Dehydrated female jackal, 3 turtles rescued near Mumbai

Mumbai city news: While the jackal has been shifted to SGNP, the turtles are undergoing treatment in Thane

A female jackal was rescued by the members of Thane Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA) from Kasarvadavli, Thane, on Sunday. The animal was shifted to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivli, on Tuesday.

The jackal was shifted to Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli, on Tuesday evening. (HT file)

According to TSPCA, the jackal was chased and bitten by stray dogs. It was a local who chased the dogs away and informed the organisation. The jackal was treated by Dr Deepa Katyal and TSPCA support staff before it was sent to SGNP.

“Before the animal was taken to SGNP, we treated her wounds. The jackal was infested with ticks,” said Dr Katyal. “She was underweight, had high fever and was dehydrated. We first stabilised her and ensured that she drank enough water. We are now awaiting reports for the blood samples that were sent for testing.” 

The jackal was shifted to SGNP around 7pm on Tuesday by Thane forest officials and Pawan Sharma, wildlife warden and president of RAWW (Thane).

“Her condition is critical, but the SGNP vets have taken over. She needs to be kept under observation and treated for her wounds for at least a week,” said Sharma.

Turtles rescued

Three flapshell turtles — protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 — were rescued by animal welfare officials and taken to a hospital on Tuesday.

Preliminary examination revealed that the turtles were dehydrated and traumatised by the fishing hooks that were embedded in their necks.

“They are under observation. Once they stabilise and rehydrate, surgery will be performed to remove the hooks,” said Sharma.

All three are kept at TSPCA centre in Thane.