This story is from May 8, 2022

Wildlife SOS to cover open wells in state to protect animals

Wildlife SOS to cover open wells in state to protect animals
Wildlife SOS has identified 40 wells that have claimed lives of leopards or where leopards have fallen but rescued. These wells will be covered by fabricating and welding a secure cover that allows safe access to the water. Four wells have been covered so far
Nagpur: Wells are important sources of irrigation, but in Maharashtra, open uncovered wells have become death traps for unsuspecting leopards and other wildlife. Such wells pose a real and fatal danger to people as well. Wildlife SOS has rescued over 50 leopards from open wells in the last decade alone, flagging this as a serious problem in the area.
Wildlife SOS, a conservation non-profit charitable organization working across India for the protection of wildlife since 1995, has started a pioneering and monumental effort to partner with the local communities to cover open wells to reduce the risk of death to people, leopards and other wildlife.

The immediate goal of Wildlife SOS is to cover about 40 to 50 open wells in Maharashtra. Such a project could be revolutionary for the future of leopard conservation and can set an example for all states to follow.
There are thousands of wells across the landscape shared by leopards, nilgai antelope, striped hyenas, sloth bears and humans, but the abandoned and unprotected open wells with no sidewall protection pose a serious danger to human and animal lives. Every village has 30 to 50 wells, some of which can be as deep as 80 to 100 feet. Any living creature who accidentally falls in the wells can sustain fatal injuries or die by drowning.
Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder & CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, “We have been working in collaboration with the forest department to rescue hundreds of animals including leopards from these wells. To prevent these death traps (wells) from claiming more lives, Wildlife SOS has initiated a participative community project that is both revolutionary and impact-oriented and effective to cover open wells.”
“Filling or sealing the wells is not an option because most of them still serve the local communities with valuable drinking water resources. Therefore, covering them is a workable solution that allows for people access to water while removing the risk of anyone falling in,” he adds.

In the first stage of the project, Wildlife SOS has identified 40 wells that have previously claimed lives of leopards or where leopards have fallen but rescued. These wells will be covered by fabricating and welding a secure cover that allows safe access to the water. Four wells have been covered by Wildlife SOS from its own funds. Participation of local villagers and landowners, who are of these wells, is essential for success of the initiative.
Dr Arun A Sha, director, Research & Veterinary Operations, Wildlife SOS, said, “In the second stage, we will work with engineers to improve well cover design to help water conservation and improve water quality by preventing debris from falling in the wells.”
Chaitanya Shete, a local farmer and well owner from Golegaon, said, “A leopard cub fell into my well. It was rescued by Wildlife SOS and the forest department. I am delighted that this will never happen again, thanks to the well covering installed by Wildlife SOS.”
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