Thane’s traffic cop rescues ibis

KYT Team

In Thane, a dehydrated red-naped ibis was rescued by Dnyaneshwar Shirsath, traffic official. With the help of NGO Jivoham, the bird was treated and released. Ibis is a long-legged wading bird in the family Threskiornithidae that inhabit wetlands, forests and plains.

On Saturday, Shirsath was contacted by his colleague Naik, who confirmed that a large bird was found near Thane railway station. When Shirsath reached the spot he noticed that the bird was not able to fly. He then got in touch with city-based vet Dr. HemantThange, who stated that the bird was dehydrated and weak. The bird was hence kept under the care of NGO Jivoham. The traffic official was constantly keeping a tab on the health of the bird and was even seen feeding it food. After five days when the bird seemed fit, on Wednesday, it was released.

A couple of months back, a flock of around 200 to 300 flamingos, white ibis, storks, open bills and other migratory birds were sighted along the saltpans and tracks between Naigaon and Vasai.Attracted by the wetlands and lush greenery of the twin cities of Vasai-Virar during the monsoon, many migratory birds are seen visiting the area. These birds feed on crabs, worms, small fish and other marine products in the marshy wetlands.

Considering the ongoing monsoon, it is very much possible that the migratory bird ibis would have lost its way and landed in Thane.To its fortune, it was rescued by a diligent traffic cop and with the help of NGO Jivoham it was safely released.