Rescues From The Helpline – January 2025

March 17, 2025 | By Meghalok Giri
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Wildlife SOS’s Rapid Response Units operate tirelessly to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, rescuing distressed animals and ensuring their safe return to their natural habitat. The first month of the new year brought with it several calls on our 24×7 helplines that resulted in multiple rescue operations. From reptiles seeking shelter in urban spaces to injured mammals in need of urgent medical attention, our dedicated teams responded swiftly to situations reported by concerned citizens. 

Delhi-NCR

Urban expansion often forces wildlife into close proximity with human settlements, leading to an increase in conflict situations. One such incident occurred at the GRID India office in Delhi’s Katwaria Sarai, where an Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) took refuge inside a tissue dispenser machine. Responding promptly, the Wildlife SOS rapid rescue team carefully assessed the situation before safely extricating the frightened animal. A post-rescue health examination confirmed that the civet was unharmed, allowing for its timely release back into the wild.

Another significant rescue unfolded when the helpline received a call about an adult common sand boa sighted in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. Our trained rescuers successfully secured the non-venomous snake before releasing it into a suitable habitat.

Picture of a common sand boa
The sighting of a common sand boa took people in West Delhi’s neighbourhood by surprise, but the snake was safely handled by our skilled rescue team. [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
January proved to be an eventful month in Delhi, with our rapid rescue team rescuing 15 reptiles, including Indian cobras, common wolf snakes, common sand boas, a monitor lizard and an Indian rock python. Additionally, we provided a second chance at life to 34 mammals, including rhesus macaques, a nilgai, a bat, squirrels and civets. The avian rescues numbered 74, with species such as the Indian rock pigeon, Indian peafowl, barn owl, black ibis, and shikra among those saved.

Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Increasing awareness among citizens has led the Rapid Rescue Unit in Uttar Pradesh to respond to calls concerning animals in distress. The year began with a call from Renuka Dham in Runkata regarding an injured golden jackal found unconscious on the roadside. It was suspected that the jackal had been hit by a moving vehicle, leaving its hindlegs paralysed. Our rescue team swiftly transported the distressed animal to our treatment facility, where it was under medical supervision. The jackal responded to the care and recovered in a week, and once it was declared fit, it was successfully released back into the wild.

Picture of a Golden Jackal
Found unconscious on the roadside, this golden jackal was rescued just in time, thanks to the concerned call received by our team on the helpline.  [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
January’s extreme winter conditions in northern India significantly impacted reptile activity. As temperatures dropped, snakes sought refuge in warm spaces, often leading to unexpected encounters with humans. One such case took place at Sachdeva College, Mathura, where an 8-foot-long Indian rock python was discovered during construction work. Our team carefully secured the massive reptile and later safely released it into a natural habitat.

8 Foot long indian rock python
This 8-foot-long Indian rock python was rescued and relocated by our expert team in Agra, dispelling fear among people and ensuring the safety of the non-venomous snake. [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
In all, the Rapid Rescue Unit conducted 9 reptile rescues in the month of January, which included 2 Indian rock pythons, 3 checkered keelbacks, a red sand boa, an Indian rat snake, a softshell turtle, and a Bengal monitor lizard as well. Along with these, 26 birds were saved as well, of which 12 were Indian peafowls. Among the 45 rescued mammals were rhesus macaques, Indian grey langurs, a golden jackal, bats, and nilgais.

Jammu & Kashmir

As the cold intensified across Kashmir, many animals reduced their activity, leading to a slight decline in rescue calls. However, our J&K rescue team remained active, ready to address any urgent situation.

A call concerning a common wolf snakelet came in from Srinagar’s Parimpora Mandi, a major hub where cargo and goods vehicles from across the country arrive to unload. With shipments coming from various regions, reptiles sometimes inadvertently crawl into the vehicles and are often discovered during the unloading. The Rapid Response Unit, led by Ms. Aaliya Mir, Education Officer & Programme Head at Wildlife SOS in Jammu & Kashmir, swiftly rescued the snakelet and safely released it in its suitable habitat.

Aaliya Mir rescuing a common wolf snake
The common wolf snake (Lycodon aulicus) is a non-venomous species known for its striking resemblance to venomous kraits, which is why this harmless snake often falls victim to misidentification and conflict.  [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
Along with this rescue of a common wolf snake, the Rapid Response Unit, came to the aid of 1 barn owl and 3 black kites during the month of January as well.

Vadodara, Gujarat

In western India, the Wildlife SOS-GSPCA (Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) team worked relentlessly to handle a surge in bird rescue calls. January marks the celebration of Makar Sankranti, a festival during which bird casualties are at its peak due to rampant kite-flying. The team rescued 149 birds in this month that primarily included those injured due to sharp glass-coated strings (manjha) of the kites.

The mugger crocodile, a vital freshwater predator, was safely relocated after being found in a human settlement in Gujarat. [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
Additionally, 21 reptiles were rescued, including monitor lizards, crocodiles, tortoises, and snake species that included 10 non-venomous and 8 venomous snakes. Each rescue was carried out with expertise, and the reptiles were relocated safely. One of the most notable rescues involved a 7-foot-long mugger crocodile found inside Siddharth Bungalows on Sama-Savali Road. The team ensured the safe capture and relocation of the reptile back to its natural aquatic habitat. A total number of 25 mammals including rhesus macaque, cats, dogs and a squirrel were also rescued. 

January also saw a significant anti-trafficking effort in Vadodara where the Wildlife SOS-GSPCA team, in collaboration with the Gujarat Forest Department, conducted a covert operation to bust an illegal wildlife trade. Operating undercover, the team posed as potential buyers to strike a deal with a trafficker involved in the sale of monitor lizard hemipenes, which are often falsely marketed as the hatha jodi plant that is believed to bring prosperity. 

Raids and rescues reflect the ongoing efforts of Wildlife SOS to protect vulnerable wildlife. As per our protocol, all animals saved from human populated spaces are medically examined by our veterinarians before they are safely released back to their natural habitats. To ensure timely response in case you spot wildlife in distress, reach out to Wildlife SOS that operates 24×7 emergency rescue helplines across four regions:

Delhi-NCR – +91-9871963535

Agra, Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) – +91-9917109666

Vadodara (Gujarat) – +91-9825011117

Jammu & Kashmir – +91-7006692300, +91-9419778280

Infographic (c) Wildlife SOS

 

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Hotline Number | हॉटलाइन नंबर

Delhi NCT Region +91-9871963535
Agra Region (UP) +91-9917109666
Vadodra Region +91-9825011117
J&K Region +91 7006692300
+91 9419778280