Kite-hit owl finds saviour

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Kite-hit owl finds saviour in PFA

Tribune News Service Ludhiana(India), January 7

Children’s love for flying kites cost a barn owl dear as it was injured after

getting entangled in the sharp kite thread. Its feathers were badly damaged.

The injured owl was not able to fly and was starving when it was spotted by an

employee of Christian Medical College and Hospital two days ago. The local

chapter of the People For Animals rescued the injured owl, which is under

treatment. According to the PFA, the CMC employee tried in vain to contact

Forest Department officials. Finally, he contacted Dr Sandeep K. Jain, president

of the PFA. Mr Jain contacted the Chief Wildlife Warden in Chandigarh, but being

a Gurpurb holiday, nobody reached the spot. Finally, Dr Jain brought the owl

to the Jeev Kalyan Kendra and Bhagwan Mahavir Abhayshala, PFA’s Animals’ and

Birds’ Hospital and Shelter at Khwajke, Rahon Road. It will be released when it

becomes fit to fly. Dr Jain said the doctors attending to the owl had removed

the sharp thread from his feathers. They said the owl

might have got entangled in the thread as it may not have been able to see

during the daytime. He said the PFA would get the bird treated fully as forest

officials had requested them in writing to do. He added that the state or the

District Wildlife Department had no arrangements or squads to tackle these cases

in odd hours or holidays. Dr Jain has appealed to residents to avoid flying

kites as it kills birds and causes lifelong injuries to them in a number of

cases. The PFA president said strings used for flying these kites were coated

with glass powder and often birds got entangled in these, resulting in injuries.

“Ludhiana is a place with the highest number of kites flown every year during

January, which results in a reduction in the bird population of the city during

one month,” said Mr Jain. Educating the masses to provide first aid to

bleeding birds, Mr Jain said bleeding could be stopped by putting gentle

pressure with the help of cotton dipped in cold water or with

fingers over the bleeding point. Dust or foreign material may be removed, but

there should be no wiping of blood repeatedly. The bird may be immobilised by

wrapping a cloth/ bandage gently around its body. The bird can be placed in a

cardbox having paper clippings or cottonwool, the lid of box can be perforated

at a few places for air supply. This box can be sent to PFA activists. A few

drops of water can be put into its mouth or in case of severe bleeding, glucose

can be added to water. In winters, the bird should be kept dry.

 

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060108/ldh1.htm#3

 

 

 

Dr.Sandeep K.Jain

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