Keralam Forest department to get animal ambulances from Vantara animal rehab centre in Gujarat
The Kerala Forest Department is partnering with Gujarat's Vantara rehabilitation center to acquire modern animal ambulances. The collaboration also includes advanced training for forest veterinarians to improve wildlife care.
Why it matters
Upgrading veterinary infrastructure and training is crucial for the effective conservation and humane treatment of large wildlife like elephants.
Keralam Forest department is partnering with Vantara, the animal rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation project in Gujarat, supported by the Reliance Foundation, to improve veterinary care and wildlife rehabilitation in the State.
The Jamnagar-based centre will soon provide two modern animal ambulances to Keralam: a large one for transporting big animals, such as elephants, priced around ₹85 lakh, and a mid-sized one worth around ₹45 lakh. The vehicles will be brought to Keralam after completing their registration, sources said.
Currently, Keralam does not have any proper animal ambulances to transfer larger animals like elephants. Makeshift vehicle ambulances, which are made by modifying hired lorries, are used for shifting elephants. The proposed vehicle would help the department in transporting large animals, officials said.
Four forest veterinarians of the department will attend a five-day advanced training programme on animal care in Vantara, starting October 4.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in