Keep the winged safe

For humans it's a festival celebrating colour and flight but for several birds it spells an end of their flight to the sky. Makar Sankranti will be celebrated with vigour on January 14, but if you are an animal lover, do your bit to help your feathered friends by providing immediate help to birds injured due to
kite strings.

Pradeep D'Souza from The Welfare of Stray Dogs, who is known as the ‘birdman of Mumbai' among animal lovers and rescuers in the city, says one needs to keep in mind to not touch the injured bird a lot to avoid making them feel anxious and scared.

"If you spot a bird which is bleeding, it is best to apply turmeric on the wound or Nebasulf powder which is available at chemists. Also, bear in mind that while moving the bird to the vet, keep it in a carton with holes in it, and big enough for the bird to stand," u00a0shares D'Souza.

Region-wise helplines for injured birds
>THE Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD), (Cuffe Parade to Mahim/Sion) - 64222838
>Manav Mandir (Worli Naka to Colaba) - 23080319
>In Defence of Animals (IDA), (Deonar) - 32681418/ 9320056581
>Vardhaman Sanskar Dham (Ghatkopar/Powai/Vikhroli)- 65252573
>Karuna (Bandra to Andheri) - 65151313/ 65141313
>Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), (Parel) - 24137518
>PAWS (Dombivali)- 25820571/ 9820161114
>Thane SPCA (Thane) - 32612344
>IDA (Deonar) - 32681418/ 9320056581
>Kandivali - (Individuals) 8451899899/9870784771
>Fire Brigade - 101 (They also rescue birds from a place where a normal human being cannot reach like a tree or the higher floor of a building)u00a0