By Jordan Schaul | National Geographic | July 18, 2013

Although continuing rainstorms during the monsoon season in Northern India, currently preclude search and recovery efforts for human bodies—some courageous Delhi-based animal rescue teams have saved the life of a single mule. Friendicoes SECA and Wildlife SOS, both animal welfare organizations, teamed up to help bring the mule to safety earlier this week.

Friendicoes SECA and Wildlife SOS, both animal welfare organizations, teamed up to help bring the mule to safety earlier this week.

Although continuing rainstorms during the monsoon season in Northern India, currently preclude search and recovery efforts for human bodies—some courageous Delhi-based animal rescue teams have saved the life of a single mule.

Stranded on a rocky outcrop near Sonprayag in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, the animal was rescued by helicopter from the lethal weather conditions—strong winds and rain and swirling floodwater—after nearly a month of struggling to survive. The dire situation, as a result of monsoons, has lead to the deaths of presumably 5,700 people in the state, but that has not stopped people attempting to rescue surviving animals in distress.

Geeta Seshamani, Vice-President of Friendicoes SECA said, “It was dangerous to land the helicopter in the area where the mule was stranded, but Capt Bhupinder took the risk to save a life and proved his mettle both as a pilot and a compassionate human being.”

Wildlife SOS and Friendicoes have deployed two disaster relief teams to Uttarakhand to bring medical aid to the distressed, stranded animals. The teams consist of veterinary doctors; para-vets with equine experience, farriers, emergency drivers and aims to provide veterinary aid, medicines, treatment, and fodder to the trapped animals.

Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board of India, (Ministry of Environment & Forests) Government of India—Maj Gen R M Kharab said,“My heartiest congratulations to all those involved in this rescue operation. I am glad that a good example has been set by rescuing this stranded mule.”

According to CBS News, “Army and paramilitary soldiers and volunteers rescued more than 100,000 people who were stranded in remote areas cut off by washed-out roads and landslides” due to flooding in Northern India.

ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 14,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content. To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Jordan Carlton SchaulWith training in wildlife ecology, conservation medicine, and comparative psychology, Dr. Schaul's contributions to Nat Geo Voices have covered a range of environmental and social topics. He draws particular attention to the plight of imperiled species highlighting issues at the juncture or nexus of sorta situ wildlife conservation and applied animal welfare. Sorta situ conservation practices are comprised of scientific management and stewardship of animal populations ex situ (in captivity / 'in human care') and in situ (free-ranging / 'in nature'). He also has a background in behavior management and training of companion animals and captive wildlife and conservation marketing and digital publicity. Jordan has shared interviews with colleagues and public figures, as well as editorial news content. In addition, he has posted narratives describing his own work, which include the following examples: • Restoration of wood bison to the Interior of Alaska (As Animal Curator at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and courtesy professor at the University of Alaska) • Rehabilitation of orphaned sloth bears exploited for tourists in South Asia (As executive consultant 'in-residence' at the Agra Bear Rescue Center managed by Wildlife SOS) • Censusing small wild cat (e.g. ocelot and margay) populations in the montane cloud forests of Costa Rica for popular publications with 'The Cat Whisperer' Mieshelle Nagelschneider • Evaluating the impact of ecotourism on marine mammal population stability and welfare off the coast of Mexico's Sea of Cortez (With Boston University's marine science program) Jordan was a director on boards of non-profit wildlife conservation organizations serving nations in Africa, North and South America and Southeast Asia. He is also a consultant to a human-wildlife conflict mitigation organization in the Pacific Northwest. Following animal curatorships in Alaska and California, he served as a charter board member of a zoo advocacy and outreach organization and later as its executive director. Jordan was a member of the Communication and Education Commission of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (CEC-IUCN) and the Bear Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (BSG-SSC-IUCN). He has served on the advisory council of the National Wildlife Humane Society and in service to the Bear Taxon Advisory Group of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA Bear TAG). In addition, he was an ex officio member of the council of the International Association for Bear Research and Management.