PfA Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Centre: Urban Wildlife’s Safe Space

Founded by four women in 1996, People for Animals, Bangalore (PfA, Bangalore) is a non-profit organisation and is Bangalore’s oldest Wildlife Hospital.  

In the initial years, though the purview was to serve all kinds of animals, PfA soon realized the necessity to look after the much-disregarded category of urban wildlife in the city. Campaigns were conducted against the exploitation of animals for circuses, ritual hunting in the neighbouring villages of Bangalore, and illegal camel slaughters caught the eye of the authorities and public alike and bore fruitful results.

Situated near Turahalli Forest, Karnataka, PfA’s campus boasts a variety of wild plant and animal life. This is the optimal habitat for animal rehabilitation. Within this enriching environment, PfA operates 24/7, 365 days a year, to protect all kinds of urban wildlife. The centre has multiple enclosures for different species of birds, reptiles, and mammals, all designed to provide its residents with a habitat where they can interact with their environment as they would in the wild. 

       Aerial shot of PfA Bangalore.

From conducting awareness drives in schools, colleges, offices, and communities, to initiating special programmes, such as replenishing the water sources in fringe forests, PfA has been proactive in the conservation of the environment and wildlife in and around Bangalore over the years. To date, the centre has rescued over 29,000 urban wild animals, of over 200 species.

At the heart of PfA Bangalore is a team of veterinarians, rescue and rehab specialists who work round the clock to save, and care for, the urban wildlife of Bangalore. 

The Hospital has a 4-step process - Rescue, Recovery, Rehabilitation & Release.

We have four rescue helplines and eight rescue ambulances that are active 24/7. Upon receiving a call on the helpline number, the rescue coordinator records the details such as nature of the incident, type of the animal and location of the caller. One among the 6 trained rescuers is then dispatched to the specified location covering up to 50km radius of the city. We also have a specialised ambulance designed to carry out rescues at a great height; this is imperative especially while rescuing birds stuck in Manja threads. Equipment like telescopic poles that can reach up to 80 feet, telescopic ladders, climbing kits ensures the team can access the animal at any height or depth. The rescuer then retrieves the animal and analyses whether it requires treatment, if so, it is immediately transported back to our hospital. If treatment is not required, animals are released back into a suitable habitat surrounding the location of retrieval. Once an animal is brought in for treatment it is taken to our ICU where a trained veterinarian is assigned. Said veterinarian, upon observation of the injuries, treats the animal and sets it to rest in an enclosed, sanitary space. 

Treatment procedures at PfA are top-of-the-line and constantly improving. PfA has a state-of-the-art laboratory with Digital X-Ray , CBC, Semi Auto Analyser and other diagnostic equipment. At the moment, PfA is equipped to treat all types of aves, mammals and reptiles and has come up with innovative therapy procedures to treat spinal injuries for snakes. This involves a mix of laser physiotherapy and Chinese acupuncture, a combination unique to PfA. Birds with injured feathers are given feather implantation treatments, a procedure made possible by PfA’s feather bank, a rare facility to have in India. PfA’s efforts have resulted in a faster recovery and lower mortality rate for the animals treated at the centre.

As the animal recovers, it is moved to an enclosure closer to its natural habitat so that it may acclimatise to the environment. This process allows the animal to regain the skills it requires to survive in its natural habitat. Through the period of recovery and rehabilitation animals are closely monitored and taken care of by the staff and doctors. Once deemed fit, it is transported back to its natural habitat and released. Animals with permanent injuries or disabilities are cared for at the centre for the rest of their life.

The centre only houses wildlife, but the species within it range from common (bonnet macaque, for example) to quite rare. Animals like the Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus Hermaphroditus), which is forced to produce kopi luwak coffee, and the Slender Loris (Loris tardigrades), which is poached for its falsely rumoured magical powers, are rescued and treated by PfA. A walk around campus might reveal a myriad of other beautiful and rare species being rehabilitated, such as the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Spotted Deer (Axis axis), and Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus). Though it is illegal to keep these animals as exotic pets in India, there are unfortunately many cases where it is necessary to rescue them from people who have done the same.

Aside from caring for animals directly, PfA has also created multiple awareness programs about urban wildlife and the importance of maintaining ecosystems. It is important to educate children about this so that they can grow up with knowledge about conservation and the environment. Intending to improve children’s understanding of nature and enhance their observation and analytical skills, PfA has designed many lessons about wildlife for schools and students. Their educational programme, called WildOne, has 9 interactive modules with elements such as quizzes, observation, and outdoor activities to stimulate children’s curiosity and enable them to actively engage with their environment while learning about it. PfA directly partners with schools, colleges, corporates and resident welfare associations to bring students this humane approach to the animals living with us in Bangalore. 

As an NGO, PfA solely relies on the goodwill of people who believe in their work to support the functioning of the centre. In this pursuit, PfA has a Passive Adoption Programme that seeks funds to sponsor the upkeep of in-care animals. PfA also seeks corporate sponsorships for various ongoing wildlife rehabilitation projects. 

With its vigilant team of dedicated rescuers and veterinarians, PfA is a haven for urban wildlife in Bangalore, and with the efforts of its awareness team, Bangalore’s residents will soon ensure that the city is a safe space as well.

As submitted to CZA's magazine Ex-situ.