Operation Avian 2025

Our fantastic team of avian experts – vet nurses Matthew Rendle and Hayley Ayres, wildlife vet Ashley Clayton and avian surgeon Stefan Harsch – recently returned from India, where they helped train almost 80 local vets and veterinary students, many of whom are involved in helping the huge number of birds injured by carelessly discarded kite string during the annual Uttarayan festival to celebrate the end of winter.

Kite-fighting and flying competitions are an important feature of the festival, but every year thousands of birds and other animals become entangled in kite strings which have not been properly disposed of, and which are often coated in powdered glass, resulting in serious injury and death. Education campaigns focussed on the importance of responsible kite flying, including avoiding the hours of dusk and dawn when birds are most active, are having an impact but the number of animals affected is still huge.

We’ve been supporting vets and rehabbers for over a decade during this crucial time of the year in India, and have been working in collaboration with local animal welfare rescue RAKSHA Jaipur since 2020. This is the second year RAKSHA has joined forces with the local Apollo Veterinary College in Jaipur, who provided the facilities for most of the Operation Avian lecture and hands-on workshop sessions.

While many of the birds seen in the RAKSHA clinic and pop-up roadside camp will be common species like pigeons or black kites, learning how to treat them effectively means vets from areas of the country where they are likely to come into contact with threatened species like vultures or Sarus cranes get transferrable knowledge that can help save any that come into their care.

This year it was standing room only for the day of veterinary lectures which took place at Apollo College. Teaching highlights included a talk on nutrition – an important topic which is often not given enough attention when it can make all the difference to the outcome for a sick or injured bird. Matthew’s talk on anaesthesia, along with a clear explanation of the avian respiratory system was particularly well received, as were Stefan’s surgical case discussion, Ashley’s presentation on antibiotic use and Hayley’s introduction to fluid therapy and the use of intraosseous catheters which can be inserted into the marrow cavity of a bone in small patients. Euthanasia is always an emotive topic at Operation Avian but the team were encouraged and impressed by this year’s respectful discussion, which was once again sensitively led by Stefan.

This year’s itinerary also included a dedicated Endangered species day, focussing on vultures and the lesser florican and featuring some excellent talks and discussion. This was a great networking opportunity as it brought together key conservation figures from the Tourism and Wildlife Society of India, The Bombay Natural History Society and the Wildlife Institute of India.

The days of lectures were followed by a day of practical teaching, which was again attended by just under 80 people. Ashley and Stefan carried out tasks at the front of the group, which were shared through a projector, meaning everyone was able to see. After each task was demonstrated, everyone went back to their own group to practice on a cadaver, while the WVI team were able to circulate and advise.

With the main teaching days behind them, Matt, Hayley, Ashley and Stefan went on to spend time at the RAKSHA clinic and pop-up roadside bird camp, where they gave hands-on support and helped treat many birds – and a bat.

We couldn’t have made any of this happen without the energy and enthusiasm of Rohit Gangwal and his brilliant RAKSHA team, or the generous support of our sponsors – Burtons Veterinary Equipment, Millpledge, Essity Healthcare, JAK Marketing, Ace Vet Supplies, Lafeber and MWI Animal Health.

The team are already looking forward to next year…

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