Panaji: Goa’s first round-the-clock temporary transit treatment facility for injured wild animals has become operational in Ponda.Previously, all rescued wild animals, regardless of the severity of their injuries, had to be transported to Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary for veterinary attention. Under the new setup, a dedicated team of forest personnel, veterinarians, and wildlife rescuers are deployed 24×7 in Ponda to provide immediate stabilisation, medical care, and health clearances before animals are returned to the wild.“The unit is designed to function round the clock,” a senior forest official told TOI. “Whenever there is a rescue, the health parameters are checked thoroughly before release. If an animal requires serious intervention, it is immediately admitted and treated on-site.”Sources from the forest department said that the formal inauguration of the facility by the forest minister is expected in the coming weeks.While the current facility in Ponda functions as an interim transit unit, the forest department is working toward establishing a permanent, full-fledged wildlife hospital complex at Bethora. TOI had reported the same on June 6, wherein the proposed facilities include a veterinary hospital with surgical facilities, an operation theatre, diagnostic laboratories (including testing for viral and bacterial infections), animal observation and quarantine cages, and emergency stabilisation units.The forest department is also preparing to roll out an advanced wildlife rescue ambulance, operated in collaboration with the Maharashtra-based NGO RESQ Charitable Trust, which runs large-scale, corporate-funded veterinary hospitals in Pune and Nashik.Unlike standard departmental rescue vehicles—such as the heavy-duty transportation van already in use—this new ambulance will function as a mobile medical unit equipped with specialised paramedics and veterinary gear.“We are expecting the delivery of this ambulance very soon. The specialised unit will allow medical teams to perform on-site treatment for wildlife, especially large-bodied animals directly at the site,” the official said.“This will eliminate the stress and trauma of transporting heavily injured wildlife across long distances,” he added.This dedicated wildlife ambulance service is also expected to provide 24×7 emergency response and support both field rescue and rehabilitation transfers.
