A unique funeral ritual was held in New Delhi on the 23 Sept. 2008 after 800 Asian Openbill Stork died when a 200 year old Banyan tree they were roosting in, fell. Banyan trees are considered sacred by many farmers, and the storks are believed to be gaurdian angels of the trees.

Buddhist villagers in India's state of Assam were lead in prayers by monks at a monastery close to where the tree fell. Asian Openbill Storks are listed as endangered in India and this tree was home to 1500 storks. The incident is considered a bad omen by the local people. Source: IOL

Photo by Ranbir Mahapatra

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