Dehydrated jackal dies after being rescued from Mumbai mangroves

This is the first reported jackal death in the city this year

A male golden jackal died soon after a seven-member animal welfare team rescued it from Vikhroli mangroves on Monday evening. The animal was dehydrated and had a severe eye injury. This is the first reported jackal death in the city this year.

The jackal was first spotted by the Godrej security staff around 5pm (HT photo)

Members of non-governmental organisation (NGO) Resqink Association of Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) said the jackal was in a critical state. The animal was first spotted by the Godrej security staff around 5pm.

“The jackal was in distress. Apart from the eye injury, he had blood in his stool,” said Pawan Sharma, president, RAWW. “We rushed him to a private veterinarian by 6.30pm.”

The jackal was taken to Deepa Katyal’s veterinary clinic. “The animal was severely dehydrated and was suffering from stomach infection. Also, the eye was swollen owing to an external injury. The animal died while on its to the clinic,” said Katyal.

The jackal’s corpse was sent to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivli, for post-mortem.

Turtle rescued

A flapshell turtle was rescued from Kalwa, Thane, on Friday with a fishing hook embedded in its lower jaw.

The reptile was admitted to Thane Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA) and was kept under observation. It will be released back into wild once declared fit. Flapshell turtles are protected species and hunting them is illegal.

This is the fourth case in the past two months in which a flapsheel turtle was found with a fishing hook stuck in its oral cavity.

“Their demand for meat, pet trade and superstitious beliefs is threatening the existence of the species,” said Sharma.