Jaipur & Agra, India: Avian, Sloth Bear, & Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation

During my first week in India, I had the privilege of working with Wildlife Vets, and it was all about avian veterinary care and the impact of the loss of bird species on our world. One of the biggest threats to birds while I was there was Makar Sankranti, a festival known for its massive kite-flying competitions, which unintentionally cause injuries to both local and migratory birds. The entire festival is an absolutely beautiful and culturally significant experience, but this is just an unintended result. So, to combat this, Wildlife Vets International partners with Raksha Jaipur each year for Operation Avian, an initiative that trains volunteers in avian medicine and hands-on rescue efforts.

For me at least, being able to take part in this work gave me a deeper understanding of the intersection between cultural traditions, conservation, and veterinary medicine. I can’t show too many visuals of the surgeries or anything, but I wanted to share a bit about why I was out there and how truly important conservation work is. For my second week, I was with Wildlife SOS, learning about the management and rehabilitation of rescued elephants and bears. I’ll definitely be sharing more about my journey and story, but this is just a first look into my experience in the wonderful country of India.

Shoutout to Dr. Chloe Buiting, Global Responders, Wildlife Vets International, and Wildlife S.O.S. for this amazing experience!