Four peacocks have been found dead near Thalavaipuram in the district and it is suspected that could have been killed during poaching, officials said on Wednesday.

The decomposed carcasses of the national bird were found yesterday inside a dry well, police and forest department officials said, adding the plumes of two of the peacocks had been removed, leading to suspicions of poaching.

The carcasses were buried without post mortem, as they were in a decomposed state, they said, adding the birds would have died about a week ago.

The veterinary doctors said they wold give a report based on the nature of injuries suffered by the birds.

Referring to instances of villagers poisoning peacocks in order to protect their crop, officials said it was a major worry.