Helping Urban Wildlife Go Back To The Wild

Bangalore: Maruthi had turned 'half-human'; he had learnt to consume alcohol and smoke cigarettes. So what, you might think, what’s so special about that? Thing is, Maruthi is not a human but a monkey which picked up human habits.

In fact, Maruthi became so ‘human’ that it would even dip biscuits into tea (yes while sipping chai!). And the monkey also began acting very aggressively towards other primates. “The problem is, monkeys are not supposed to be domesticated, they are wild animals,” a spokesperson for People for Animals (PfA), a city-based non-profit animal welfare organisation which rescues urban wildlife, told NSoJ.

Which is why PfA took Maruthi away from his ‘human’ family. The monkey is now under PfA’s care. PfA believes wildlife should be left in their natural habitat. Hence, the organisation works closely with the Forest Department to carry out rescue, rehabilitation and release operations, especially in cases where animals are found mistreated or kept in unhygienic conditions. PfA’s hospital and care centre is conveniently located at Kengeri, near the Turahalli forests. The rescue team works 24/7 and till date, have rescued more than 26,000 animals across 198 species.

Animals are first taken into the intensive care unit where they are thoroughly examined and treated for injuries, if any. The centre also hosts a well-equipped operation theatre. Once the animals are healthy, they are kept in an 'observation enclosure' and later, released into the forests. Monkeys like Maruthi, however, need to be re-trained for a ‘wild’ life and are therefore, looked after in a 'socialising enclosure'. Here, they are under the care of 'Nanny', a monkey who takes on the role of a foster mother. "Nanny has been here for more than six years. Although she is blind, she trains the monkeys very well," says a PfA staffer. Going by their ‘social’ nature, monkeys are usually released in troops.

Helping birds fly again

The organisation looks after birds and reptiles as well. Some of the birds kept by fortune tellers are housed in the 'parakeet assessment enclosure'. Bangalore is a place where we can find a number of kites. Many of these birds have clipped or broken wings (thanks to the ‘manja’ or glass-covered kite strings we humans use). Such birds go through ‘imping' -- a specially designed treatment whereby birds get artificial wings. This is done so that birds do not forget their instinct to fly. These wings are removed once the normal wings grow back. There are many other winged residents such as owls, bats, crows, and bulbuls, in the centre.

Alongside the birds, are some slithery creatures getting much-needed rest and recuperation. These are snakes that have suffered spinal trauma at the hands of humans. PfA has a snake hospital specially for reptiles. Here, snakes undergo advanced physio-laser treatment along with traditional acupuncture! A major concern for PfA is that people are scared of snakes. "Which is why we have a chain of volunteers who go to schools to conduct awareness workshops," explains Nawaz Shariff, General Manager, PfA. They also educate the people visiting the centre about the myths surrounding these reptiles. "Till I visited PfA, I had no idea milk was harmful for snakes!" says Ms. Nisha, a visitor.

The PfA shelter also has three pet cemeteries. Donations from the cemeteries help fund the PfA hospital. "Unfortunately, the equipment used in the hospital is expensive. So, we are solely dependent on public donations," adds Mr. Shariff.

It is such donations that help rehabilitate and rescue urban wildlife like Maruthi. Under PfA’s care, Maruthi is now learning how to behave like a monkey again.

People for Animals: No. 67, Uttarahalli Main Road, Kengeri, Bangalore-560 060

Rescue Helpline +91 99000 25370 / +91 99803 39880 Pet-Cemetery: +91 8197155004