Mother civet, kitten rescued from house

A South Delhi family woke up to unusual visitors on Monday morning — a mother civet and her kitten inside their Greater Kailash home. The startled residents quickly called the Wildlife SOS 24-hour rescue helpline, leading to a safe rescue and release back into the wild.

A rapid response team from the NGO reached the spot and identified the animals as Asian Palm Civets, small nocturnal mammals rarely seen in broad daylight. Using specialised equipment, the team extricated the pair without causing harm.

The animals were later moved to the Wildlife SOS Transit Facility for a medical check-up before being released back to the wild.

“The rescuer was extremely skilled, cordial and reassuring. His quick response saved our day,” said the caller, relieved after the ordeal.

Asian Palm Civets (Paradoxurus Hermaphroditus) are known for their shy nature and are harmless to humans. They play an ecological role by dispersing seeds and helping control pests. In recent years, however, they have been increasingly sighted in urban neighbourhoods, largely due to shrinking green spaces and expanding construction activity.

Kartick Satyanarayan from Wildlife SOS, said the rescue highlighted a growing trend. “Encounters like this remind us how fragmented habitats are pushing wild animals closer to human settlements. Our priority is to ensure their safe rescue and release,” he said.

According to the Wildlife SOS, calls about wild animals entering residential areas in Delhi have risen in recent years. The NGO’s rescue helpline handles cases involving snakes, birds of prey and small mammals like civets, often found trapped inside homes or construction sites.

Established in 1995, the Wildlife SOS works across India to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife in distress, mitigate human-animal conflict, and curb illegal wildlife trade.