Maharashtra: Help pours in for starving dogs, monkeys at Elephanta island

Furbabies Rescue Group and ARAC NGO came together and sent food for the animals on Wednesday

Animal lovers, NGOs and a well-known private company have come forward to rescue the malnourished stray dogs and monkeys at Elephanta Island, whose plight was highlighted in mid-day on Monday. In ‘Moved by plight of strays on Elephanta, tourist raises alarm', mid-day reported that the animals are surviving on the leftovers of tourists who visit the historic caves.

mid-day has learnt that these good Samaritans sent dry rations including rice, 80 kg dog food, and 35 kg cooked chicken rice for the stray dogs, and 2,000 bananas for the monkeys on Wednesday. The food was handed over by volunteers to a village sarpanch on the island. Villagers who would feed the strays but couldn't feed so many, have been requested to feed the animals.

Volunteers also took medicines for injured and sick dogs; (right) the cooked rice and chicken taken for the stray dogs

An animal lover's group involved in the rescue told mid-day that they will regularly give the strays food. A conglomerate with interests in textiles, rubber, chemicals, Information Technology, real estate, etc. also approached mid-day and intends to supply food to the stray animals at the historical place. They also want to sterilise the stray dogs on Elephanta Island.

Also Read: Moved by plight of strays on Elephanta, tourist raises alarm

Concerned tourist

Last week, a French and Israeli national, Jeannette Thomas, who works for the United Nations as the head of mission in humanitarian emergencies, brought the plight of the animals to the notice of people when she posted the pictures of the malnourished stray dogs on social media.

Thomas visited Elephanta Caves on September 27 and said there were more than 400 stray dogs and numerous troops of monkeys on the island struggling to get food.

Sanjeev Chopra, who runs Furbabies Rescue Group with his friends, and Savita Mahajan of ARAC (an NGO for animal rescue) together sent the food and fruits for the animals at Elephanta Island on Wednesday. An ARAC team went to Elephanta Island with the food. They also kept some extra food for the dogs and monkeys with the sarpanch, Baliram Thakur.

Animal lovers act

Speaking to mid-day, Chopra said, "We are not an NGO, but a group of people who look after stray dogs. After reading the article in mid-day we packed food, and on Wednesday we sent a team from ARAC to Elephanta Island to feed the dogs. We will continue this in future so that the dogs get sufficient nutrition. We also sent medicines for the dogs which are injured and sick."

"Earlier there was a tradition that people would make an extra roti for cows, or crows and dogs in India. Now no one follows this. This is why now stray animals are not getting food. I request citizens to help the stray dogs. We are not demanding any donations or contributions from anyone. I just request tourists that whenever you visit Elephanta, carry some dog food and hand it to the locals to feed the strays there," added Chopra.

Thomas said, "I am really thankful to mid-day for highlighting this issue and helping the dogs and monkeys. I really love India where people help poor animals without any profit. I am thankful to these feeders. In my wonderful journey to Elephanta Caves, I got the chance to help animals."

Company's business

A well-known conglomerate also approached mid-day and asked the local sarpanch's contact details to look after the dogs and monkeys at Elephanta Island.

The HR head of the company said, "Our company is involved in social work and also works for animal welfare in India. We read the article about the deplorable conditions of the dogs and monkeys on Elephanta Island. We sent a team to Elephanta Island to check the number of stray dogs. After the count, we have got together some people and will send food with them for the animals there. We will also take care of the monkeys and regularly send fruits for them. Hopefully, our work will start in the coming week."

Sarpanch Thakur said, "Thanks to mid-day for highlighting this issue and helping the villagers. I received many calls from NGOs and help has started pouring in for the animals from Wednesday."