Mumbai: Auto drivers turn messiah for electrocuted monkey

Four autorickshaw drivers turned saviour for a monkey who was left with grievous burn injuries after being electrocuted. The men who left their day's work travelled all the way from Mankhurd to a veterinarian's clinic at Bandra on Tuesday evening just to save primate's life.

According to auto driver Dilip Rai(23), a resident of Mankhurd (W), the monkey was first spotted in the area around November. He made a tree near Saibaba temple close to the auto rickshaw stand outside Mankhurd station his home. "On several occasions, we used to even feed him fruits. Three days ago, he disappeared. He came back Tuesday morning — badly burnt. He unable to move," said Rai. He then discussed the situation with his friends Shiraz Khan, Mahesh Gupta and Sabhajeet Rai and decided to get the monkey to a vet.

"After browsing the internet we found the address of wildlife veterinarian Dr Rina Dev and rushed to her with the money on that very day," said Rai.

The sight of four men bringing an electrocuted monkey in a gunny bag touched Dr Dev 's heart. "I was touched by their gesture. Instead of abandoning the monkey in my clinic as it happens in most cases, they helped me treat him and even took him to Pawan Sharma, Wildlife Warden for Thane and President of Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) at Mulund," she said.

Updating about the monkey's condition, Dev shared that the latter seems to be a pet of a Madari as its canines have been removed. "Our biggest concern is its eyesight as the shock and burn seem to have blurred its vision. It will take at least three to four days to understand if its vision will be restored. It also has 30 per cent burn injuries to its face, hands and legs and we have begun its treatment," she informed adding that the monkey has been eating well, which is a good sign.

Sharma said that such acts should be appreciated as it helps spread love and compassion for animals. "The monkey is being fostered by RAWW after seeking permissions from the forest department and we have been carrying out the follow-up treatment at Thane SPCA," he said.