Delhi, the capital of India, has an incredible array of birds, such as eagles, hawks, peacocks, pigeons, and doves. Unfortunately, the city has multiple dangers for the avian population, including heavy vehicle traffic, low-hanging wires, and flying kites. The resulting injuries inspired two brothers to create a unique solution: a bird ambulance motorcycle service.
Indian brothers saved 50,000 birds in Delhi with their avian ambulance service
Over the past five years, brothers Amit and Abhishek Jain have rescued sick and injured birds in Delhi. They self-funded this noble enterprise with their own earnings — adapting a motorcycle into a unique bird ambulance. Amit runs a pharmacy, while Abhishek owns a clothing shop.
With the growing success of their endeavor, the Jain brothers garnered more support, and last year, set up the Vidyasagar Jeev Daya Parivar Trust. To date, their service has saved an estimated 50,000 birds.
The Jain brothers spoke with the Guardian about their bird ambulance — and how it all started in 2018 when they encountered a trapped bird. “One day, during our commute to work, we came across a heart-wrenching scene. A helpless bird was entangled by its wing, dangling from a branch. We couldn’t remain passive,” said Amit.
After struggling to free the trapped bird for 30 minutes, the brothers called firefighters to rescue it. Fortunately, the firefighters were able to free the bird, but the brothers wanted to do more to help the at-risk avian population in the Indian capital. At that moment, they decided to dedicate their free time to saving birds.
The initiative now has 600 members, rescuing 30-35 birds per day
What started as a small endeavor between two brothers has since grown into something much bigger. As word spread about their bird ambulance motorcycle service, more people joined the initiative. Now, it has a team of 600 active members, along with another 1,000 supporters. “People from all walks of life joined us,” said Amit.
In addition to the team that rescues the birds, there are three people who work at a call center. It’s the avian equivalent of an EMS dispatch center. Species that have been rescued include pigeons, peacocks (Indian peafowl), black kites, eagles, and owls.
A major portion of the rescued birds are pigeons. This is due in part to the soaring pigeon population in Delhi from the sale of grain that people buy at the side of the roads to feed them.
Apply the convenience of ‘fast deliveries’ to bird rescue
The thinking behind using a motorcycle is to harness the convenience of fast deliveries that are the norm in people’s lives — and apply it to bird rescue. “In today’s world, everyone craves convenience, such as doorstep pizza delivery,” said Amrit. He continued, “We embraced this concept and adapted it to bird rescue. By making our contact information widely available, we ensure that injured birds can swiftly receive the assistance they need.”
In the Indian capital, birds get injured in multiple ways. This includes poisoning, being struck by cars, and getting entangled in wires and kite strings. With the avian ambulance service, the brothers and their team save these birds from a slow and painful death.
Jain brothers also aim to raise environmental awareness to help birds
The efforts of the brothers to help birds have expanded to other areas. This includes their Vidyasagar Jeev Daya Parivar Trust raising environmental awareness, particularly the crucial role that trees play in avian habitats.
“Birds have an equal right to exist in this world, just like humans. In the name of progress, we have destroyed their natural habitats.”
The trust also lobbies officials to consider ecological needs when planning developments. Additionally, the brothers have campaigned for better government facilities to treat sick and injured birds.
When they first started the bird ambulance motorcycle service, people made fun of the brothers. “This concept seemed so alien to them,” said Abhishek. However, after people saw the success of the initiative, support grew, showing that many in the city care about the welfare of birds.
Rescuing birds is an act of compassion for the brothers. Also, says Amit, it’s a joyful thing to do. “Saving a life brings more happiness than any party ever could.”
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Header image: Dilli Tak via YouTube
I’m Mark Putzer, and my passion for animals and all things nature is a life-long love affair. Growing up in Wisconsin, I had many cherished memories of hiking, skiing, and enjoying the abundant wildlife in the Badger State.
My passion for animals led me to marine biology research for my studies at the University of Wisconsin. I researched the behavior and communication of humpback whales around Hawaii and Orca Whales around the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The experience of being close to these massive and magnificent creatures is amazing. Later, I taught outdoor education to children in California — passing along my knowledge of animals and nature to the curious minds of the next generation. I also love pets. This includes a Labrador Retriever dog named “Molly” when I was a kid — and now, an adventurous tabby cat named “Rosy.”
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