The month of May engulfed the whole of India in sweltering heat. This meant harsh living conditions not only for humans, but also for the animals that inhabit various urban spaces. The Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Units are always geared up to assist wildlife caught in situations of distress. During the summer season, our efforts have been focussed on rescuing dehydrated animals, especially birds, with a total of 193 avians rescued in the month of May.
Agra, Uttar Pradesh
The Rapid Response Unit in Agra rescued 41 heat-affected birds, of which 22 were black kites. The team also addressed calls concerning 28 reptiles that included Indian rock python, Bengal monitor lizard, mugger crocodile and Indian rat snake. Along with them, 28 sunstruck mammals were rescued, taking the total to 97 rescues made in the month of May.
A noteworthy joint operation between Wildlife SOS and the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department led to the rescue and release of a 7-foot-long mugger crocodile from Nagla Mansingh village in Jasrana, Firozabad. Villagers alerted the nearest forest department office after discovering the presence of a large crocodile in their midst. Upon receiving a call from the forest department, Wildlife SOS took swift action. The Rapid Response Unit, along with the forest department officials, carried out an hour-long rescue operation and carefully contained the crocodile in a secure cage. Shortly after conducting an on-site medical examination, the crocodile was safely released.
Delhi-NCR
The heat in Delhi peaked at a record-breaking temperature of 52.9°C in May. The hot weather poses a significant threat to urban wildlife, severely affecting a multitude of animals and birds seeking shade and water to cool down. The dire consequences of the weather were evident in the rising number of rescue calls concerning reptiles, birds and mammals that had become victims of the scorching heat.
Wildlife SOS rescued over 71 dehydrated birds from Delhi-NCR in May alone, which included black kites, parrots and blue rock pigeons. A significant number of rescued black kites were gravely impacted by hyperthermia — an overheating of the body — highlighting the severity of the heat-related challenges faced by birds.The team tended to birds showing various symptoms of laboured breathing, drooling and lethargy triggered by the extreme weather.
Along with avians, bats and squirrels affected by the heat were also provided aid. As many as 27 monkeys were found in weak conditions due to lack of water in their body.
Vadodara, Gujarat
In the month of May, our team in Vadodara rescued 32 reptiles from distress situations. This included 5 venomous and 18 non-venomous snakes, 2 monitor lizards and 7 turtles. Snake rescues have become frequent for our team in Gujarat, and requires the employment of skilful methods to retrieve them from unexpected locations such as electrical boxes, bike seats or engines of cars.
As many as 81 dehydrated birds were also cared for by the rescue team till they returned to a healthy state to be released. Along with birds, 21 mammals, including monkeys and squirrels, were rescued from the urban jungle. The use of nets is common in urban areas to safeguard houses, however, they often lead to the entrapment of monkeys. Our team rushed to rescue a monkey infant that was frightfully tangled in one of such nets. The infant had been unable to break free, and was provided instant medical aid. Along with nets, anthropogenic threats, vehicular accidents, electrical shocks from transformers pose constant threat to monkeys and other animals that share their space with humans in urban areas.
Wildlife SOS’s Rapid Response Unit in Gujarat also conducted 6 significant raids in May. The rescue team seized peculiar animal parts that are considered to be sought after for the practice of black magic. In three of the raids, the team got hold of 1 monkey tail, 2 wild boar teeth and 2 monkey legs. In another raid, the team retrieved 2 peacock legs from an area bordering Madhya Pradesh. Four leopard legs were seized from the Valsad district of Gujarat as well. Not just animal parts, 6 parrots and 6 tortoises were found alive and caged inside the premises of an old mansion in Vadodara in the sixth raid carried out in May.
Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)
The J&K Rapid Response Unit carried out 20 snake rescues in the month of May. This included 13 rat snakes, 3 Himalayan trinkets, 1 snakelet, 2 Levantine vipers and 1 Eastern cliff racer. In addition to this, the team rescued one black kite.
A late night call from a resident in the Bemina area near Srinagar had our team rush to the neighbourhood. A rat snake that had taken refuge in a truck had slithered into one of the shops, causing panic among the locals. Bearing the safety of the reptile as well as the people present there, our team executed the sensitive rescue operation. After careful examination, the rat snake was released back into the wilderness.
Wildlife SOS conducts numerous wild animal rescues monthly. Our Rapid Response Unit operates in key regions and can be contacted for immediate assistance:
Delhi NCR: +91 9871963535
Agra: +91 9917109666
Vadodara: +91 9825011117
Jammu & Kashmir: +91 7006692300, +91 9419778280
