While monsoon season carried on in some locations and autumn took over the rest, Wildlife SOS rescue teams in September across India continued their tireless mission to protect, heal, and return animals to safety. Each call to our emergency helpline set another swift rescue in motion by our Rapid Response Units that carried with them the strength of hope to save the animals in distress. Their efforts serve as a gentle reminder that while seasons may shift, compassion for wildlife remains steady.

From crocodiles displaced by heavy rains in Vadodara to a nilgai calf abandoned in Agra’s farmlands, September was a month of challenging rescues, timely interventions, and strengthening bonds between people and wildlife. 

DELHI-NCR

An extraordinary sighting brought a routine morning at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station to a halt when a black kite (Milvus migrans) was spotted struggling on the railway tracks. The station control room quickly reached out to the Wildlife SOS 24×7 helpline, alerting our Delhi Rapid Response Unit.

Upon arrival, our rescue team acted with utmost precaution by carefully descending onto the tracks to approach the bird. The kite was found with an injured left wing that had rendered it immobile, which led our unit to transfer the bird to the Wildlife SOS Transit Facility for treatment. Though the incident temporarily halted train operations and the morning rush, it also reflected a rare moment where people paused in empathy so that a life in peril could be saved.

The black kite was given careful treatment for its wing injury so that it could be safely released once it is fit to take flight again.  

As many as 77 distressed birds were rescued by the Delhi-NCR team in September. Along with them were 31 mammals and 75 reptiles that were saved, marking how active collaboration with concerned citizens across the bustling capital is helping urban wildlife.

AGRA, UTTAR PRADESH

A gentle cry from an open farmland in Kiraoli, Agra, led to the discovery of a female nilgai calf, barely ten days old, separated from her mother and left to fend for herself. Local farmers immediately informed the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, which contacted Wildlife SOS for assistance.

Our trained rescue team reached the site, securing the frail calf and transporting her to the Wildlife SOS Transit Facility for urgent care. Though uninjured, her young age made her extremely vulnerable, and she was therefore provided with a nutrient-rich milk formula every three hours to sustain her needs.

Thanks to the collaborative effort between villagers, the forest department, and Wildlife SOS, the young antelope now has a second chance at life, growing stronger each day under expert veterinary supervision.

Throughout September, the Agra Rapid Response Unit rescued 54 mammals, 26 birds, and a whopping number of 118 reptiles that included spectacled cobras and rat snakes. Each rescue tells the story of how compassion, when put into action, can ensure safety for wildlife in urban locales.

VADODARA, GUJARAT

As heavy rainfall flooded parts of Vadodara this September, the Vishwamitri River, home to the native mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), overflowed into nearby neighbourhoods. The Wildlife SOS-GSPCA (Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) emergency helpline was abuzz with calls reporting displaced reptiles seeking refuge in residential areas, factory premises, and even under parked vehicles.

One such rescue took place at a residential complex near Seattle Green, Dhanavi Tarsali Road, where a baby crocodile, about two-feet-long, was discovered calmly resting in an artificial pond within the premises. The Wildlife SOS-GSPCA team, along with the Gujarat Forest Department, drained the pond carefully before securing the young reptile without causing it stress or injury. The crocodile was later safely relocated to its natural habitat.

A peculiar call was received on our helpline from Vadodara’s Manjalpur area. Residents had discovered an Indian chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus) clinging to the metal grill of their home. Neighbours soon became curious onlookers to this unusual sighting. The rescue team swiftly secured the chameleon and, after a health check, released it into a safe wild habitat. Not many are aware that the Indian chameleon is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as they are threatened by poaching, persistent use of pesticides in fields, and habitat loss. The rescue performed therefore is highly significant to conserve this species.

Beyond rescue operations, the Vadodara team also conducted an awareness programme to educate residents about safely coexisting with wildlife during the monsoon. Along with the Indian chameleon, 64 other reptiles including 4 mugger crocodiles, 2 monitor lizards, and 15 venomous and 43 non-venomous snakes were saved. Every rescue became proof that empathy and concern can flow stronger than any flood, displacing wildlife.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

September in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) saw 19 reptiles and 1 bird being saved. Among the snakes rescued were 13 rat snakes, 3 Himalayan trinkets, 2 Levantine vipers, and 1 Ladakh cliff racer, each carefully handled and relocated by our skilful Rapid Response Unit.

A Himalayan trinket was discovered in the high-security Gupkar area of Srinagar, a neighbourhood known for its VIP residences and administrative offices. The non-venomous snake had been spotted near the periphery fence of one of the office compounds, where it had likely taken shelter. Upon arrival, the team conducted a careful assessment and safely extricated the snake from the fencing area. After standard veterinary approval, it was released into a suitable natural habitat.

Another notable rescue unfolded in the Wagam area of Pulwama district, where a rat snake had slithered into a sport utility vehicle (SUV) passenger taxi. The driver first noticed some movement near the engine compartment, and within moments, panic led passengers scramble out. Wildlife SOS helpline was contacted for assistance, and the team arrived swiftly to save the snake from the cramped space. After a careful medical examination, the snake was released into a suitable habitat. Fearful riders were also informed that the Indian rat snake is non-venomous and widespread across the country.

Cases like these highlight how easily wildlife can wander into urban or restricted zones in search of warmth or refuge. Our team remains prepared round the clock to ensure the safe rescue and release of animals, keeping both wildlife and the public out of harm’s way. These efforts reflect Wildlife SOS’s ability to respond effectively across varied landscapes and to ensure that every animal is given a safe chance to live.

Every month, Wildlife SOS receives 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: Vineet Singh / Wildlife SOS