A special rescue mission was carried out by WILDLIFE WELFARE ASSOCIATION in flood-affected parts of Kerala to rescue snakes and other wildlife animals/birds.
After the state of Kerala was struck by massive floods and adverse climatic conditions, it’s ecological balance and natural animal habitat was destroyed completely. Many animals couldn't navigate their location and came close to human populated areas. As flood water was receding and people were going back to their home, chances of spotting wild animals especially snakes were very high. Snakes might have been carried by flood water and taken shelter in houses. Animal Rescue team of WWA headed towards the distressed location to give an extra aid to local Forest Department of Kerala.
Our team of six rescuers left for Ernakulam, Kerala from Thane Railway station on 25 August 2018. They reached the Kokanad on the night of 26 August 2018. Next day they immediately got into the action. In the morning they had a brief meeting with the Range Forest Officer. RFO introduced our volunteer to his team and allotted us a vehicle to attend the rescue calls.
Successful Rescue Drives were been conducted in the following areas of Ernakulam District: Kokanad, Kottapuram, Malayattur, Mullavur, Mellur, Maramappali, Pukkatupadi, Kakkanad
•The team was able to rescue following animals/birds/snakes:
SPECIES COUNT
KING COBRA 1
INDIAN ROCK PYTHON 11
SPECTACLED COBRA 12
RUSSELL'S VIPER 1
COMMON TRINKET 1
RAT SNAKE 1
SHIELDTAIL 1
BARN OWL 1
SAMBHAR DEER 1
PALM CIVET 1
TOTAL 31
Rescued animals were been officially handed over to respective forest departments which were again released in suitable natural habitat.
Our team also helped the forest department to set camera traps and collect pug marks of LEOPARD from a residential area.
We also helped the forest department to unload the trucks of essential life supplies to be distributed amongst local people.
On 4 September 2018, our team returned home after working 10 days in flood affected regions of Kerala.
In this entire rescue operation, we received valuable support from forest officials of Kodnad Range MR. Dhaniklal and MR. J B Sabu. We also want to thank the staff of Kerala Forest Department who hospitably looked after our rescue team and helped us whenever necessary.
We also would like to thank our hardworking and dedicated rescue team members namely Ravi Suresh Lohire, Aniket Rajendra Kadam, Omkar Kolekar, Sushil Gaikwad, Deepak Bhangarath and Sanjay Bambawade who were on their tip of toes throughout the rescue operation which is highly appreciated.
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