The destruction of wildlife habitats due to human encroachment, including deforestation, intentional fires, and widespread hunting, is forcing wild animals to seek refuge in urban areas. As a result, many species are now living in fields near human settlements, struggling for survival. A notable example of this is the sugarcane harvesting season in Satara, which coincides with the breeding season for several wild animals.
During this period, newborn cubs of wild animals, including leopards, wild boars, and wild cats, are often found in sugarcane fields. Last week, in Sangavi village of Phaltan taluka, sugarcane harvesting workers discovered a group of fox cubs while working in the field of farmer Raosaheb Beldar. The workers quickly alerted Beldar, who informed the local forest department. The department immediately contacted Sachin Jadhav, an animal lover and member of the Global Earth Foundation in Phaltan.
Jadhav and his team arrived at the scene and decided to take immediate action to reunite the cubs with their mother. “We placed the cubs in a small plastic box at the spot where they were found and set up cameras to monitor the situation,” Jadhav said. After an hour of monitoring, the female fox returned to retrieve her cubs and safely led them to a secure location.
Appeal by forest dept
The forest department has urged the public to report any injured or stranded wild animals to the nearest office. “We encourage people to contact us or the Global Earth Foundation if they find any wild animal in distress,” said Sachin Raghatwan, the forest range officer for Phaltan taluka.
Phaltan and wildlife rescue
“This event is not an isolated case, as cubs of various species are frequently found in the area during the sugarcane harvest season. Phaltan, known for its rich wildlife, is home to many species of wild animals, including foxes, wolves, and leopards, which have been driven to seek refuge in agricultural fields due to the destruction of their natural habitats,” he added.
For this particular rescue operation, the team included foresters Rajendra Aware and Rahul Nikam, along with Jadhav, all working under the guidance of Satara Forest Department’s Deputy Conservator of Forests, Aditi Bhardwaj, and Assistant Conservator of Forests Digambar Jadhav. “Our team acted swiftly to ensure the safety of the cubs and to reunite them with their mother,” said Jadhav.
In light of the ongoing deforestation and forest fires, nature lovers and animal welfare advocates are calling for more proactive measures. “The forest department and the government must create a comprehensive plan to protect these endangered species and their habitats,” said a wildlife conservationist who was also involved in the rescue.
With many wild species increasingly using sugarcane fields as a refuge, it is crucial to address these issues and ensure the protection of these vulnerable animals during their critical breeding periods.
