2024 was an incredible year for us at WTI. We saved 430 animal lives and hand-raised 19 young orphaned animals, giving them a second chance at life. With support from the Rajasthan forest department and the dedication of  our Emergency Relief Network (ERN) volunteers, our prompt response to the avian botulism outbreak in Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan, helped save over 150 migratory birds. Among other milestones, this was the year that we were able to facilitate the soft release of hand-raised leopard cat kittens and small Indian civet pups for the first time.

WTI’s whale shark conservation project was able to set its footing in the states of Kerala and Lakshadweep this year, helping rescue and release 16 whale sharks that were accidentally entangled in fishing nets, back to the ocean. We also successfully satellite tagged three whale sharks off  the coast of Gujarat, paving the way for a deeper understanding of  the migratory behaviour of the world’s largest fish. Additionally, in the annual edition of the Fort Kochi Heritage Run, more than 1200 participants ran bearing the conservation message of protecting whale sharks.

11th whale shark tagging along Indian waters offshore Veraval, Gujarat | Photo by Mohit Bambhaniya

We were a part of the first ever World Species Congress and proud to now host the IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival (CSS – India), the first of its kind in Asia. Talking about species, 160 gharials hatched under our observation in the Gandak River Basin. The project has come a long way in protecting the largest extant population of this critically endangered  reptile. We have also built a network of markhor and hangul watchers who patrol the remote landscape of the Pir Panjal Range in Kashmir to protect these mountain ungulates and raise awareness among the local community. Meanwhile, down south, our Amphibian Recovery Project team in Munnar identified new breeding sites for three targeted species of endemic frogs including the Anaimalai flying frog, the meowing night frog and the Beddomixalus bijui.

Our work with the local community in the state of Manipur helped bring out a resolution banning the hunting of pangolins across 230 Tangkhul Naga villages. Among the biggest wins this year, this was a strong blow to the illegal international trade for the world’s most trafficked mammal. We assisted state forest departments and enforcement agencies in 41 operations, helping rescue 8 live sloth bears, 4 live pangolins, 506 live birds and 24 turtles/tortoises from the illegal wildlife trade. Our efforts also exposed the black markets dealing with sea fans, mongoose hair brushes and hathajodi across the country. Furthermore, WTI’s Hostile Activity Watch Kernel (HAWK) module was adopted by the forest department of Tamil Nadu.

Spearheaded by WTI, we were also able to manage around 1011ha notified as Village Reserve Forests (VRF) with the help of the local community in the Garo landscape, Meghalaya. In Kannur, through collaboration with the local community and Pachayats, we restored 20 acres of mangroves. In Bandhavgarh and Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve, we surveyed 116 grasslands to understand the challenges and work towards restoring a fully-functional and self-sustaining ecosystem.

This was also the year that we ventured into new landscapes like Shergaon in Arunachal Pradesh, to raise awareness and protect the small cat species found in the region. We also expanded our efforts  to the forests of Chalakudy in Kerala, working towards the conservation of Cane and Travancore tortoises and landscape management efforts across Central India, Western Ghats and Odisha.

WTI’s ED and Co-founder receives the prestigious Hindu Business Line “Changemakers of the Year, 2024” award from Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Finance Minister of India

We were honoured to be recognised by The Hindu Business Line as one of  the “Changemakers of the Year”. Additionally our ambassador, Dia Mirza Rekhi, and veterinarian, Dr. Panjit, received the prestigious Animal Action Award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

However, this was also the year that we lost conservation stalwarts like Dr. AJT Johnsingh, Ratan N Tata and Dr. G.V. Reddy. While we deeply mourn their passing, we are committed to honouring their legacy by continuing to secure the future of India’s natural heritage. We hope to have your continued support in the service of nature.

We wish everyone a happy and healthy 2025.