Animal welfare organisation saves monkey near SGNP; activists warn banned kite string continues to endanger wildlife, humans; the animal was safely rescued and taken to a veterinarian for treatment
The manja caused a deep cut on the macaque’s left leg; The RAWW team treating the injured monkey after rescue; The injured animal with a sutured and bandaged leg, in recovery. Pics/By Special arrangement
In a disturbing incident highlighting the threat posed by Chinese manja to urban wildlife, a sub-adult male bonnet macaque was found critically injured after getting entangled in the kite string in Mulund West, near the periphery of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).
On January 27, the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) received a distress call about the injured animal and rushed to the spot, which falls under the jurisdiction of the territorial forest. The animal was safely rescued and taken to a veterinarian for treatment.
Advocate Pawan Sharma, founder and president of RAWW, told mid-day that despite a ban by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and directions from the Bombay High Court, glass, Chinese, and nylon manja continue to be widely used, claiming the lives of humans and animals alike. He said stricter enforcement is needed as kite flying continues through most of the year, not just during Makar Sankranti.
“We need to change as a society and at the same time need a better action plan at the preventive as well as execution front. People involved in the sale, purchase, and use should be dealt lawfully. These manjas lead to air, water, and land pollution and are like live death traps,” said Sharma.
Dr Kirti Sathe, associate veterinarian with RAWW, who is treating the injured monkey, said the manja caused a deep cut on the macaque’s left leg. “The wound has been sutured and is being treated with antibiotics and painkillers. If the manjha had entangled more, the animal’s throat and intestines could have been slit, and it would have died. Timely intervention by locals and the rescue team saved the animal’s life,” she said.
January 27
Day when the injured animal was found
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