Special Cases

Every case number tells a story. From Case #317 to Case #37,958 — here are some of the lives we've touched.

Black Kite (Juvenile)

Condition: Nest entanglement — trapped in kite-flying thread woven into own nest

Treatment: Careful manual extraction of thread from legs and body. Wound cleaning, anti-inflammatory medication, and monitoring for circulatory damage from constriction.

This young Black Kite chick arrived barely able to move. Its parents had built the nest using discarded paper kite-flying thread (manja) — a material abundant in Delhi's rooftops but deadly for the birds that unknowingly weave it into their homes. As the chick grew, the thread tightened around its legs and body, cutting off circulation. Our team spent over an hour carefully removing the tightly wound thread without causing further injury. The chick was kept for observation, made a full recovery, and was released once it could fly. A heartbreaking reminder that the dangers of manja don't end when the kite season does.

Black Eared Kite

Condition: Severe manja string laceration — wing tendons severed

Treatment: Emergency surgery using our novel wing repair technique. 6 weeks of intensive physiotherapy and flight conditioning in our rehabilitation aviary.

This Black Eared Kite arrived during the busiest month on record — May 2024, when we treated 720 birds. Found tangled in manja string near Chandni Chowk, both wings had deep lacerations. Our surgical technique, developed over 20 years, was able to repair the severed tendons. After 42 days of recovery, the kite took flight over the Yamuna — exactly where it was found.

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Barn Owl

Condition: Juvenile — fell from nest during storm, malnourished

Treatment: Nutritional rehabilitation, warmth therapy, and gradual feeding program. Monitored for Metabolic Bone Disease.

A family in Lajpat Nagar found this tiny owlet drenched on their balcony after a severe October storm. At just 3 weeks old and severely underweight, Noor needed round-the-clock feeding. Our team nursed her for 4 weeks until she was strong enough for test flights. She was released near her original nesting site, and the family who found her came to watch.

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Egyptian Vulture

Condition: Fractured wing from vehicle collision — IUCN Endangered species

Treatment: X-ray imaging, surgical pin placement, 12 weeks of controlled rehabilitation. Laser therapy for tissue healing.

Egyptian Vultures are listed as Endangered by IUCN, making every individual critical to the species' survival. Sultan was struck by a vehicle near NH-44. The fracture required surgical pinning — a procedure we've refined over hundreds of raptor surgeries. His recovery is progressing well, but the complexity of the fracture means he needs additional rehabilitation time.

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Shikra

Condition: Glue trap — feathers contaminated, severe stress

Treatment: Careful feather cleaning with specialized solvents, stress reduction protocol, hydration therapy, and monitored recovery.

Glue traps meant for rodents regularly catch birds. Rani, a small but fierce Shikra (sparrowhawk), was found stuck to a glue trap in Rohini. The adhesive had contaminated her flight feathers and she was severely dehydrated from struggling. Our team spent hours carefully removing the glue without damaging her feathers. After 10 days of recovery, she was back to hunting.

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Crested Serpent Eagle

Condition: Electrocution — wet monsoon wires, burns on feet and wing tips

Treatment: Burn treatment, anti-inflammatory medication, laser therapy. Monitored for secondary infection.

Monsoon season is deadly for raptors. Wet electricity wires become lethal conductors. Bahadur, a majestic Crested Serpent Eagle — rare in urban Delhi — was found unconscious beneath a power line in Sanjay Van. Electrical burns on both feet and wing tips required weeks of careful treatment. His recovery was a team effort, with our staff monitoring him around the clock during the critical first 72 hours.

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Indian Grey Hornbill

Condition: Window collision — concussion, disoriented

Treatment: Rest in dark enclosure, anti-inflammatory medication, neurological monitoring. Gradual reintroduction to light and activity.

As Delhi's glass-fronted buildings multiply, window strikes are increasing. Champa hit a high-rise window in Connaught Place and was found on the pavement by an office worker who called our hotline. The concussion left her disoriented for 5 days. With quiet rest and careful monitoring, she made a full recovery and was released in Lodhi Gardens.

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