CAPTIVE WILDLIFE WELFARE (CWW)

This division works for improved health and welfare of wild animals in captivity. Its major focus areas are:

• To address the health and welfare needs of India ’s permanently displaced wildlife populations in captivity.

• To address policies related to captive wildlife whenever necessary and to see that it is consistent with the welfare needs of captive wildlife and the conservation needs of its wild cousins.

• To improve their welfare standards through awareness, policy interventions, up gradation of management standards, emergency safeguards, orphanages and rejuvenation/retirement centers.

• To provide health support through health camps and routine veterinary service.

• To build capacity amongst veterinarians, keepers, captive wildlife owners including forest department officials on the management of displaced wild animals held in captivity.

• To develop and maintain a database on such captive populations.

• To support both Central and State governments in their wildlife management programs.

For this purpose WTI has organized Captive Elephant Care health camps, Sloth bear welfare in Sloth bear sanctuary in Bannerghatta National Park and veterinary care for “dancing” bears.