and BAI authorities from Danilo Alano Trinidad, 44, of Sipac, Navotas, who flew in from Bangkok on board Philippine Airlines flight PR-731.
NAIA Customs District Collector Carlos So said Trinidad was nabbed by Customs authorities while carrying the birds shortly after he deplaned.