PfA Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre

Celebrations bring people together. They fill our homes and neighbourhoods with colour, light, music and excitement. But amid the festivities, there is something we often overlook: the countless wild animals that share our urban spaces. For them, loud explosions, smoke and excessive lighting can turn an otherwise ordinary night into a frightening and potentially dangerous experience. Bengaluru is home to countless birds, bats, squirrels, owls, reptiles and other wild animals. Many live in trees, gardens, lakeside vegetation and even the smallest patches of green within residential neighbourhoods. While we may associate firecrackers with excitement and celebration, the sudden bursts of sound, bright flashes and smoke can have very different consequences for the animals around us. Can we celebrate without making our surroundings unsafe for the wildlife we share our city with? Absolutely. And it begins with a little awareness and a few thoughtful choices. A Celebration for Us, a Disturban...

As the monsoon recedes and the city transitions towards winter, Bengaluru’s birdlife begins to change. But while some birds arrive, others simply change their routines, following the food, water and shelter they need to survive. Have you noticed that the birds around your neighbourhood seem a little different as the seasons change? Perhaps a familiar call has become less frequent, a lake has welcomed new visitors, or a bird you haven't seen in months has suddenly appeared in your garden. October is a fascinating time to observe Bengaluru’s birds. As the monsoon draws to a close, the city’s landscapes begin to change, influencing where birds feed, rest, nest and seek shelter. For some, this is a time of movement. For others, it is simply a change in routine. But where do Bengaluru’s urban birds go when the seasons change? Not Every Bird Leaves When we think of seasonal bird movement, migration often comes to mind. We imagine birds travelling thousands of kilometres across continent...

For much of Bengaluru, the end of the monsoon signals a change in routine. The clouds begin to thin, the rains become less frequent, puddles slowly disappear, and the city starts drying out. But for Bengaluru’s wildlife, October is not simply the end of the rainy season. It is a period of adjustment. After months of rain, the city’s trees, lakes, gardens, vacant plots and other green spaces have undergone their own transformation. Water and food availability begin to change, vegetation starts responding to the drier conditions, and animals that depend on these resources must adapt once again. A city that changes with the seasons. We often think of Bengaluru as a city that looks much the same throughout the year. But look a little closer and the seasonal changes are everywhere. During the monsoon, rainwater collects in temporary pools and low-lying areas. Vegetation grows rapidly, insects become abundant, and many species find favourable conditions for feeding and breeding. As October p...

  Look at a large tree in Bengaluru and you might see shade. A bird sees a nesting site. A squirrel sees a highway. A bat sees a place to roost. An insect sees food and shelter. And a tree cavity may be home to an owl, reptile or an entire community of tiny organisms that most of us will never notice. One tree can support dozens of lives. That is why when we talk about protecting Bengaluru's urban wildlife, we also need to talk about the trees that make the city liveable for them. A Tree Is More Than a Tree We often measure trees by their height, age or canopy. Wildlife experiences them differently. A mature tree can provide food, nesting sites, shelter from extreme weather, places to raise young and routes for animals moving through the city. Its flowers attract insects. Its fruits feed birds and mammals. Its branches provide perches. Its bark supports insects and other small organisms. Its hollows can become homes. Its canopy can connect one green space to another. To wildlife, a...

  When Bengaluru goes to sleep, its wildlife doesn't. As traffic thins, offices empty and apartment windows begin to go dark, another side of the city comes alive. Bats take flight, owls begin hunting, nightjars call from quiet patches of vegetation, and snakes move through gardens and open spaces. For most of us, this is a world we rarely see. But Bengaluru has a night shift of its own—and it is made up of some of the city's most fascinating wild residents. A Different Bengaluru After Sunset We tend to think of urban wildlife as the birds we see from our balconies or the squirrels running across trees during the day. But many species have adapted to a very different schedule. For nocturnal animals, the darkness offers opportunities that daylight doesn't. There is less human activity, fewer visual disturbances and, for some species, greater access to food. Some animals are completely nocturnal, while others are most active during the early morning or evening. That means tha...

  When the monsoon arrives in Bengaluru, the city changes in ways we can see—and many more that we can hear. Puddles appear, lakes fill, gardens come alive, and after sunset, a familiar chorus begins from drains, ponds, gardens and patches of green: the calls of frogs. For many people, frogs are simply a sign that the rains have arrived. But these small amphibians play a much bigger role in keeping urban ecosystems healthy. From controlling insect populations to serving as food for other wildlife, frogs are an important part of Bengaluru's ecological network. Their presence can even tell us something about the health of the environment around us. Frogs Are More Than Just "Monsoon Animals" Frogs are often associated with rain because water is essential to their life cycle. Many frog species depend on temporary pools, wetlands, ponds and other water bodies to breed. During the monsoon, these habitats become available across the city, triggering breeding and increased activi...