July’s monsoon showers brought much-needed relief to people, but for animals living in burrows, it meant being forced out of their homes. As water levels rose, our Rapid Response Units across different states saw a surge in rescue calls. Most of these were for reptiles like snakes, but we helped many other animals too. Our teams worked through heavy rains, slippery roads, and tough conditions to reach animals in need. Whether it’s climbing into narrow spaces or responding to emergencies late at night, the teams remain ready to risk challenges that come their way. Rescues were also made possible thanks to alert and responsible citizens who reached out to us right on time.
Our expert rescuers gently handle the animals in distress as they take them for medical examination before releasing them back into the wild. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/ Kunal Malhotra]
Each rescue call we received this month was a reminder of how awareness and right intentions can save lives. Here are some of the rescue stories that serve as powerful examples of compassion in action.
Delhi-NCR
In the national capital, our team was kept busy throughout July. One of the rescues took place at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Tikri Khurd Village. A teacher spotted a monitor lizard wandering inside the school and once it entered the washroom, quickly locked it inside. Without wasting any team, he informed our Rapid Response Unit that rushed to the spot.
A monitor lizard found its way to a school in Delhi’s Tikri Khurd Village. [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
The sight of such a reptile in a school could have caused panic, but thanks to the teacher’s alertness and subsequent wisdom, the situation was handled calmly. Our team carefully rescued the large lizard, making sure neither the animal nor the students were harmed. After a quick health check-up, the monitor lizard was released back into a safe natural habitat, away from human disturbance.
In all, monsoons forced a total of 71 reptiles out of their natural habitats. Along with them, 112 avian species and 29 mammals were rescued by our team of experts.
Agra, Uttar Pradesh
In Agra, the Rapid Response Unit was on the move to rescue animals from challenging situations. One such situation was when a distressed nilgai was discovered trapped in an open borewell.
In an unusual and dangerous occurrence, a nilgai fell into a borewell in Agra. [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
Upon receiving the alert, our team immediately reached the site and launched a well-coordinated operation to safely help the animal in need. After two hours of careful effort, the nilgai was successfully rescued, medically assessed, and eventually released back into the wild.
Our team in Agra remained on their toes throughout the month, responding to various wildlife emergencies. In total, 26 mammals, 38 birds, and 90 reptiles were rescued from different parts of the city and surrounding areas.
Vadodara, Gujarat
In Vadodara, the monsoon brought with it a unique rescue for our team. A juvenile marsh crocodile, measuring approximately 2.5 to 3 feet in length, was spotted in Sakariya village near Nimeta, about 25 km from the city. The young reptile had taken shelter in a depression originally dug by local residents for buffaloes to wallow in, which had filled up with water due to the rains. Recognising the urgency of the situation, our team sprang into action. To aid the rescue, a JCB machine was brought in to dig an adjacent pit and channel the water out of the depression.
Rainfall led to a man-made depression becoming a water body, making it an ideal refuge for a juvenile crocodile that had arrived into the urban landscape of Vadodara. [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
Given that marsh crocodiles often bury themselves in mud, the task required patience and caution. Two members of the team carefully entered the slushy water, using sticks and their feet to gently probe the area. After nearly four hours of meticulous effort, the crocodile was finally located and safely retrieved. Following standard protocols, it was released into a nearby canal, with the forest department duly informed.
Aside from this remarkable rescue, the team remained alert to how the monsoon was affecting local wildlife. A total of 10 mammals, 48 birds, and 59 reptiles were rescued from Vadodara and its surrounding areas in July.
Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)
In Jammu & Kashmir, the monsoon season once again brought our team’s rescue efforts towards reptiles that had reached closer to human settlements. One such case emerged from the Javarvan Range, where a Levantine viper snake had bitten a family’s cow. The following day, the same family’s dog began barking persistently near the cowshed, alerting them to the presence of the snake. Upon receiving the call, our Rapid Response Unit trekked uphill to reach the remote house nestled on higher ground. This area is known for frequent viper sightings during the rains, and our team was well-prepared for the task. The snake was carefully located and rescued without harm, then safely released into a suitable habitat, away from human habitation.
A Levantine viper was later found in the cowshed. [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
Our team in J&K rescued as many as 18 snakes in July, along with two black kites in total. Each rescue was a reminder of the delicate balance between people and wildlife in the region and the importance of coexistence, especially during the monsoon months.
This July, the rains brought many challenges for wild animals, but they also brought out the best in people. Thanks to the hard work of our Rapid Response Units and the support of caring citizens, many lives were saved. Every rescue, big or small, showed how much we can achieve when we choose kindness for wildlife and take action for their safety.
If you find a voiceless animal in distress in the following four regions, please inform Wildlife SOS’s 24-hour emergency rescue helpline:
Delhi-NCR – +91-9871963535
Agra & Mathura, Uttar Pradesh – +91-9917109666
Vadodara, Gujarat – +91-9825011117
Jammu & Kashmir – +91-7006692300 / +91-9419778280
Feature image: Kunal Malhotra/ Wildlife SOS
