Fisherman dives into sea near Mumbai, rescues injured flamingo

Rajen Tare was part of the team patrolling the area off the Edwan coast in Palghar when he spotted a flamingo trying to stay afloat

A Palghar fisherman dived into mid-sea to save an injured flamingo. The incident took place at 7.30 am on Friday. The rescued bird is being treated at the Wildlife Conservation and Animal Welfare Association (WCAWA) Dahanu.

Rajen Tare with the flamingo he rescued. (Hitendra Naik)

Rajen Tare, whose boat is used by the fisheries department, was part of the team patrolling the area off the Edwan coast in Palghar for fishermen using purse seine nets when he spotted a flamingo trying to stay afloat.

“I asked my colleague steer the boat and jumped into the sea to save the bird. The flamingo was exhausted and had damaged its wings. To makes matters worse, it was bleeding profusely. I fed the bird some water and informed the forest department. It is a miracle that it wasn’t eaten by big fish in the sea,” saidTare.

The forest department officials collected the bird at Satpati coast and rushed it to the WCAWA centre in Dahanu. Dr Dinesh Vinherkar, a veterinarian at the centre, said the bird is in critical condition and both the wings have sustained grievous injuries.

“It seems to be a case of mid-air collision. However, there are no fractures. The bird will be looked after at the centre until it is fit for release,” he said.