In one of the rarest incidents, activists rushed to the rescue of two Small Indian civets from a farm’s 30-foot-deep open borewell. The incident unfolded in Ghadi Rosuvillage, near Farah in Mathura, when two adult civets were found stuck inside the borewell at the same time, said Wildlife SOS. BY Syed Wasi Imam
When villagers saw two small animals stuck inside a dry open borewell, they contacted the NGO and the team swiftly reached the location. The two-member team assessed the situation and discovered the animals to be Small Indian civets. Several challenges had to be navigated during the operation, primarily due to the depth of the borewell.
A plan was devised where the rescuers slowly and carefully lowered a trap cage into the borewell. Keeping in mind the stress of the animals, they were extricated safely and brought to the Wildlife SOS transit facility. Fortunately, the civets were not injured but the NGO kept them under observation as a precautionary measure. After a few hours, the mammals were released back into a suitable natural habitat.
Baiju Raj MV, Director Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS said: “We’re pleased to witness more and more individuals making conscious efforts to help animals in distress. The villager’s prompt call to our helpline proved the importance of educating the locals about native wildlife population to avoid unnecessary panic, and instead promote coexistence.”
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder & CEO of Wildlife SOS, said: “Such deep borewells can sometimes become life-threatening for wild animals. In this case, our rescue team had to exercise extreme caution to ensure that the civets were extricated safely. We also want to thank the local villagers who immediately sprang into action and alerted our helpline.”
The Small Indian civet (Viverricula indica) is a small mammal native to south and south-east Asia. This species is primarily nocturnal and insectivorous in nature. Due to the adaptive nature of the species, they can be found in human-modified settlements such as agricultural fields, towns and cities. But due to rapid encroachment of their natural habitat, they often come face to face with humans.
In another event, a seemingly ordinary evening at a Delhi workplace turned eventful, when a snake found its way inside one of the office’s cabins. The incident, caught on their CCTV camera, startled the employees and prompted them to contact the Wildlife SOS rescue helpline.
Responding to the distress call in the early evening, a well-equipped Wildlife SOS rescuer arrived at the location and found the non-venomous, two-foot-long snake coiled in a corner, seemingly puzzled by its new surroundings. With a calm and professional approach, the rescuer safely secured the snake in a specialised snake bag for observation. After confirming its well-being, the snake was later released back into its natural habitat.
Kartick Satyanarayan said: “This rescue is a reminder that snakes can sometimes find their way into urban spaces, seeking shelter or warmth. While this was an amusing incident, it highlights the importance of coexistence and responsible wildlife rescue efforts.”
Geeta Seshamani said: “Many people fear snakes due to myths and misconceptions, but they play a crucial role in various ecosystems. Our team works tirelessly to ensure such rescues are handled safely, both for the animal and the citizens.”
Suvidha Bhatnagar stated: “Encounters like these emphasise the need for awareness about urban wildlife. We are grateful to the citizens who report such cases instead of taking matters into their own hands, ensuring the safety of both people and animals.”
(Syed Wasi Imam is a senior journalist based in New Delhi, with extensive experience across print, television, and digital media)
