Parel’s animal hospital has VIP patient

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The veterinary staff at Parel’s Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (animal hospital) are giving “VIP” treatment to a vulture that has been admitted to the hospital. The vulture, which is suffering from acute dehydration, is recovering fast and the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary and Bombay Parsi Panchayet have expressed interest in giving shelter to the bird. The hospital has got a vulture patient after 15 years.
Around a year old, the vulture is still on anti-biotics and will recover completely in the next 2-3 weeks, said doctors. “When this high profile patient was admitted to our hospital, it was on its death-bed. Our team took it as a challenge. It had no external injury marks, but after routine diagnosis and getting an x-ray, we found that it was suffering from acute dehydration. Now we hope that it will live for a full 25-30 years,” said Lt. Col J.C. Khanna, chief administrator of the hospital.
The long-billed vulture, which is a rare species, was found on the outskirts of the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary in Raigad on January 26 in a very critical condition. Guards at the sanctuary admitted it to a local dispensary, but later it was transferred to Alibaug dispensary. However, its condition deteriorated further and it was finally admitted to the animal hospital in Parel, where it is currently being treated.
One of the trustees of the Bombay Parsi Panchayet, Armaity Tirandaz said, “We have high regard for the species, so we are trying to get this beloved vulture in our possession. If we fail, then I would request my trust to provide monetary support to whosoever takes its possession.”
While an officer from Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, Nilesh Chandelkar, who is monitoring the vulture’s health said, “The question of giving the vulture to any trust does not arise. Only a sanctuary or natural atmosphere would be the best place for it.”
Explaining why this species is on the verge of extinction, Lt. Col Khanna, who is a member of the Animal Welfare Board of India, said, “Big animals are drugged with Diclofenac Sodium as anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic doses. But, an overdose of this drug remains in the dead bodies of animals, which has been proving fatal for vultures. Though the government has banned this drug without proper prescription, it is being sold openly in the market.”