The WVI contribution to Jivdaya is the first step towards filling a gap in veterinary bird expertise across the Indian continent, whose birds suffer through a lack of a distinct lack of vets able to perform bird surgery and treatment.

While the Indian city of Ahmedabad celebrated last week’s dawn-to-dusk International Kite Festival, WVI vet Johanna Storm was tackling the carnage left behind amongst some of the country’s most endangered birds. Invited to Gujarat to help conservationists in the many makeshift welfare clinics set up to deal with birds lacerated by sharp kite strings, Johanna’s first full day at clinic was a long one - finishing at 1am after sewing up an ibis with a lascerated wing. (The wing also had a compound radius fracture which she fixed using an IMEX miniature interface pin - thank you to Veterinary Freelance for your donation). Further texts from the middle of the night, Indian time, indicate a 1am finish is the norm rather than the exception - this from Johanna: "10.30pm and I have just finished a giant pelican with a severed wing and fractured radius. Egyptian vulture with an impacted crop next, but having a bite to eat first!" Casualty figures are yet to be collated from all the organisations helping birds injured from the kite strings, but it is in the thousands. (see our pre-event press release) Gujarat’s most eagerly awaited event and a huge favourite amongst tourists from across the globe, was in its 25th year and, for the first time, run outside the state of Gujarat in other Indian cities. It also attracted over 100 kite flyers from around the world - and millions of spectators. Johanna, who runs a specialist Avian and Exotic Clinic in West Yorkshire had a few hiccups getting there but says that most birds come in with severed propatagial ligaments and she is getting very good at repairing them at speed. She is there at the request of the Jivdaya Charitable Trust, where Usha has kindly taken time out from this incredibly busy time to write saying: "Johanna has been coping extremely well with her first Indian experience (the good & the not so good!! :) ) And she's such a great sport! “We are taking full advantage of her presence here...our vets are so very glad to be able ask questions and receive guidance on the latest techniques and protocols. “And we have received so many goodies ...some really amazing equipment...we are very grateful to you and everyone who contributed to make it happen! Please do convey our sincere thanks to everyone."