Be it the dry and humid region of Gujarat in western India, or the cold snow-capped areas of Jammu & Kashmir in north India, when animals are in distress, the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Units brave all kinds of weather to lend animals a helping hand. Ready to respond to emergency calls on our hotlines, the rescue teams are always on the move. May was nothing short of eventful, and the rescuers were always on their toes with the sharp alertness of night watchmen. A rare reptile visit in a bustling market of India’s largest city, a heavy storm impacting flying denizens in the country’s capital and a snake visiting a hairdresser’s shop in a Himalayan city, our teams witnessed a flurry of interesting cases. Let’s lend an ear to the most fascinating ones that grabbed attention this month.
Delhi-NCR
To begin with, a rather unusual sight startled shopkeepers and passersby at Delhi’s bustling Kamla Nagar Market near Ghanta Ghar. An adult Indian flapshell turtle that had wandered into the busy area drawing a curious crowd, was rescued in time by our team of trained professionals. Amid confusion and well-meaning suggestions to release the turtle into the Yamuna River, one shopkeeper chose a more informed path and contacted our rescue helpline, and waited patiently until the team arrived. Our team reached the location promptly and rescued the turtle before it could come to harm. The turtle was carefully examined and found to be healthy. The reptile was later released into a suitable natural habitat.
The Delhi helpline remained busy with an overwhelming number of distress rescue calls following a massive storm at the beginning of the month. Many of them were from concerned citizens who spotted black kites in grave danger. From collapsed nests and grounded fledglings, to drenched adults unable to take flight, and birds trapped in fallen branches, the capital’s skyline bore witness to the havoc inflicted on its winged inhabitants. Amid the chaos, residents became rescue heroes, sparking a city-wide effort to save the stranded birds.
Amidst fallen trees, debris-scattered roads, and disrupted power lines, the most silent victims of this storm were the birds. Responding with urgency and compassion, Wildlife SOS rescuers mobilised across Delhi to conduct swift and safe rescues. Black kites were found in a weakened state, showing possible signs of distress, which left many unable to fly. Rescue operations were carried out in multiple locations, including Panchsheel Enclave, C.R Park and Greater Kailash, among other places. The organisation provided critical care to affected black kites at its rescue facility, working closely with veterinarians to ensure their safe recovery.
Agra-Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
A heartwarming rescue and release operation involving two hog deer — an adult male and a juvenile female — became the month’s highlight for the Agra team. The deer were rescued from Tarauli village in Govardhan, Mathura by Wildlife SOS and Uttar Pradesh Forest Department. The animals had wandered into the village while being chased by a pack of street dogs.
Both the mammals received prompt veterinary attention and supportive care. Their injuries were fortunately superficial, and they responded well to treatment during their two-day recovery period. Following thorough health evaluations, the two hog deer were returned to their natural habitat in a secure forested area.
Vadodara, Gujarat
The rescue team members in Vadodara were kept busy, with the phone ringing for multiple snake sightings on Sunpharma Road and nearby societies, including a venomous Russell’s viper snake from a garden. Other species included Indian rat snake, Indian wolf snake and trinket snake, to name a few. Most of the rescues took place from individual homes, gardens and housing societies.
Among these, a mention worthy incident was that of a four-foot-long spectacled (Indian) cobra, that was found injured in a godown in Undra. The godown was a facility for raw wood, and while the workers were at work shifting and loading the wood, the cobra got injured in the process. Timely intervention from our Rapid Response Unit proved to be crucial as the cobra suffered a spinal injury. The rescuer safely extricated the snake and handed the reptile over to the forest department veterinarian for immediate treatment.
Jammu & Kashmir
Due to drastic changes in the seasonal cycle, the overall climate pattern is getting affected in Kashmir. The transitioning season of Spring is almost non-existent, while there is a change from extremely cold weather to a hot one. This sudden onset of summer and the abrupt temperature difference are also why there was a sudden appearance of snakes. Snakes in Kashmir are most active in the summer, and one of the main reasons for their increased activity is that this particular time coincides with their mating season.
Combining these factors, it is clear that snake rescues dominated the month in Jammu & Kashmir. Among them were two separate rescues, carried out from the same chicken coop in Budgam. In the first instance, a five-foot-long Indian rat snake was found entangled in the coop’s netting, visibly exhausted and struggling to breathe. The rescue team, equipped with specialised tools, gently cut through the mesh to safely release the distressed reptile. In a surprising follow-up rescue, another rat snake was discovered trapped in the same coop just days later.
Every month, we receive hundreds of calls regarding distressed animals trapped in urban areas. Wildlife SOS operates 24×7 emergency rescue helplines in four regions:
Delhi-NCR – +91-9871963535
Agra & Mathura in Uttar Pradesh – +91-9917109666
Vadodara, Gujarat – +91-9825011117
Jammu & Kashmir – +91-7006692300, +91-9419778280
If you come across any wild animal in distress, alert our rescue teams on these numbers as soon as possible.
Feature image: Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak
