Communication is the first step towards coexistence. To protect our natural world, not only do we need to understand the intricate balance between human habitats and wildlife ecosystems, but we must also actively engage with the communities. This engagement requires a persistent conversation, a continuous flow of education as well as growing awareness amongst the public. This is where Wildlife SOS steps in, leading a series of outreach programmes across India to foster this understanding. Wildlife SOS has facilitated numerous workshops to guide students, corporate professionals and legal experts on wildlife conservation. Here is a glimpse of the events that took place between April and June 2026.
Sessions in the Valleys of Jammu & Kashmir
The team at Dachigam Rescue Centre led extensive educational outreach from April to June. Field expert Ms. Aaliya Mir, Centre In-charge of Wildlife SOS in Jammu & Kashmir, along with the rest of the Wildlife SOS team members, conducted over 40 sessions. Key events included an April 29 session where 270 participants from Peace School in Nagam, of which 250 were students, learned about biodiversity while taking a tour of the centre. Another impactful engagement was conducted on May 24 with the students of Lyceum International School during a centre tour focussing on the Himalayan (Asiatic) black bear, with 250 students present in attendance. Further, on June 6, a well-coordinated session engaged 60 students of Government Degree College (GDC), Shopian.
For the purpose of community outreach, the Wildlife SOS team also expanded its awareness programmes to support local farmers, the Indian Army, and frontline staff of the wildlife and forest protection department.
Between April and May, 200 Indian Army personnel in Kupwara were trained on wildlife rescues and garbage management. Furthermore, on May 1, 45 local farmers and army personnel were guided on mitigating human-wildlife conflict. On May 8, a capacity building programme was conducted for 120 frontline wildlife staff and forest protection department at Shikargah, Pulwama.
During all sessions this quarter, oral briefings and facility tours helped students gain a profound understanding of the region’s unique biodiversity. Interactions focussed majorly on the ecology, wildlife behaviour of species like hangul, snakes and leopards found in Kashmir, and rescue stories of Himalayan black and brown bears. At the same time, the team’s various knowledge and awareness meetings with farmers, communities, forest officials and army officers on the issue of persisting human-wildlife conflict brought significant factors to the forefront.
Merchandise Display in Delhi
The Flea Social is a cultural fair held in major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai and Jodhpur, and provides a platform to hold exhibitions, conduct interesting workshops and sell unique and creative work by local creators and organisations. This year, the event took place in Delhi from May 21 to 26 and May 27 to 31, 2026 at the Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden and Nexus Select City walk, Saket respectively, and from June 17 to 21 in Nexus Select City walk, Saket. Wildlife SOS had the opportunity to put up its merchandise stall at these locations, bringing in people from different walks of life to explore exclusively designed t-shirts, notebooks and mugs among many more. Accompanying these were wonderful keyrings, wall hangings and magnets that have been handcrafted by Kalandar women as part of our Tribal Rehabilitation Programme.
Tackling Wildlife Crime in Mathura
On June 6, Wildlife SOS organised the 3rd Workshop on ‘Wildlife Crime and Forfeiture of Crime Proceeds Accumulated from Wildlife Crime’ at Hindustan College of Science and Technology in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Inaugurated by Justice Satya Veer Singh of the Allahabad High Court, this one-day event brought together judges from the Allahabad, Agra, and Mathura divisions, along with police officials, forest officers, prosecutors, and senior advocates. Wildlife SOS Co-founder and CEO Mr. Kartick Satyanarayan presented compelling field rescue case studies, while Mr. Deepak Chauhan, Joint Director of the Enforcement Directorate, mapped out how financial crime frameworks like the PMLA apply to wildlife trafficking networks. Ms. Geeta Seshamani, Co-founder and Secretary of Wildlife SOS, beautifully summarised the workshop as being a capacity building initiative that is helping to create a stronger understanding of wildlife laws, investigative procedures and prosecution strategies.
Highlighting the Urban Wildlife in Pune
In Maharashtra, the conversation revolved around corporate responsibility and urban wildlife. On June 1, in collaboration with the Maharashtra Forest Department, Wildlife SOS facilitated an awareness programme at the Mercedes-Benz facility in Chakan, Pune. Led by Mr. Mahendra Dhore, Centre Head of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre, this interactive session engaged 100 employees and provided them with the practical conflict prevention and mitigation measures, as well as the safety precautions.
Youth Action in Bengaluru
A series of engaging activities was led by Wildlife SOS Education Officer Mr. Pranav Pradeep across Karnataka’s capital city in the second quarter of the year. The first initiative was held on April 22 at Neev Academy, where 60 students gathered to learn about the disastrous impact of plastic pollution on wildlife and ecosystems. Following the session, the students participated in a drawing and colouring activity around the theme of plastic pollution and environmental conservation.
June saw another wave of educational campaigns both for public and school children. To initiate the celebration of World Environment Day, Mr. Pranav Pradeep addressed over 200 students from grades 1 to 8 of Royal Public School on June 4. His engaging awareness programme connected students with environmental health and wildlife survival.
On June 19, another session was conducted at Christ University, engaging 80 first-year students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science. An engaging discussion was held involving the causes and consequences of human-sloth bear conflict, highlighting the Wildlife SOS Nilgiris Conservation Project, and Wildlife SOS’s ongoing efforts to study and protect sloth bear populations in the region. A debate session was also conducted on human-wildlife conflict encouraging the students to engage in critical thinking.
June 27 marked another day for an enriching eco-club discussion that took place at Shri Sharada Devi School that addressed the global leopard species and the critical rehabilitation work being carried out at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre.
The month ended with a heartwarming session at the SK Public School on June 30. As many as 80 kids from grades 2 to 8 were educated on the threats faced by elephants and the conservation steps being taken to give them the life they deserve. The students also joined in to celebrate the rescue anniversary of our beloved resident elephant Chanchal during the session.
Through every interaction, Wildlife SOS continues to bridge the gap between humans and the wild, building a safer world for animals everywhere. Communication is key to wildlife conservation. Initiatives for this remain incomplete if interactive, engaging and informative sessions aren’t followed by conversations on awareness and the commitment to safeguard the animal residents we share our planet with.
Want to know more about wildlife and make a real impact for their protection? Wildlife SOS would love to collaborate with your school, university, or workplace. Reach out to us at [email protected] to host an awareness and outreach programme and help spread the significance of wildlife conservation.
Feature Image: Akash Dolas/ Wildlife SOS
