Rising temperatures leave birds dehydrated, rescue teams report surge
Hyderabad: A few days ago, a bird rescue team received a call about a peacock struggling inside an apartment in Begumpet. The team found it severely dehydrated and unable to fly, suspected to have flown in from nearby deserted areas in search of water.
The bird was shifted to an animal shelter, where veterinary doctor Dr Vishva Chaitanya has been treating it. Rescuers say such incidents are rising as soaring temperatures impact bird life across the city. “Many birds are collapsing due to extreme heat and dehydration,” said a member of the Greater Hyderabad Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“In one instance, a female peacock aged around 2.5 to 3 years was unable to move and was found on the second floor of an apartment. All rescued birds are being administered fluids as part of treatment,” said coordinator Soudharm Bhandari.
Rescue teams have also attended to other species. Three eagles were rescued recently, of which one died while two were released back into the wild. A hyena is currently under treatment.
The list of affected birds includes swifts, known to remain airborne for long durations and even sleep mid‑flight. “Treating such birds is challenging as they are extremely sensitive and often require feeding as part of recovery,” said Pradeep P., president of the Animal Warriors Conservation Society.
Other species such as black‑winged stilts, black kites and crows are also being rescued in large numbers as temperatures continue to rise. To mitigate the impact, the society has been distributing free water bowls across the city to help birds access water during flight.
