On a wing and a prayer: 9k animals treated for heat trauma in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: The city's heat is not draining just humans — animals and birds are collapsing under the punishing sun and relentless humidity too.
Between April 1 and May 18, 2025, Jivdaya Charitable Trust (JCT) treated 8,939 creatures — 5,125 animals and 3,814 birds — suffering from heatstroke, dehydration, and exhaustion.
Rock pigeons topped the casualty list, with over 2,900 cases alone. Other species like black kites, rose-ringed parakeets, crows, doves and even vulnerable birds such as the Egyptian vulture, Indian roller, bittern, hornbill and greater spotted eagle were also treated for heat trauma.
"With decreasing tree cover, temperatures rise rapidly. Natural water sources and shade for stray animals and birds are very few in urbanised colonies," said JCT trustee Gira Shah.
"Dehydration, disorientation, and fainting are common symptoms in birds like like pigeons, parrots, mynahs, crows, and cuckoos. Many fall mid-flight or crash into buildings. Others simply struggle to breathe or lie lifeless, unable to move.
These are classic symptoms of dehydrated birds," she added.
"Similar signs are exhibited by stray dogs and cats who pant heavily, lick themselves often out of stress and heat, and often faint due to lack of water and high temperatures," she further said.
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While this summer has seen a slight dip in total rescues compared to last year's 11,531 cases in April-May, the toll remains alarming. JCT attributes the modest decline to unseasonal May showers and increased public efforts to place water pots in open spaces. "We rehydrate the animals, administer medical care, and release them back into the wild once they recover," said Shrikant Pandey, operations manager at JCT.
One of the more unusual cases this summer involved the rescue of a common cuckoo, found severely dehydrated and weak. "After intensive care and hydration, it bounced back and was released," Shah said. "But we're racing against the heat. We urge citizens to do their part — a water bowl can save a life."
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