Over 70 snakes, turtles and birds rescued from rain

MUMBAI: The animal welfare NGO, Plants and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS), has rescued around 44 birds and over 30 snakes, turtles and other animals in distress during the latest bout of heavy rain in Mumbai and Thane.

"Most birds build their nests on high trees in the beginning of this month. But with rapid devastation of their breeding habitats, most of them turn to the city trees to breed. This month alone we have rescued two to three birds every day on an average," said Nilesh Bhanage, founder of PAWS.

Most rescued birds had wing injuries or fractured legs. "Some of the birds were given first aid for their wing injuries, while some were treated for fractured legs and later hospitalized for rehabilitation," Bhanage said.

In the month of May — a breeding period for domestic birds like grey pigeons — 18 such species rescued while three crows, migratory birds like Indian Pitta also rescued and rehabilitated. Other species of birds include Eurasian Golden Oriole, Barn Owls, Hawk Cuckoo and Common Cuckoo.

In June — a breeding period for herons — over 27 birds have been rescued including 8 Cattle Egrets, Night Heron, Indian Pond Heron, Bulbul, Grey Pigeons and Crows.

Even snakes come out when their underground homes are flooded with rainwater. It is also breeding season for species of snakes like Buff-Stripped Keel Back. In May and June months, 11 snakes were rescued from Thakurli itself. Non-venomous species like Rat snakes, Buff-Stripped Keel Back snake, Sand Boa's and venomous species like Cobras and Russell's vipers rescued from houses, public toilets and society premises.

Other wildlife species include squirrels that fallen from trees, stranded turtles that land in trouble when lakes, ponds and other small water reservoirs are filled with water and over-flooded.

"After rescuing, the birds were given isolation in warm environment, treated by vets for injures and most of the birds were hospitalized in nearest bird hospitals, while the snakes were immediately relocated with due intimation to the forest department and after completing the official paperwork," said Sanchit More, a volunteer with PAWS.