In June, the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Units continued their vital work across India, tackling urgent rescues and situations in Delhi, Vadodara, Agra, and Jammu & Kashmir. Each region presented its unique set of challenges, and our teams stepped up with dedication and expertise, saving a total of 318 animals in the month. Here’s a roundup of notable rescues from June:
Delhi-NCR
As northern India grappled with severe heat waves in the month of June, Wildlife SOS was at the forefront to mitigate the impact of the increasing temperatures on wild animals.
In a dramatic rescue amid the ongoing heatwave in June, Wildlife SOS responded to a call from the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi. The distress call reported an extremely dehydrated rhesus macaque found on the premises.
The 1-year-old male macaque was discovered suffering from hyperthermia (high body temperature), and was showing signs of dullness and laboured breathing. The Wildlife SOS team acted swiftly, transporting the macaque to our treatment facility where he received intravenous fluids, multivitamin therapy, and oral rehydration salts. Thanks to the rapid intervention and dedicated care by our veterinary team, the macaque had shown marked improvement in its condition. After a few days of observation, the macaque was released in its natural habitat.
Vadodara, Gujarat
In Vadodara, a surprising and somewhat startling rescue unfolded when a common trinket snake was found stranded under the seat of a bike on Sun Pharma Road. The discovery was made by a rider who, concerned for the snake’s safety, contacted the Wildlife SOS-GSPCA emergency helpline.
The snake, a 4-foot-long common trinket, had sought refuge from the intense heat below the bike seat. Our rescue team, equipped and experienced, quickly arrived at the scene. After assessing the snake’s health and ensuring it was unharmed, the team released it back into a nearby natural habitat.
Agra, Uttar Pradesh
In a remarkable rescue operation in Agra, the Wildlife SOS team encountered a nearly 10-foot-long Indian rock python at a residential society in Astha City, Runakta. The giant python was found in a drain, leading to immediate concern among the residents.
Our team arrived at the scene to a mix of awe and anxiety from the community. They carefully extricated the python from the drain and transported it to a safe location, where it was kept under medical observation by the expert veterinary team of Wildlife SOS before being released back into the wild. This operation not only resolved a potential human-reptile conflict, but also highlighted the difficulties faced by reptiles seeking cooler spots during extreme heat waves.
The Indian rock python, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is a species that benefits greatly from conservation efforts.
Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Unprecedented climate change has affected animals all over the world, and in Jammu & Kashmir, there has been a steady increase in the number of reptile sightings. As the union territory observed higher temperatures, the Wildlife SOS’s emergency rescue helpline in Jammu & Kashmir started receiving multiple snake rescue calls from the month of March itself.
In June, the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit focused on relocating various species of snakes that ventured into human-populated areas. Among the rescues were 14 Indian rat snakes, 4 Himalayan trinkets, 1 Eastern cliff racer snake and 2 Levantine vipers. Additionally, the region also saw rescue and release operations of 1 black kite and 2 egrets, underscoring the range of wildlife care needed in this region.
For any wildlife emergencies, remember that Wildlife SOS’s Rapid Response Units are available and responsive 24×7 across the following regions:
– Delhi NCR: +91 9871963535
– Agra, Uttar Pradesh: +91 9917109666
– Vadodara, Gujarat: +91 9825011117
– Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir: +91 7006692300, +91 9419778280
