Greater flamingo gets caught in wire in Najafgarh, rescued

The officer said there were limitations in conservation measures in the area since it was private land. “There are many high-tension cables and this happens around twice every year,” he said.

Wildlife expert Anil Gandass, who was part of the rescue team that found three flamingos near the wires, said, “Two of the birds flew away, but one could not move. We later found that it had broken its bone and wing,” he added.

“This flamingo was with its family and when it recovers, we will release it back to Najafgarh jheel,” he said. “Lakhs of birds visit the area and wires pose risks. As the government can’t interfere in the affairs of the land or develop it into a proper wetland, we suggest that the land spread across over 1,700 acres be made devoid of such cables,” said Gandass.

This is the third case over a year, he added. Greater flamingos usually come to this part of the country during winter and leave by March.

The wildlife expert said this bird is likely to survive as it has been eating well. In November last year, a greater flamingo rescued by a wildlife conservationist from Najafgarh wetland in Gurgaon died during treatment, forest department officials said.