Alert citizens of Delhi helped to rescue two injured wild animals with the assistance from Rapid Rescue Unit of Wildlife SOS, a non-governmental organisation working for conservation of animals.

The injured animals, a jackal had strayed into a medical store and a wild cat was found in a south Delhi colony.

The alert staff of an office in Shahpur Jat spotted a Small Indian civet cat near the entry gate. The animal was struggling to walk and eventually settled on top of a doormat. Concerned about its well-being, the staff contacted Wildlife SOS 24×7 emergency rescue helpline (+91 98719 63535).

On arriving at the spot, the rescue team on close inspection found that the animal had injured its jaw. The civet was rushed to a transit facility for medical treatment and is currently under observation.

Praising the office staff, Kartick Satyanarayan, CEO of Wildlife SOS said: “Civet cats are commonly sighted in Delhi and they can survive in a wide range of habitats. It is heartening to see people act out of compassion and empathy for wild animals residing in modified urban spaces.”

A small mammal native to South and Southeast Asia, the Small Indian civet is primarily nocturnal and insectivorous in nature. While considered as bad omen due to superstitions and false beliefs, they play an integral role in the ecosystem by controlling the rodent population and dispersing seeds as they feed on fruits, berries and coffee beans.

In another incident in the Capital a medical store owner discovered a young jackal inside his shop located at Sri Aurobindo Marg. The animal was struggling to move and had taken refuge under a shelf in the back of the store. Seeing the plight of the animal, the owner called the Wildlife SOS.

The two-member rescue team on reaching the location found that the jackal was a young male and had sustained minor injuries on the stomach, presumably caused by a dog attack.

Carefully moving the jackal into the transport carrier without stressing it, the animal was taken for emergency treatment.

Protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Golden Jackal is native to the Indian subcontinent. Omnivorous in nature, it feeds on a variety of small mammals such as hares, different birds, fishes and even fruits.