Kaziranga jeep driver turns caregiver for over 6000 rescued wild animals

Time of India

11-05-2025

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Guwahati: Since embarking on his journey in 2005,
Manoj Gogoi
's name has become synonymous with
wildlife conservation
in Assam. Through nearly two decades of tireless efforts, he has dedicated his life rescuing and protecting the region's diverse wildlife — from venomous snakes to majestic animals — ensuring their survival.
Born in Bochagaon, falling within the
Kaziranga National Park
at Assam's Golaghat district, his passion for conservation was ignited early on by the region's rich biodiversity. Until 2013, Gogoi worked as a jeep driver and tourist guide. However, his life took a transformative turn after meeting Kedar Gore, director of the Corbett Foundation, whose guidance and encouragement inspired him to devote himself entirely to wildlife conservation.
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Spanning approximately 430 square kilometers, the park stretches across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, which lies to its north.
However, it becomes highly vulnerable during the monsoon season, frequently suffering from floods, something he found deeply disheartening as animals are often displaced from their natural habitats, which in turn worsens the situation. "During floods in Kaziranga, animals often get displaced, and get separated from the others in the chaos. In their search for safety, they sometimes come into conflict with people, posing a threat to both parties. In order to avert that, I continue my work," said Gogoi. With more than 6,000 rescues to his name, Gogoi, who has dedicated sleepless nights, not only saves animals and reptiles but also provides them shelter and food. He creates a safe haven for their recovery. What began as a challenging and uncertain effort, sustained only by patience and determination, gradually evolving into a structured and effective rescue mission over the years.Gogoi has also been instrumental in raising awareness about
human-wildlife conflict
and actively collaborates with people from his community, who serve as informants and first responders during animal rescues. . "Conservation is not a one-man job," he said, adding,"The support of the local community is crucial. Many of them alert me whenever they spot a distressed animal, and some even help in the rescue efforts themselves. When people understand the value of wildlife, they become protectors instead of threats.
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