An MVS unit in action during floods in Kaziranga NP, Assam

Wild animals in India are often displaced from their habitat, or injured, by natural or man-made factors. Despite advanced technology and veterinary knowledge being available, the challenge is to make this care accessible to displaced or distressed individuals in the remote wilds of the country. Often with no immediate help at hand, affected animals unfortunately succumb to their situation because of interventions delayed due to distance, inaccessibility and other logistical challenges of getting trained wildlife veterinarians/rehabilitators armed with medical supplies and equipment to the site of emergency.

Wild animal rescue centres play a vital role in stabilising these animals before they can be evaluated for release, back into the wild. The Assam Forest Department and WTI along with its partner International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) runs a successful Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) near Kaziranga National Park. However, establishment of such rescue centres in all critical areas may not be logistically feasible. Moreover, as an isolated entity, a rescue centre has limited reach since emergencies may arise at any area, near or far.

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) attempts to address these limitations in individual animal rescues with a number of unique and effective projects. Notable among these are the Emergency Relief Network (ERN- a country-wide network of individuals involved in rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals) and the Mobile Veterinary Services (MVS).

An injured vulture and the Lower Assam MVS unit in Manas NP

Mobile Veterinary Service (MVS) project is one of the unique efforts of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) to provide in-situ emergency relief to displaced or distressed wild animals. The project envisages placement of trained and equipped wildlife veterinarians in major protected areas across the country to ensure round-the-clock medical attention to wild animals in need. 

MVS units in emergency relief operations

Each MVS comprises of a transport vehicle, a trained wildlife veterinarian, an animal attendant, equipment and supplies.

The primary objective of an MVS unit is to minimise the crucial time gap between detection of an affected animal and subsequent veterinary aid. In addition to providing on-field medical assistance, the MVS assumes the responsibility of relocating affected animals to nearest rescue centres or field stations, as the need may arise.

The veterinarians follow recognised scientific principles and protocols while dealing with displaced animals. Likewise, international guidelines on rehabilitation and reintroduction are followed to decide on the placement of rescued animals.

MVS Lower Assam unit participates in a vaccination programme organised by the Assam Forest Department in Kokilabari

Apart from its primary goal of providing emergency relief to individual wild animals, MVS assists respective State Forest Departments in conflict animal management, disease investigation operations during epidemics or sporadic deaths, livestock immunisation to prevent disease transmission and care of captive animals including elephants. Through its presence and its activities, the MVS also helps spread conservation awareness in villages fringing forest areas.

At present, WTI runs five MVS units, three in Assam and one each in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Salient Features of an MVS

• Quick and effective handling of wildlife emergencies and rehabilitation.
• A veterinary clinic by itself, each unit is equipped to deal with a wide range of wildlife emergencies.
• Each unit is staffed by an experienced wildlife veterinarian and a trained wild animal handler who also doubles as the driver.
• Designed and equipped to undertake rescue operations in trying conditions.

Rescued from a freak accident in Shilonijan (Assam) and treated at CWRC, surviving openbill storks are released in their natural habitat by MVS Central Assam unit

Dr Prasanta Boro, MVS Central Assam, administers drugs to a rhino trapped in mud near Kaziranga NP during its rescue

• Rhino Rescue, Kaziranga (Assam)
  On January 15, 2009, Dr Prasanta Boro of MVS Central Assam assisted the Assam Forest Department rescue a sub-adult female rhino from a mud-pit. The rhino had its hind legs trapped in thick mud in a pit on a stretch of farmland near Rajabari Tea Estate, about two kilometres west of Kaziranga National Park. An earth-mover was deployed to excavate the mud around the rhino's hind legs. About 45 minutes later the rhino freed itself and walked away. (Read Story)

• Leopard Rescue, Digboi (Assam)
  On November 19, 2008, Dr Abhijit Bhawal of MVS Upper Assam assisted the Assam Forest Department to rescue a sub-adult male leopard from a house in Digboi. The animal was locked inside the house by the terrified owner. It was tranquilised and relocated to Upper Dihing Reserve Forest where it was subsequently released.
  (Read Story)
  
  
• Tiger Rescue, Tezpur (Assam)
  On October 29-30, 2008, Dr Abhijit Bhawal and Dr Prasanta Boro, veterinarians of MVS Upper Assam and MVS Central Assam assisted the Assam Forest Department to rescue an adult male tiger that had fallen into an abandoned well near Tezpur in Assam. The tiger was tranquilised and rescued from the well. It was relocated and released in Nameri National Park, from where it was believed to have been displaced due to flash floods. (Read Story)
  
  Tiger in the well!!! (First hand account of the rescue) - by Dr Prasanta Boro
  
  

The adult tiger rescued from an abandoned well near Tezpur, Assam

• MVS Arunachal Pradesh has handled more than 90 wild animal rescue cases till date. These include three elephants that were subsequently released into the wild, slow lorises, hornbills, cobras, pythons etc.

• MVS Lower Assam has handled about 183 cases till January 2009. Among these cases were two Asiatic black bear cubs that are currently undergoing acclimatisation in the wild in Manas NP, for eventual release.
  
  
• MVS Upper Assam has handled about 65 cases till January 2009. These include rescue of three common leopards from captivity of local people. The leopards were later released in their natural habitat.  
  
  

• MVS Uttarakhand unit attends to an elephant calf, rescued by the Uttarakhand Forest Department

  MVS Uttarakhand has handled about 37 cases till January 2009, including elephants, leopards and a rhino (in Dudhwa NP, Uttar Pradesh).
  
  
• Six displaced elephant calves have been reunited with their natal herds by the MVS Upper Assam.
  
  
• MVS Lower Assam veterinarian Dr Prabhat Basumatary played an instrumental role in convincing groups of poachers in Manas National Park, to the surrender their arms, in February 2008.
  
  
• Two Asiatic black bear cubs rescued by the MVS Lower Assam are currently undergoing acclimatisation for soft-release back into the wild in Manas NP.

Dr Prabhat Basumatary, former veterinarian, MVS Lower Assam examines rescued orphan Asiatic black bear cubs