Every day, Wildlife SOS receives calls from concerned citizens who sincerely wish to save an animal in distress. The intention is compassionate, and deeply appreciated. But sometimes, what pushes many to call a rescue helpline is the emotional concern they have for the animal that may not need the rescue.
In the wild, survival is the primary concern for wildlife. Since human activities have engulfed natural habitats, wildlife that has crossed invisible borders seeks to do the very same in a different environment. By seeking shelter, food and strategies to escape danger, animals are striving to adapt to the newer surroundings. However, we as humans are lagging behind when it comes to understanding animal behaviour, especially the ones that can now be unexpectedly spotted in neighbourhoods. Ignorance often leads to unnecessary interventions, causing stress to both humans and wildlife in concern.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common yet mistaken reactions we tend to make about animals that prompt us to report emergency rescue situations. Surprisingly, if we take a moment to understand the situation better, human intervention can entirely be avoided.
1. “If a baby animal is alone, it needs rescuing”
It’s a scene that tugs at the heart – seeing an infant animal, seemingly abandoned and vulnerable.
But in many cases, the mother is closer than you think. Species like deer, birds, and even primates often leave their young hidden while they forage for food. This is a natural survival strategy to avoid attracting predators. Human intervention can actually hinder the mother from returning.
Many young animals, just like this Nilgai calf, are not abandoned, they are left alone temporarily as the mother seeks food, a crucial aspect of survival. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Vineet Singh]
What to do instead: Observe from a distance. Only if the animal appears injured, visibly weak, or has been alone for an extended period, should intervention be considered. In case of baby birds, one should be aware of which stage of growth the chick has reached to know if it requires a rescue:
[Infographic © Wildlife SOS/Sneha Parul]
2. “All snakes are dangerous and must be removed”
Snakes often evoke fear, but the reality is far less alarming.
India is home to over 300 species of snakes, and only a small fraction are venomous. Most snakes avoid human interaction and play a crucial role in controlling rodent populations. Knowing more about snake species makes them fascinating instead of fearful.
Killing or unnecessarily relocating snakes disrupts local ecosystems and can even increase pest problems.
What to do instead: Snakes usually emerge out of their holes and burrows either when summer is at its peak (and coincides with their breeding season) or during monsoons, when their homes are flooded. It is important to know when the snake is in need of a helping hand. In case you spot a snake slithering on the street, it’s best to avoid any kind of intervention as it may be making its way towards its natural shelter. However, if a snake has entered your home, maintain a safe distance and call trained rescuers.
Know the Big 4 of India! [Infographic © Wildlife SOS/Sneha Parul]
3. “Rescued animals can be kept as pets”
It’s easy to form an emotional bond with a rescued animal. But wildlife is not meant to be “domesticated” and live in human homes. Keeping wild animals as pets is not only harmful to their physical and psychological well-being, but also illegal under laws like the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Wild animals have specialised diets, behaviours, and environmental needs that cannot be replicated in captivity.
What to do instead: Ensure reaching out to authorised organisations or forest officials for rescues of a wild animal sighted in the neighbourhood, as they will release the animal safely back into the wild once it recovers from any injury it has sustained.
Freedom is their future. Animals rescued by Wildlife SOS from urban cities are released back into suitable habitats of the wild, where they belong. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/ Akash Dolas]
4. “Animals enter homes to attack humans”
When wildlife enters human spaces, it naturally raises an alarm. Sudden encounters are marked with fear, both for people and the animal, which more often than not, results in chaotic conditions. But if one pauses to understand why the animal has made its appearance, they would know that their target isn’t really human beings.
Animals tend to wander into human settlements due to habitat loss because of urban expansion, in search of food and water. They are usually trying to find a meal, and a way out or away from human beings. It’s important to note that they can be as afraid of us as most of us are of them, and are not looking for a fight or conflict to take place.
What to do instead: Stay calm, keep a safe distance, and resist the urge to drive away the animal on your own. Wild animals that wander into human-dominated areas are often disoriented. Any sudden gesture by humans can be taken as a threat, leading to a reaction that is defensive, rather than aggressive, another tactic to survive. Giving the animal space and time can often be the most effective response. If the situation escalates, the animal appears injured, or it becomes clear that it cannot safely exit the area on its own, seek help from trained wildlife rescue professionals.
Rarely seen in cities, species like leopards, civets, and snakes are often feared because their natural behaviours are not widely understood. [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
5. “Relocation solves the problem”
Relocating an animal might seem like a quick fix, however, it’s a bad idea for a solution.
Animals are deeply connected to their home ranges. Moving them to unfamiliar territories can lead to stress, difficulty finding food, territorial conflicts with other native species, or even death. In many cases, it simply shifts the problem elsewhere rather than resolving it.
What to do instead: Allow trained experts to assess whether relocation is truly necessary. If so, let them carry out this process in the appropriate location professionally.
Rescue should not follow an ignorant relocation, as it may impact the species’ long-term survival. [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
Understanding When Wildlife Really Needs Help
Simple awareness and understanding of animal behaviour is often the first step towards coexistence. At Wildlife SOS, some rescue calls turn out to be for animals that were never truly in danger to begin with. While every call comes from a place of concern, unnecessary intervention can sometimes cause more stress to wildlife, and divert urgent attention from animals that genuinely need medical care or rescue.
If you encounter wildlife, pause and think before acting. In many situations, the best thing you can do is reach out to professionals, explain the situation, and ask for guidance on what to do next rather than attempting a rescue yourself.
Knowledge is one of the most effective tools for coexistence. Whether you live near forests, agricultural landscapes, or urban areas frequented by wildlife, familiarising yourself with the species in your region and understanding how to respond safely during encounters can help reduce conflict, unnecessary rescues, and stress for the animals involved.
Sometimes, helping uninjured wildlife found in urban surroundings begins with patience and observation, not immediate action. [Photo © Wildlife SOS]
If you come across an animal in genuine distress, such as being a victim of vehicle accidents, with sudden immobility or with an injury, contact wildlife conservation NGOs or forest departments immediately. Your awareness could save a life, but knowing when to step in is just as important as wanting to help.
Wildlife SOS runs emergency helplines in the following areas. You can always reach out to our trained professionals here:
Delhi-NCR: +91-9871963535
Agra, Uttar Pradesh: +91-9917109666
Vadodara, Gujarat: +91-9825011117
Jammu & Kashmir: +91-7006692300
Feature image: Wildlife SOS
