A British national saved a dehydrated bird during Delhi’s ongoing heatwave, drawing attention to the impact of extreme temperatures on urban wildlife and receiving widespread praise online.Nick Booker has shared a video showing how he came across a suffering bird struggling in the heat and offered a helping hand.The video was recorded on what he said was one of the hottest days of the year, with temperatures in Delhi reaching around 41 degrees Celsius.Booker said he found the bird, identified as a black kite, unable to move due to dehydration.“If it’s hot for us, it’s hot for them! Many birds do suffer in heat waves,” he wrote.He was seen gently moving the bird into the shade of a tree and then offering it water, which it drank quickly.“On the hottest day of the year, it’s 41 degrees in Delhi and we’re in the middle of a heat wave,” he said in the video.He also contacted wildlife rescue group Wildlife SOS, which responded quickly.According to Booker, the team arrived and assisted the bird in about 20 minutes.He thanked members of the organization for their quick response and said: “Big thanks to @wildlifesos, especially Sanoj Chaurasiya for answering my call and Pratap Singh for coming to the rescue!”The video was well received online, with many users praising the quick response and highlighting the importance of helping animals during extreme weather conditions.The incident also raises wider concerns during heat waves. Booker noted that rescue teams are dealing with a sharp increase in distress calls involving birds.He said about 15 birds were rescued that day alone, compared with two to three on a typical day.He urged people to take simple steps to help, adding: “Please make sure you empty the water off your balconies, patios and in front of your house because the birds do need to drink.”The video highlights the increasing impact of rising temperatures on wildlife as heat waves persist in parts of northern India.
