When Pankaj Shahi, owner of a mango orchard in Belghat area, saw a few bats lying dead in a nearby orchard on Tuesday, he informed the forest officials. By the time the forest team arrived, more bats dropped dead from the trees and the tally had gone up to 52.

Avanish Kumar, Divisional Forest Officer, said: "Three of the bat carcasses have been sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for examination to know the exact reason behind their death.