As June brought soaring temperatures across much of the country, Wildlife SOS rescue teams responded to a surge in emergency calls from people encountering distressed wildlife in homes, workplaces and public spaces. Intense heat, shrinking water sources and expanding urban landscapes pushed many animals beyond their natural habitats, increasing the likelihood of human-wildlife encounters.
Blue rock pigeons are well adapted to urban environments, but extreme summer heat can leave them vulnerable to dehydration and exhaustion. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Ashray Thakur]
From dehydrated birds collapsing in city parks to snakes seeking refuge inside buildings, every rescue highlighted the growing challenges wildlife face during extreme weather. Throughout the month, Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Units worked tirelessly to ensure injured, displaced and stranded animals received timely care before being safely released whenever possible.
Delhi NCR
This June, Delhi’s relentless heatwave had a visible impact on urban wildlife. As temperatures climbed, birds were weakened by dehydration, reptiles searched for cooler shelters, and mammals wandered into residential neighbourhoods, resulting in a sharp rise in emergency rescue calls.
Responding around the clock, the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit attended 163 rescue calls during the month concerning 109 birds, 29 reptiles and 25 mammals. The numbers reflect the mounting pressure that prolonged heat places on wildlife living alongside expanding cities.
Amid June’s scorching temperatures, this yellow-footed green pigeon was rescued in a dehydrated state and provided timely care to help it regain its strength. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Ashray Thakur]
Birds formed the largest group of rescues, with black kites, pigeons, parakeets, peacocks, mynas and several other native species requiring assistance. Many were found exhausted after prolonged exposure to the heat, while others had fallen from nests or suffered injuries. Rescue teams provided immediate care before transferring them for treatment or rehabilitation wherever necessary.
Reptiles also featured prominently in June’s rescue operations. Rat snakes, cobras, royal snakes, red sand boas, monitor lizards and turtles were safely rescued from homes, offices and residential colonies. One notable rescue involved a black royal-headed snake found lodged in the window grill of a government school in the NCR, where the team safely secured and relocated it, preventing a potentially dangerous encounter for both the snake and the students and staff. Contrary to the misconception that reptiles deliberately enter residential areas to attack people, many of these animals enter urban spaces simply while searching for shade, water or prey. Their safe rescue and relocation help protect both the animals and the people who encounter them.
When a rat snake found its way into a housing area in Delhi, the Wildlife SOS team was called in to safely rescue and return it to the wild. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Ashray Thakur]
The rescue team also responded to emergencies involving mammals like monkeys, squirrels and civets, demonstrating the remarkable diversity of wildlife that continues to survive amidst increasing urbanisation in and around the National Capital Region.
Agra & Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
The intense summer heat brought a noticeable change in wildlife movement across Agra and Mathura. As temperatures soared, animals searching for cooler shelters increasingly found themselves in homes, offices, institutional campuses and other urban spaces, leading to a busy month for the Rapid Response Unit.
The trend was particularly evident among reptiles. Of the 118 wildlife rescues carried out by the team in June, 64 involved reptiles, followed by 33 birds and 21 mammals. Reptiles alone accounted for more than half of the month’s rescue calls.
Nocturnal and elusive, Asian palm civets often remain hidden during the day, making their unexpected appearance inside buildings all the more unusual. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Shresatha Pachori]
One of the month’s interesting rescues involved an Asian palm civet discovered inside the library of an LIC office in Agra. The nocturnal mammal had sought shelter inside the building, turning an ordinary workday into an unexpected wildlife encounter. The Wildlife SOS team was called to the location, safely rescued the civet and assessed it before releasing it into a suitable natural habitat.
Back where it belongs! After an unexpected stay inside an LIC office, this civet cat was safely released back into the wild. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Shresatha Pachori]
The rescue team also responded to multiple reptile emergencies during a single day of extreme heat. An Indian rat snake, monitor lizard and other reptiles were safely rescued from different locations after seeking refuge inside human-dominated spaces. Although such encounters often alarm residents, these species generally avoid confrontation and play an important role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling rodent and insect populations.
The high number of reptile rescues in June offered a clear glimpse into how extreme summer conditions can alter wildlife behaviour. With natural habitats becoming increasingly difficult to navigate and urban areas offering pockets of shade and shelter, encounters between people and wildlife can become more frequent.
Vadodara, Gujarat
The Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit in Vadodara remained busy through June, responding to a range of wildlife emergencies across the region. Birds accounted for the largest share of rescues during the month, with reptiles also making up a significant proportion of the cases.
Black Kites were among the birds requiring assistance from the Vadodara’s Rapid Response Unit during a month marked by high summer temperatures. [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
The team carried out 79 rescues during the month, including 45 bird rescues, which was the highest among all categories. Reptile rescues included 21 snakes, comprising 8 venomous and 13 non-venomous species, along with 4 monitor lizards and a chameleon. Mammal rescues included a monkey and a cat, while 4 raptors and 2 other animals also received assistance. The high number of bird rescues highlights the challenges faced by wildlife during the summer months. Reptile rescues, meanwhile, requiring trained rescuers to safely handle and relocate the animals.
These rescues reflected on the diverse wildlife that continues to share space with communities across Vadodara. By responding promptly to calls from concerned citizens, the Wildlife SOS team helped in reducing the human-wildlife conflict, while giving animals in distress a chance to return safely to their natural habitats.
Jammu & Kashmir
With warmer weather returning to the Kashmir Valley, the Wildlife SOS rescue team responded to a steady stream of calls involving reptiles and birds entering villages, orchards and residential areas.
The highest number of rescues involved 21 rat snakes, which are frequently encountered during the warmer months as they search for food and suitable shelter. Despite being non-venomous and beneficial for controlling rodent populations, these snakes are often mistaken for dangerous species, making timely rescue intervention especially important.
The team also rescued 9 black kites, several of which required assistance after suffering injuries or exhaustion. Additional rescues included 5 Himalayan trinket snakes, 4 Levantine vipers, and 3 Ladakh cliff racers, reflecting the region’s rich reptile diversity and the specialised expertise required to safely handle different species. In a particular case in Dachigam, a Levantine viper was found in a residential area, requiring attention by our Rapid Response Unit.Often misunderstood because of their venomous nature, Levantine vipers play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of their habitat. When they venture too close to human settlements, trained rescue teams can help resolve the encounter safely for both people and the snake.
Levantine Vipers are venomous snakes native to the region, making trained handling crucial when they enter areas inhabited by people. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Mradul Pathak]
Every rescue involved careful species identification, safe handling and release into appropriate habitats wherever possible. Beyond rescuing wildlife, the team also engaged with local communities, helping residents better understand the ecological importance of these animals and encouraging peaceful coexistence.
Behind every rescue is someone who chose compassion over fear. Whether reporting an exhausted bird, a snake sheltering inside a home or a frightened mammal trapped in an unfamiliar space, alert citizens play an essential role in helping Wildlife SOS respond quickly and effectively.
Wildlife SOS operates 24×7 emergency rescue helplines across multiple regions, responding to hundreds of wildlife emergencies every month with speed, expertise and care. If you encounter a wild animal in distress, contact our rescue teams immediately:
Delhi NCR: +91-9871963535
Agra & Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: +91-9917109666
Vadodara, Gujarat: +91-9825011117
Jammu & Kashmir: +91-7006692300, +91-9419778280
Timely reporting saves both human and wild lives.
You can also support our work by making a donation.
For more on our reptile rescue operations, join our Facebook group Wildlife SOS Reptiles.
Feature image: Shresatha Pachori/ Wildlife SOS
