Tribal trio revives baby monkey, wins hearts in act of compassion in Thiruvananthapuram

In a heart-warming act of compassion that has since gone viral, three tribal women from a Vanasamrakshana Samiti (forest protection committee) in Thiruvananthapuram revived a baby macaque after it was electrocuted near the Kallar Golden Valley forest check-post on Tuesday.

The incident unfolded along the Vithura–Ponmudi road when two young monkeys came into contact with a high-tension power line. One of them fell onto a tree branch, while the other crashed onto the tarred road, unconscious and suffering a wound to its forehead.

Without hesitation, Ponmudi Vanasamrakshana Samiti members Udaya, Sachithra and Saugandhika, who are all members of the Kani tribal settlement in Mottamoodu, Vithura, rushed to the scene. The trio immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by performing chest compressions in an attempt to revive it. Miraculously, their efforts succeeded.

After administering basic treatment to the wound, they released the revived monkey back into the wild, a moment that has captured widespread attention and praise.

Ponmudi Vanasamrakshana Samiti members Sachithra, Udaya and Saugandhika.

“Even though we have suffered greatly due to wild animals and lost crops to wild boar, elephant, and bear incursions, we never thought of turning our backs on these baby monkeys. Animals do pose a menace to us, yet we have always lived alongside the forest and its creatures,” says Udaya.

‘To instil empathy’

Section forest officer Shaji points out that similar incidents have occurred before, including one two months ago when a beat forest officer administered CPR to a fallen animal. “The members of Vanasamrakshana Samiti are being encouraged to act as true guardians of the forest by upholding compassion for both humans and wildlife. Such acts serve to instil empathy in others as well,” he says.

The incident has also sparked discussions about the need to provide formal training in first aid and wildlife rescue techniques for members of the Vanasamrakshana Samitis and eco-development committees across the State.