In a statement today, DVS said it received a complaint from the Ipoh city council on May 4 regarding a large number of dead pigeons near the park’s fountain.

“Based on our preliminary findings, infectious disease has been ruled out. We are awaiting the results of a test for possible poisoning.”

DVS said a post-mortem on three of the birds revealed no external injuries but uncovered signs of internal trauma, including bleeding in the lungs and trachea, blood clots in the chest cavity, and discolouration of the liver.

Samples from the birds were sent for laboratory testing and preliminary results came back negative for Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease, and Adenovirus, it added.

The department has urged the public to report any unusual animal deaths to the nearest DVS office or through its hotline at 03-8870 2041.

Videos of the dead birds made the rounds on social media on May 5, prompting the DVS to investigate the matter.