Retired Cop Rescues Stranded Ibis Chick in Gandhinagar Garden

In April 2022, a retired police officer living in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, was watering his garden early one morning when he spotted a young black ibis in the foliage. This was just a week after municipal workers had reported seeing a panther in the nearby forest, so the retiree was initially concerned. However, upon closer inspection, he realized it was a young ibis, likely separated from its mother.

The retiree and his wife tried to contact local animal rescue organizations, but their efforts were unsuccessful. One NGO had stopped working with birds, while the other did not answer their calls. Undeterred, the couple informed the local forest officials, who agreed to send help. When the forest staff arrived, they confirmed the bird was a young ibis but advised leaving it in the garden, as they believed the mother would return to care for it.

Worried the ibis chick might become prey for a stray cat, the retiree and his wife kept a close eye on it throughout the day. In the afternoon, the chick attempted to fly but only managed to hop out of the garden. The retiree felt bad, thinking the young bird was wary of him due to his retired status. Nonetheless, the couple's efforts to protect the stranded ibis chick demonstrate their compassion for wildlife, even in their own backyard.