MARGAO: In a heart-warming incident, farmers from Navelim, along with rescuers from the Forest Department in Margao, saved a struggling migratory purple heron from near-certain death on Wednesday.
The heron, a bird of wetland areas, is typically found around lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, and on the sea coast. It feeds mostly on aquatic creatures, which it catches after standing stationary beside or in the water or stalking its prey through the shallows.
The incident was brought to light by Carmo Carneiro, a farmer from Navelim. The farmers in his neighbourhood alerted him about a helpless migratory purple heron struggling with its beak tied up with a cloth ribbon. He immediately contacted the mobile squad staff of the Margao Forest Department, who rushed to the site and successfully rescued the bird.
Upon examination, it seemed that poachers had attempted to catch the bird, as its beak had been tied up. The locals noticed the bird struggling for its life and acted promptly, saving it from a cruel fate.
Navo R Pavano and Aveeth G. Devarpalli, with the help of wildlife rescuer Julio Quadros and local farmers, were responsible for rescuing the purple heron. Officials from the Forest Department praised the efforts of the farmers, stating that it was a rare incident. Their proactiveness and respect for nature helped to give the struggling bird a new lease of life. This rescue is a true example of humans living in harmony with nature.Aveeth G Devarpalli, one of the rescuers, emphasized that poaching migratory birds is a criminal act.
He urged farmers to help in rescuing such birds or inform the forest officials immediately and keep a watchful eye on poachers.Furthermore, he reminded the farmers that the presence of purple herons in fields is beneficial, as they help protect crops from insects that damage them. Therefore, it is in the farmers’ interest to help in the conservation of such birds.
