Fri Jan 24 19:08:03 UTC 2025: ## National Wildlife Workshop Addresses Oil Spill Response
**Chennai, January 25, 2025** – A three-day workshop on handling wildlife affected by oil spills concluded yesterday at the Advanced Institute of Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) in Vandalur. Organized by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in collaboration with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the workshop trained 33 participants from across India, including veterinarians, forest officials, and conservationists.
The training, which included both lectures and practical sessions, covered topics such as the impact of oil spills on wildlife, emergency response strategies, responder safety, and the veterinary care of affected animals. Participants from states including Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu engaged in field exercises simulating wildlife rescue, tagging, cleaning, and rehabilitation techniques. The workshop also featured a field visit to Ennore Creek, site of a recent oil spill, and a case study of the Bhavnagar oil spill in Gujarat.
Experts from the Wildlife Trust of India and Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary, who were involved in the Ennore Creek pelican rescue operation, led the sessions. Participants praised the hands-on approach and the opportunity to network with colleagues. One participant highlighted the challenges of working with marine wildlife compared to terrestrial animals. Another expressed plans to replicate the program in Maharashtra to address similar concerns in their region. Certificates were awarded to participants at the closing ceremony.
First Piper 