PUNE: Several local primary response teams featuring resident-volunteers and wildlife enthusiasts from villages in and around Pune and other districts would now be trained to assist with rescue operations and to help reduce the animal-human conflicts, besides the rapid response team comprising forest rangers and other employees of the Pune forest department, .
Shivaji Mukhe, officer on special puty, Pune forest department, said, “Only last year. we formed rapid response team to help with wildlife rescue operations in and around the city, and all the members were trained by RESQ. To further the initiative, we formed primary response teams featuring 20 members each from all villages to act as first-responders to emergency situations in their areas. They will try to diffuse human-wildlife conflict, gather vital information and secure animals to be helpful for rescue till our rapid response teams reach.”
Primary response teams have been formed in Daund, Shirur, Junnar, Indapur, Baramati, Bhor and more, and will be trained. Every primary response team will be headed by a forest ranger; joining is completely voluntary and open to any resident interested in working for the welfare of wildlife.
With rescue work, primary response teams will also spread awareness among the local population to avoid unfortunate incidents, like last year’s death of a wandering gaur in Pune city’s Kothrud area.
