Saturday, May 1, 2010 . News . Page 3With summer getting intense it is not only the humans who are suffering, several cases of small birds and animals suffering from heat strokes are being reported by animal welfare organisations. In our own suburb members of Bhandup based PAWS-Mumbai (Plant & Animals Welfare Society) state, "We usually get such calls during the month of May but this year we have started receiving such distress calls from March end itself," informed Sunish Subramanian, founder of PAWS0Mumbai. He added, “This summer our members have found 25 pigeons, one parrot, four kites, one baby squirrel, one monitor lizard and six snakes suffering mainly from heatstroke. A kite fell on the ground due to severe dehydration.” Sunish attributes a 30 percent increase in the summer related ailments mainly due to factors like axing of trees in the name of development. “Several trees are chopped for beautification and development projects which disturbs the nature’s cycle and results in the drying up of water resources.”
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Sunish with the baby squirrel and the kite rescued by PAWS |
Animal lovers like Saloni Bhatia from Mulund also stated, “I have seen several stray dogs panting heavily which is one of the symptom of heatstroke” In the words of Bhandup based Veterinarian S Y Bhoir, “Like human beings birds and animals also require water to drink on a daily basis. Stray animals and birds suffer from heat related problems like restlessness, dehydration, fever and vomiting as they do not get adequate water and food.”
Animal lovers and vets from our suburb have therefore appealed to citizens to help such small animals and birds by placing bowls of water in balconies, terraces and even public places for the benefit of thirsty birds like crows, pigeons and stray animals like dogs, cats, cows etc. Earthen pots are ideal as these do not tilt easily.
Jenny Singh, a concerned animal lover from Vikhroli stated, “When you see stray animals desperately licking foul smelling water seeping from the gutters one can imagine their plight. It is our moral responsibility to help them by giving them water and food. I have also appealed to milk booth vendors not to waste the milk collected from leaking packets. These can be collected and given to the dogs and cats to quench their thirst.”
Citizens can give first aid to such animals by placing them in a box with holes for ventilation before calling a vet or animal rescue organisation for help. Keeping such animals at home is illegal because animals and birds such as owls, parrots, kites, snakes are protected under Wildlife protection act 1972. When you spot such birds/animals who are suffering from heat stroke or dehydration call Helpline PAWS 9833480388/25968313.
