How does PfA release animals back into their natural habitats?
Wildlife should ideally live free of human interaction. However, with rapid urbanisation, some species have found homes in the cities, among humans. You can find birds, mammals, and reptiles in trees, buildings, sheds, and soil. These species are now a part of “Urban Wildlife”. And they are not safe from the dangers that urbanisation brings.
We rescue animals from traumatising conditions. Many are dislocated, and separated too soon from their families; many are electrocuted and yet many are found dehydrated and malnourished due to the lack of food and water sources. If we find humans in these conditions, most of us would be disturbed. Yet very few of us feel the same pain for non-human animals. This indifferent behaviour towards the urban wildlife is what is leading to an imbalanced ecosystem. How do we then plan the release of our rescued animals while ensuring that they do not become a victim of such phenomena again?
When it comes to releasing animals, age plays a major role. When we rescue injured, orphaned, or displaced baby animals, they undergo rehabilitation at our centre and learn the skills to survive in the wild. They can be released anywhere with food and water sources. We start by determining the food availability and water sources of the green spaces. All green spaces are not suitable for every species. We need to evaluate these spaces based on the needs of every species. For example, if we were to release a barbet, we would make sure that there are fruit trees in the area. Similarly, for snakes, we ensure that there are enough small animals in the area for them to prey on.
The most important part of this process is to find areas where human interaction is the minimum. For this, our team marks any green pastures they come across during rescues. These green spaces are then evaluated for food and water, and then marked for particular species to be released in. We make a directory of these areas and release animals when need be. The forest department also helps us with some of our rescues and releases.
When it comes to adult animals, they need to be released in the same spot where they were rescued from. The reason being, that adult animals are territorial in nature. When we go to the hospital, we love to come back to our homes. Similarly, adult animals wish to come back to their homes. If we release them somewhere else thinking that the other place is greener and healthier, it will lead to fights with animals already living there. Territorial fights tend to get very physical and animals end up injuring each other. This would not be sustainable for the animals and for our rescue operations.
Secondly, when we release adult animals in a new place, they get desperate to find their way back to their area. This search might not always be successful. The animal could get injured while traveling, or they could be attacked by other animals. Thus, to ensure that animals are released to their area and have more green and safe spaces, we monitor the areas around the rescue spot. The animal can be released within 2 - 5 kilometres radius from where they were rescued.
We hope this blog gives you some insight into how much planning and executing is required to ensure the safety of our rescued animals. You can be a part of our initiative by planting trees in the city and taking conscious efforts to sustain the environment; and if you see any animal injured, dislocated or sick, call our rescue helpline numbers +919980339880, +919900025370, and we will be there to care for them!
We rescue animals from traumatising conditions. Many are dislocated, and separated too soon from their families; many are electrocuted and yet many are found dehydrated and malnourished due to the lack of food and water sources. If we find humans in these conditions, most of us would be disturbed. Yet very few of us feel the same pain for non-human animals. This indifferent behaviour towards the urban wildlife is what is leading to an imbalanced ecosystem. How do we then plan the release of our rescued animals while ensuring that they do not become a victim of such phenomena again?
When it comes to releasing animals, age plays a major role. When we rescue injured, orphaned, or displaced baby animals, they undergo rehabilitation at our centre and learn the skills to survive in the wild. They can be released anywhere with food and water sources. We start by determining the food availability and water sources of the green spaces. All green spaces are not suitable for every species. We need to evaluate these spaces based on the needs of every species. For example, if we were to release a barbet, we would make sure that there are fruit trees in the area. Similarly, for snakes, we ensure that there are enough small animals in the area for them to prey on.
The most important part of this process is to find areas where human interaction is the minimum. For this, our team marks any green pastures they come across during rescues. These green spaces are then evaluated for food and water, and then marked for particular species to be released in. We make a directory of these areas and release animals when need be. The forest department also helps us with some of our rescues and releases.
Release of a Peafowl
When it comes to adult animals, they need to be released in the same spot where they were rescued from. The reason being, that adult animals are territorial in nature. When we go to the hospital, we love to come back to our homes. Similarly, adult animals wish to come back to their homes. If we release them somewhere else thinking that the other place is greener and healthier, it will lead to fights with animals already living there. Territorial fights tend to get very physical and animals end up injuring each other. This would not be sustainable for the animals and for our rescue operations.
Secondly, when we release adult animals in a new place, they get desperate to find their way back to their area. This search might not always be successful. The animal could get injured while traveling, or they could be attacked by other animals. Thus, to ensure that animals are released to their area and have more green and safe spaces, we monitor the areas around the rescue spot. The animal can be released within 2 - 5 kilometres radius from where they were rescued.
Release of a House Crow (left) Release of a Civet (right)
We hope this blog gives you some insight into how much planning and executing is required to ensure the safety of our rescued animals. You can be a part of our initiative by planting trees in the city and taking conscious efforts to sustain the environment; and if you see any animal injured, dislocated or sick, call our rescue helpline numbers +919980339880, +919900025370, and we will be there to care for them!
Authored by Praanjali Shukla, Volunteer at PfA Bangalore
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