Wildlife SOS has run the only 24-hour animal rescue hotline in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), Agra, UP and in Vadodara, Gujarat for the past two decades. The City’s Police Control Room, Administration Department and Forest Department know that they can count on Wildlife SOS to respond efficiently and safely to calls for help and so they also divert any Wildlife Rescue calls they receive to our team in these respective cities.
Wildlife SOS addresses 300 reptile rescue calls every month. Our rescue team includes experienced snake handlers who are equipped with snake hooks and boxes to ensure that every reptile is rescued in the most efficient and professional manner ensuring minimal stress to the animal and the people involved.
Sometimes, snakes are rescued from abusive conditions. Most of these snakes have been illegally captured by Snake ‘Charmers’ and are routinely exploited to extort money from people. Some rescued snakes like cobras have badly infected mouths due to unsanitary and inhumane fang and venom gland removal procedures. Non-venomous snakes such as rat snakes, sand boas and even Indian rock pythons end up facing a similar fate; their mouths are stitched up to avoid any mishap while being handled.
If you are visiting India as a tourist, please avoid giving alms and encouraging snake charmers from using snakes for display and entertainment as this is an act of cruelty towards animals and promotes the illegal possession of protected wildlife species. Snake charming is illegal in India and is a punishable offence under Indian laws.
Be it a cobra in a toilet, a monitor lizard that has accidentally strayed into a school, a peacock poisoned by pesticide, a deer or antelope loose on a golf course or at the airport, our well trained team endeavors to safely rescue these animals, birds or reptiles from high risk situations.
When a rescued reptile is brought to our Wildlife Transit Facility for physical examination and if the reptile’s health is compromised, necessary veterinary care and treatment are provided. Thereafter arrangements are made and proper permissions are acquired from the concerned authorities to release the animal into a suitable habitat. The release is done in the presence of representatives of the Forest/Wildlife department.
Objective: To provide assistance and dedicated medical care to urban wildlife that often finds itself in the throes of conflict, or falls prey to accidents.
Scope: Increasing the reach of our helpline from Delhi, Agra and Gujarat; establishing dedicated teams for answering calls and tending to rescues, as and when necessary.
Location/Region: Delhi, Agra & Gujarat.
Milestones:
Timeline:
Project needs:
Obtaining more rescue vehicles, snake rescue equipment, transportation cages, safety gear for the rescue teams.
