Shocking data revealed that at least 717 birds hurt by kite string in August and were rescued by the Delhi Fire Services. The fire service personnel said that the rise in flying kites and use of corrosive Chinese thread (manjha) caused about three-fold increase in bird rescue. The firemen saved 717 birds till August 28. The number of cases increased to 717 from 222 in July. In the first five months, around 200 cases were reported. One of the oldest bird hospitals in Delhi, the Charity Bird Hospital at Chandni Chowk, received over 700 such cases between August 13 and August 15. Of this, over 200 could not be saved.