Anil Kumble: Bengaluru has taken a significant step towards improving wildlife protection and emergency response with the launch of a dedicated mobile wildlife ambulance, flagged off by former Indian cricket captain and Karnataka Forest and Wildlife Ambassador Anil Kumble. The initiative, introduced over the weekend, is aimed at addressing the growing challenges faced by wildlife as rapid urban expansion continues to shrink natural habitats and increase encounters between humans and animals across the city.
The specialised wildlife ambulance has been launched through a collaborative partnership between Tekion, an AI-native automotive retail platform, and Praana Animal Foundation, a Bengaluru-based organisation actively involved in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation. The project reflects a growing recognition that modern cities must invest in humane, well-equipped systems to protect animals that are increasingly vulnerable due to urbanisation.
Addressing a Growing Urban Wildlife Crisis
As Bengaluru expands outward at an unprecedented pace, residential areas, highways, and commercial developments are increasingly overlapping with natural wildlife corridors. This has resulted in a sharp rise in incidents involving injured, displaced, or distressed animals entering human-dominated spaces. Snakes found in apartment complexes, monkeys in marketplaces, injured birds along busy roads, and even larger mammals straying into the city’s outskirts have become more frequent occurrences.
The newly launched wildlife ambulance is designed to respond swiftly and effectively to such emergencies. Unlike conventional rescue vehicles, this ambulance has been purpose-built to handle a wide range of species and situations commonly encountered in urban and peri-urban environments.
Features and Capabilities of the Wildlife Ambulance
The mobile unit is equipped to manage diverse rescue scenarios, including migratory birds, reptiles such as snakes, monkeys, and smaller mammals. It carries essential medical and rescue equipment that allows trained professionals to provide immediate on-site care before safely transporting animals to rehabilitation centres.
A trained para-veterinarian will be on board the ambulance at all times, ensuring that rescued animals receive prompt medical attention and minimal stress during handling and transit. The vehicle has been engineered with safety mechanisms to protect both the animals and the rescue personnel, a critical factor in high-risk rescue operations.
Importantly, the ambulance is also capable of supporting the Karnataka Forest Department in more complex and dangerous situations. This includes the transportation of larger wild animals such as leopards, gaurs, and sloth bears that occasionally stray into residential or semi-urban areas near forest boundaries. Such incidents require specialised handling, secure transport systems, and coordination with forest officials to prevent harm to both people and wildlife.
Rehabilitation and Professional Care
Animals rescued through this service will not simply be relocated. According to the official release, rescued wildlife will be transferred to Bannerghatta Biological Park or the Birds of Paradise Rehabilitation Centre, depending on the species and condition of the animal. These facilities provide professional veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, and, where possible, eventual release back into suitable natural habitats.
This structured approach ensures that wildlife rescue does not end with removal from urban areas but continues through proper medical care and recovery, aligning with global best practices in conservation and animal welfare.
Anil Kumble’s Role and Message
Speaking at the launch, Anil Kumble highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action to protect wildlife in fast-growing cities like Bengaluru. As Karnataka’s Forest and Wildlife Ambassador, Kumble has been actively involved in initiatives that promote coexistence between humans and wildlife.
By flagging off the ambulance, Anil Kumble underscored the importance of preparedness, compassion, and collaboration in addressing wildlife emergencies. His association with the project also brings greater public attention to the issue of urban wildlife conservation, encouraging citizens to report incidents responsibly rather than resorting to harmful or unscientific methods.
Praana Animal Foundation’s Vision
Samyukta Hornad, Founder of Praana Animal Foundation, described the initiative as a critical intervention for a city facing escalating wildlife emergencies. She emphasised that Bengaluru is home to a rich and diverse range of species, many of which are increasingly displaced, injured, or harmed due to unchecked urban development.
“Bridging a critical gap in Bengaluru’s ability to respond swiftly and humanely to wildlife emergencies in urban areas is the need of the hour,” she said. To support this effort, the foundation has also established a dedicated 24×7 helpline that citizens can use to report wildlife-related incidents promptly.
Hornad explained that the ambulance would operate as part of an integrated wildlife rescue and transport service, working closely with the Forest Department, especially in areas along the city’s periphery where encounters with wild animals are more common.
Beyond native wildlife, the ambulance is also equipped to handle the safe transportation of exotic species. This includes ostriches, emus, and exotic birds that are sometimes seized from unauthorised or illegal breeding centres within the city. Such animals will be transferred to appropriate rehabilitation facilities, ensuring compliance with wildlife protection laws and animal welfare standards.
Corporate Responsibility Through ‘Tekion for Good’
The project has been launched under Tekion’s corporate social responsibility initiative, ‘Tekion for Good’. The programme focuses on creating tangible, on-ground impact by addressing real-world challenges faced by communities and ecosystems.
Aravind Gowda, Senior Director at Tekion, said the partnership reflects the company’s belief that corporate responsibility must extend beyond policy statements to meaningful action. He noted that the initiative demonstrates how corporates, civil society organisations, and government departments can work together effectively to strengthen environmental protection mechanisms.
By supporting infrastructure for wildlife rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation, Tekion aims to help bridge longstanding gaps in urban conservation systems, particularly in rapidly developing cities like Bengaluru.
Government Support and Broader Impact
The launch event was attended by Srinivasulu, Principal Secretary, Department of Ecology and Environment, Government of Karnataka. He acknowledged the vital role played by Praana Animal Foundation and Tekion in enhancing the state’s wildlife rescue infrastructure and stressed the importance of such partnerships in addressing environmental challenges.
Officials noted that timely rescue and proper rehabilitation not only save animal lives but also reduce human-wildlife conflict, improve public safety, and foster a culture of coexistence.
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A Step Towards Coexistence
The introduction of the mobile wildlife ambulance marks an important milestone in Bengaluru’s efforts to balance urban growth with ecological responsibility. As cities continue to expand, initiatives like this highlight the need for proactive planning, community awareness, and humane solutions to protect vulnerable wildlife.
With Anil Kumble lending his support and visibility to the cause, the initiative is expected to inspire greater public participation and awareness around wildlife conservation. Citizens encountering wildlife in distress are encouraged to contact Praana Animal Foundation’s 24×7 helpline at +91 91088 19998, ensuring that animals receive professional and compassionate care.
As Bengaluru navigates the complexities of modern urbanisation, the launch of this dedicated wildlife ambulance stands as a reminder that sustainable development must include safeguards for the natural world that shares the city’s space.
