The workshop included both lectures and practical sessions led by experts, covering the basics of oil spills, their impact on wildlife, and emergency response strategies. 

Experts from the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary (BMAD), who were involved in rescuing and rehabilitating pelicans affected by the oil spill in Ennore Creek in December 2024, conducted a three-day workshop at the Advanced Institute of Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) in Vandalur. The workshop focussed on handling wildlife affected by oil spills.

The event, organised by WTI in collaboration with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) from January 22 to 24, saw participation from 33 veterinarians, Forest Department officials, and conservationists from Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

The workshop included both lectures and practical sessions led by experts, covering the basics of oil spills, their impact on wildlife, and emergency response strategies.

Besides sessions on responder safety, housing oiled animals, and veterinary care for affected wildlife, participants also went through field exercises demonstrating techniques for rescuing, tagging, and releasing oiled birds, followed by sessions on cleaning and rehabilitating them.

The final day of the workshop included a field visit to Ennore Creek and a case study on the recent Bhavnagar oil spill in Gujarat.

At the closing ceremony, N.V.K. Ashraf, Chief Veterinary Officer at WTI, AIWC Director A. Udhayan, Arignar Anna Zoological Park Director Ashish Kumar Srivastava, and AIWC Deputy Director Senbagapriya distributed certificates to the participants.

Bhushan Krishnamurthy from Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Chengalpattu, said the workshop was eye-opening and provided valuable insights into the challenges of handling oil spills and wildlife rescue, offering both theoretical and practical knowledge. He appreciated the hands-on sessions and the opportunity to connect with others in the field.

M. Nithya Kalyani, forest ranger from Ramanathapuram division, said, “While we have experience with terrestrial animals, working with marine wildlife, especially catching birds, was a new challenge for us. The insights shared about the difficulties they faced were particularly useful.”

Dinesh Vinherkar from Wildlife Conservation and Animal Welfare Association, Maharashtra, says he is now considering conducting a similar programme in Maharashtra, as he realises there are similar issues in Maharashtra and believes this knowledge will help in understanding how to effectively address and manage such situations.