Injured birds rescued, treated at TTC

Nagpur: Maharashtra forest department’s transit treatment centre (TTC) in Seminary Hills has saved lives of more than 25 birds, injured by manja during Makar Sankranti.
Wildlife advisory board member Kundan Hate said awareness about the TTC had increased and injured birds of different species like peregrine falcon, owl, pigeon, parrot, duck and migratory birds were brought by citizens at the centre.Many called the 24X7 TTC helpline number 0712- 2515306 to get the injured birds rescued. TTC staff undertook rescue operations across the city.
Hate said the survival rate of injured birds went from 20 per cent to nearly 70 per cent this year due to awareness and TTC responding quickly to calls. He appealed to citizens to not use nylon manja, which is not only dangerous for humans but for birds and animals as well.
Veterinary surgeons Mayur Kate and Sayyad Billal performed surgeries on the injured birds, and supervisors Siddhant More and Sameer Neware, along with two feeders, are taking care of the birds at the centre before they are let free.
Hate said chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had shown interest in having TTCs in all 11 circles of Maharashtra, including five in Vidarbha — of which three are already operational in Nagpur, Amravati and Chandrapur. Yavatmal and Gadchiroli are the other districts that would get the benefit once the centres are established.