Forest dept readies first-response teams to aid wildlife rescue

Since locals are in close proximity, the objective aims at reducing time taken, to reach distressed animals

The forest department is preparing first-response teams for wildlife rescue and its rehabilitation. The programme aims to train the forest officials, locals and nongovernmental organisations (NGO) working for the welfare of animals for external support.

“Many times there are emergency calls — during crises — where the forest guards or officials cannot reach immediately due to distances or the odd times when incidents are reported,” said Vivek Khandekar, chief conservator of forests.

Khandekar added that a few volunteers at every village are being trained to take the initial steps to be taken during an incident. He cited an example for a better understanding of the objective — that of a leopard being trapped in a well. “In such cases, the locals usually call the forest officials. However, we train some people in the village who ensure the crowd is managed, the leopard is given a safety board to float on water and avoid exhaustion,” Khandekar said.

Such preliminary steps, he believes, do not end up becoming traumatic for the animals and bring locals together in a cooperation effort. “In a recent case, the locals had already rescued a leopard by the time the forest officials arrived and put it to safety,” he added.

Khandekar said that forest officials are also trained to work in tandem with the locals and NGOs. “The forest department has trained about 200 such personnel across its jurisdiction so far. It has also tied up with seven local NGOs,” he added.

The primary benefit of such training, according to veterinary doctor at Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre Ajay Deshmukh, is the reduction of response time. “The animal in distress can be reached quickly,” he said, adding, “The locals often tend to be more responsive towards their fellow residents than officials. Apart from Junnar, the teams are also being trained in Chakan, Khed, Shirur, Ghodegaon and Otur that are known as conflict zones.”

“The NGOs can be of help due to their existing work and basic knowledge of handling animals. The volunteers can be first-hand responders to attend any crisis,” said A Srilakshmi, deputy conservator of forests.

Srilakshmi said that a call was received recently late at night when a civet entered a house and the locals could not take any measures. “The forest guards were also not available which is when a team of NGO volunteers reached the spot and rescued the animal,” she added.

Neha Panchamiya, Founder and President, RESQ Charitable Trust said that they get rescue calls for all kinds of birds, orphaned or injured monkeys, reptiles and several other mammals and reptiles. “With snaked, they are either in a conflict situation where they may have ventured into human habitat and need to be safely released in a suitable place, or they are injured and need medical help. We also conduct training programs for range forest officers and the forest guards so that together, we can follow best practices in wildlife rescue on field.”