WILDLIFE RESCUE POLICY @ PAWS
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of the wildlife rescue policy is to regularize and
standardize the wildlife rescue work that PAWS carries out in connection
with the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
SCOPE:
This policy will be beneficial to and is directed to all the volunteers,
rescuers, trustees, well wishers, stake holders and members of PAWS.
Rescuers and volunteers need to follow the policy or else, there can be
threats to their safety. This policy is also essential because the
volunteers only work here temporarily.
POLICY:
1) All the volunteers, rescuers, trustees, well wishers, stake holders
and members need to strictly adhere to the:
a) Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
b) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
c) Performing Animals Rule, 1973 & 2001
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
Under Section 11
Offenses:
 Beating, kicking, overriding, torturing or causing any animal pain or
suffering by the owner or any other person. Using any animal for
work when it is wounded or unfit.
 Caging or confining an animal in a cage which does not allow the
animal sufficient space for movement. Overcrowding of animals in
yards and during transportation for slaughter. This applies to the
cages of circus animals and mini zoos as well.
 Mutilating an animal: cutting ears or tails, cutting the beaks of birds
or clipping their wings and breaking legs for transportation.
 Organizing or offering an area for animal fights or baiting of
animals.
Penalty
All these offenses are punishable with a fine or with imprisonment for a
term, which may be extended to three months or with both.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Under sections 9, 30, 40 (2), 49B
Offenses
 Hunting, keeping or breeding of any wild animals and birds.
 Acquiring, receiving, keeping in control, custody or possession,
selling wild animals like monkeys, snakes, bears or wild birds.
This includes parakeets and mynahs.
 Selling skins or meat of wild animals. This includes monitor lizard
oil or oil made of any creature. Stuffed squirrels, snake skins and
peacock feathers.
Penalty
The offender shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term of not
less than one year, which may extend to six years and also with a fine,
which shall not be less than five thousand rupees.
Performing Animals Rules 1973 & 2001
Offense
 Not being registered under this chapter exhibits or trains any
performing animal.
 Being registered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,
1960 exhibits or trains any performing animal with respect to which
or in a manner with respect to which he is not registered.
 Exhibits or trains as performing animals, any animals which is not
to be used for purpose by reason of a notification issued under
clause (II) of section 22 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Act, 1960.
 Obstructs or wilfully delays any person or police officer referred to
in section 25 in the exercise of powers under the Act as to entry
and inspection.
 Conceals any animal with a view to avoiding such inspection.
 Being a person registered under the Act, on being duly required in
pursuance of this Act to produce his certificate under this Act, fails
without reasonable excuse to do so.
 Applies to be registered under this Act when not entitled to be so
registered.
Penalty
Offender shall be punishable on conviction with fine or with
imprisonment which may extend to three months or with both.
2) Since snake and other wildlife rescue operations are hard tasks
and life threats can be involved thus, PAWS authorized volunteers/
members/ trustees are mentioned in annexure 1.
3) The snake or wildlife rescuer must have knowledge about
venomous and non venomous snakes, endangered bird and
animals under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
4) Rescuers have no right while working under PAWS to capture,
keep, breed, and exhibit any healthy wildlife.
5) A rescuer MUST intimate PAWS office of its local rescue and
should also inform the local forest department. The rescuers
should also release the wildlife in its appropriate habitat directed
by the local forest department officials.
6) Rescuers or any person associated with rescue of snakes cannot
remove poison or any other part of that reptile. All rescuers need to
understand, learn and obtain the most scientific and appropriate
methods while the rescue / release of any wildlife.
7) Annexure 2 attached herewith, contains the form designed by the
forest department of Kalyan and Thane. All rescuers need to fill the
form, partly from caller and partly from rescuer itself. This is a
compulsory activity in PAWS. The original form to be submitted to
PAWS office & NO photocopy will be provided to rescuer as proof.
The proof of rescue can be given only on letterhead of paws
mentioning number of species & no. of reptiles/birds rescued.
8) All original filled forms of wildlife rescue, panchnama, police
complaints and FIRs MUST mention PAWS’ name in it. If the
rescuer does not mention PAWS then PAWS will not be
responsible for any legal compensation on the particular rescue &
it will also not considered as PAWS rescue.
9) All rescuers also asked to provide monthly rescue figures (species
wise) to PAWS office.
10)
WHAT TO DO WHILE RESCUING SNAKES:
 Identify need of rescue.
 Get acquainted with safer bagging techniques.

Always work in a pair whenever possible.
 Minimise snake handling, while bagging and while releasing.
In case of injuries to snakes or transfers to another bag/box,
handle with care and again do it only when required.
 If fit for release, then do it without delay (within 48 hours).
Keep records of rescue (Bagging to release).
 Get acquainted with first aid and always carry list which will
have nearest hospitals, relatives’ numbers and personal
details like blood group, etc. (for anti venom sensitivity) and
may be numbers of some expert medical professional for
guiding doctors for latest treatment protocol.

Nearest forest departments and police station’s number is
also important.
 To attend regular refreshers course in identification and
rescue techniques (once a year - which can be organised by
inviting experts.)
11)
WHAT NOT TO DO
 Keeping live snakes in captivity except for medical treatment.
 Live snake shows for whatever purpose.
 Handling them when not needed.
 No kissing of cobra hoods from behind.
 Rescuers need to be rescuers, not entertainers.
 Enough snake awareness by conducting live snake shows;
use posters/ charts/ presentations instead.
 Have a lot of respect for snakes as overconfidence while
handling snakes is injurious to health.
 Your homes are NOT the place to keep venomous snakes as
you are putting the lives of your family members at stake,
too.
12)
While travelling with wildlife for rescue, hospitalization,
release purposes or medical purposes rescuers MUST carry
PAWS ID cards, animal welfare officer’s card and copy of forest
department papers (if needed).
13)
Any violation of policy mentioned us liable for cancellation of
membership and also legal charge.
14)
PAWS will NOT be responsible for individual acts of
volunteers, rescuers, trustees, well wishers, stake holders and
members of keeping and exhibiting any kind of snakes or birds or
any other schedules wildlife under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
15)
All the injured birds, snakes need to be hospitalised with due
intimation to PAWS office, on annexure 3 mentioned rehabilitation
and treatment facilities. Rescuers are NOT allowed to treat, keep
wildlife other than facilities mentioned in annexure 3.
Created on
01.01.2012
Seal
Created By:
Nilesh Bhanage
Authorised & Accepted By: