As the mercury climbed across the capital this summer, a remarkable surge in bird sightings and rescue operations has spotlighted Delhi’s rich and diverse avifauna. Wildlife SOS, a leading wildlife conservation organization, has played a crucial role in both rescuing heat-affected and injured birds and supporting the Delhi Bird Atlas, a pioneering citizen science initiative aimed at mapping the city’s seasonal bird distribution.
Over 160 bird species documented in summer census
The recently concluded summer census for the Delhi Bird Atlas recorded more than 160 bird species across 145 zones in the city, with 21 species sighted for the first time this season. Noteworthy among these are the greater flamingo, Bonelli’s eagle, and the Indian pitta — species that highlight the surprising richness of Delhi’s urban birdlife.
More than 600 checklists were uploaded to the eBird platform during the summer survey, surpassing the participation seen in the winter count. Combined, the winter and summer surveys have now documented over 220 species in the capital, underscoring the success of this community-driven conservation effort.
Wildlife SOS: frontline rescuer amid rising heat and urban threats
Wildlife SOS has been at the forefront of bird rescue and rehabilitation in Delhi-NCR, responding to nearly 500 bird rescue calls up to May 2025 alone. These rescues include endangered raptors and migratory birds suffering from collisions, electrocution, habitat loss, and heat-related stress.
The organization operates a 24×7 emergency helpline (+91-9871963535) and a dedicated transit facility for wildlife treatment and recovery. Many rescues are initiated by vigilant citizens who report distressed birds, demonstrating the power of community involvement in urban wildlife conservation.
Collaborative conservation effort
The Delhi Bird Atlas is a collaborative project involving the Delhi Forest and Wildlife Department, Wildlife SOS, Bird Count India, Delhi Bird Foundation, WWF-India, and other partners. This citizen science initiative empowers volunteers and everyday residents to contribute valuable data that informs conservation strategies and helps protect Delhi’s vulnerable bird populations.
Shyam Sunder Kandpal, Chief Wildlife Warden of the Delhi Forest and Wildlife Department, emphasized the initiative’s community focus:
“The Delhi Bird Atlas is not just a scientific endeavour—it’s a community-powered initiative to reconnect people with nature. Contributions from partners like Wildlife SOS help strengthen our understanding of seasonal bird behaviour and build a more responsive conservation framework for the capital.”
Voices from Wildlife SOS
Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, reflected on the collaboration: “Participating in the Delhi Bird Atlas has been a deeply collaborative and rewarding experience. The data we collect today will shape tomorrow’s conservation strategy. It’s heartening to work alongside fellow organizations, volunteers, and citizens who share the goal of protecting Delhi’s diverse and vulnerable bird life.”
Wasim Akram, director of special projects at Wildlife SOS, said,
“As Delhi grapples with unpredictable climate patterns, rising heat waves, and plastic pollution, the importance of such data-driven and people-powered conservation efforts becomes ever more urgent.”
About Wildlife SOS
Established in 1995, Wildlife SOS is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife in distress across India. Beyond bird rescue, the organization combats illegal wildlife trade, mitigates human-wildlife conflict, and promotes sustainable livelihoods.
Wildlife SOS also leads a national campaign to end the exploitation of captive elephants, providing long-term care and sanctuary for rescued animals.
