BRC!">Never a dull moment at the BRC!
June 23rd, 2008 | Published in India & Around, Living, Nature & Wildlife, Personal, Photography, Projects | 11 Comments
When Shankar called saying he was going to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) and would I like to go along, I jumped at the opportunity. The last time I went was with Usha and it’s been a while.
A couple of rehabilitated jackals in their own enclosure
It’s always amazing to see Saleem at work : whether he is handling a cobra or a small squirrel or a crow pheasant : his way with animals is admirable. His work at the Bannerghatta Rehabilitation Centre (BRC) housed under the WRRC is well-known, especially amongst nature and animal lovers.
In the compound of the BRC you will find many members of the animal kingdom : tortoises, owls, jackals, monkeys, kites and snakes : all housed with some injury or captured from illegal traders and recuperating under the expert hands of Saleem and his band of dedicated volunteers.
The crow pheasant who has taken up permanent residence!
You will also find many released members : the resident Brahminy and the crow pheasant for example : who refuse to leave even after having been released. The crow pheasant, a usually really very shy bird, has no qualms about climbing all over your chair and pecking at you for attention. It then hops merrily onto Saleem’s shoulder and tries to dig out insects from his long mass of curls, while Saleem carries out a conversation with the bird.
The brahminy kite which visits at least twice a day to make sure everything’s okay!
Despite all its funding problems, it’s amazing how the Centre continues to function. They have recently created a big pond for rainwater harvesting, all with the help of volunteers : now they’re just waiting for the rains to come and fill it up. Meanwhile, many birds and insects have already started frequenting the area.
Flowers growing in the wild
When we reached, Saleem was treating a poisoned cobra, which had been rescued from Kanakpura road after which he turned his attention to a little baby squirrel which had been brought in by a young lady. It’s non stop action for Saleem as animals continue coming in from different parts of the city, usually by volunteers who pick them up and reach them to BRC, which is quite a long way from civilisation.
If you want to know more about BRC (a sister concern of CUPA), visit this page. It also has details about how you can offer funds or even help mobilize funds for the Centre and/or work as a volunteer. You can also go and visit the centre to find out how you can help and the kind of work they do.
The access is through Bannerghatta National Park. You need to take the left fork (towards the car park) before you enter the park. After the car park, you need to go off road for a while : around 2–3 kms of really bad road — before you reach the Centre. If you’re going by 2 wheeler or a smaller car, you’ll need to proceed with care!
For details:
Bannerghatta Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC), Survey No. 129, Jigni Hobli,
Anekal Taluk, Bannerghatta,
Bangalore — 560 083
email:wrrcbrc@gmail.com
June 23rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm (#)
This aspect of random animals and birds being treated by BRC or CUPA is a good initiative., but on the broader perspective, it is the 100’s of dogs lacing the streets of blore which is of more concern really. The Great Ms.Menaka Gandhi passed a resolution against slaying of stray dogs which was the practise until a few years ago, but her great foresight which may have probably been biased for political reasons never occured on her to let her know that Dogs which could be Neutered would still bite ppl on the streets and endanger poor children living in huts playing on the streets. Such pitiful incidents occurred recently with a few children being killed. Im for slaying of stray dogs : reason being, they give a polite ending to their own miserable lives and keeps the city safe.All western countries practice this. Its commendable what BRC and CUPA do, im sure they have neither the monetary resources nor manpower to handle the 100’s of stray dogs in bangalore., but to address the larger issue at hand., neutering does not Solve anything.
I hope anita, that, i didnt drive off the topic of ur write up, but im sure it has relevance to what u’ve penned.
June 24th, 2008 at 12:26 pm (#)
Good info! Didn’t know something like BRC existed… I might plan to visit them shortly.
There is something similar at Kokkre bellore managed by Villagers… Might be a good Idea to connect them both or probably Salem already know it…
June 24th, 2008 at 4:51 pm (#)
Hi Anita,
Good Article! I am plannig to visit the place. Well, What camera did you use to take the snaps?
I liked the pics too!
June 24th, 2008 at 5:53 pm (#)
hey you know i am a big fan of yours…awesome pics as always.…
cheers
shalini
June 25th, 2008 at 4:15 pm (#)
Hey„ So even u go there.…Its always a nice escape for me frm the city .…Feel so gud everytime i visit this place… :)
June 25th, 2008 at 9:23 pm (#)
WOW! Its been ages since I last visited Bannerghatta. Should visit it this time when I’m in India. And those are some lovely shots you’ve captured, Anita! Gooood job!
July 1st, 2008 at 11:09 am (#)
I recently went to the butterfly park and the hill top near the park. Couldn’t visit the zoo due to time constraints. Never knew Bannerghatta Rehabilitation Centre existed. Thanks for the info!
The pic of Brahminy kite is too good. The cropping is well done :)
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:15 pm (#)
i have heard so many wonderful things about saleem and birds are his speciality. the details on the birds are amazing. do you have any idea how the cobra was poisoned?
to arvind: it is kinda off topic!!..what you said about strays in bangalore, but it wont be in our blog. you are welcome to start a discussion there if you want to have a conversation to find solutions and not arguments. our blog: http://adoptstrays.blogspot.com
November 6th, 2008 at 12:21 pm (#)
Hey,
You have such an excellent sense of creativity and imagination. I simply love your photography and the way you write. Chanced upon your blog site while browsing randomly and have fallen in love with it since then..
Keep up the good work as always.….
September 10th, 2009 at 6:40 pm (#)
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. :) Cheers! Sandra. R.
November 19th, 2010 at 10:29 pm (#)
Really beautiful photos and a great article. A great place to visit for nature lovers.