Six new animal rescue vans set up to rescue wild

HYDERABAD: In their efforts to bring down the death rate of rescued wild animals, the Andhra Pradesh Forest department has set up half a dozen animal rescue vans with special rescue teams.Every rescue van has a six-member team to rescue wild animals.“The van will also contain equipment like stretcher, four cotton nets, two rope ladders, an attachable ladder, transport cage, hydraulic lift, heating device and oxygen cylinders,” said chief wildlife warden Hitesh Malhotra.He said the decision to provide well-equipped rescue teams was taken after recent incidents of deaths of wild animals due to accidents or being beaten up by villagers.Raja Ramana Reddy, Anti-poaching Squad officer said the Forest department has set up animal rescue vans in Hyderabad, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Srisailam and Vijayawada, where there are zoos and thick forests.“In a couple of months, we will arrange another 12 animal rescue vans at all forest areas.This will bring up the number of rescue vans up to 23 by end of this year,” he added.He also spoke about the toll-free numbers 155364 and 1800455364 where people can inform the rescue team about wild animals in trouble.Ramana Reddy also said the numbers will be changed to just three digits for making them easily accessible to people.“The rescue team will have a veterinary doctor, two assistant vets, two forest range officers and a zoo official.The team will also cooperate with the Anti-poaching Squad to save animals,” said the officer.Mahesh Agarwal, a member of NGO People for Animals, however, said, “We have been requesting the forest department to arrange animal rescue ambulances for the last two years.But they have arranged just six vans against 23 needed.”