Efforts to conserve dolphins and improve rescue operations have received a significant boost with the introduction of a specially designed dolphin ambulance equipped with advanced medical facilities. The ambulance aims to ensure better health assessment and timely treatment of rescued dolphins and other aquatic animals.
The dolphin ambulance was flagged off from the Wildlife Institute of India on Tuesday by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil. The vehicle has been developed to address the limitations faced during earlier rescue operations, which were carried out using trucks.
TS Foundation India, an organisation working in the field of conservation and study of dolphins, gharials and other aquatic species, has been actively involved in rescue efforts in Uttar Pradesh. According to the foundation’s biologist Supriya Dutta, the organisation has rescued 41 dolphins in Uttar Pradesh since 2013. Until now, transporting rescued dolphins safely remained a major challenge.
The newly introduced ambulance is fitted with a stretcher and a 500-litre water tank along with a shower system to continuously sprinkle water on dolphins during transportation, as they are aquatic animals and require a moist environment. The ambulance is also equipped with ECG and X-ray facilities, blood analysis arrangements and other essential medical equipment. A veterinarian will remain part of the rescue team to provide immediate treatment whenever required.
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Officials said this is the first ambulance of its kind dedicated exclusively to dolphin rescue. Wildlife Institute of India’s Dr Viplav Maurya stated that in Uttar Pradesh, dolphins often enter canals from rivers and get trapped when water levels recede. In such situations, timely rescue becomes critical, and the specialised ambulance will play an important role in improving survival chances.
