Delhi: Cops turn saviours for animals

NEW DELHI: A dehydrated green pigeon, which had collapsed on the roadside and was in danger of being mauled by stray dogs or run over by vehicles, was rescued by a Delhi Police head constable and brought to the care of Wildlife SOS, a non-profit organisation, for medical treatment. Veterinarians at the transit facility of the NGO treated the bird and released it after a couple of days.
The rescue hotline of the NGO has responded to nearly 800 distress calls since the lockdown. Most of the calls were redirected by the Police Control Room for rescuing wild animals, birds and snakes. Residents usually call the PCR on spotting an animal that is injured or in distress. Wildlife activists said police were corona warriors for animals as they helped in providing aid to them.
DCP (New Delhi) Eish Singhal said, “The pandemic has been tough on everyone, including animals. We are usually the first responders, especially when urban wildlife is involved.”
Kartick Satyanarayan, CEO and co-founder of Wildlife SOS, said, “We understand the tremendous pressure policemen work under and appreciate their compassion towards animals and the cooperation they extend to us.”
“Recently, we received a report of a cobra found in a car. The family that discovered the snake called the PCR, which contacted us for assistance. A police team remained on the spot to keep the situation under control until our team reached,” said Geeta Seshamani, the NGO’s secretary and co-founder.
The NGO’s deputy director (special projects), Wasim Akram, said, “Delhi Police has been a relentless force of good ensuring that nobody, including animals, is harmed in these troubled times.”
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