In a quiet neighbourhood of Delhi, two brothers have spent more than 20 years tending to birds injured by kite strings, working out of a small clinic inside their home.
In the 1990s, they came across a kite caught in manjha — synthetic strings coated with glass or metal. That first rescue stayed with them and shaped what followed.
Even after Chinese manjha was banned in 2017, injured birds continue to arrive. Every year, thousands are still hurt by these strings, pulled from trees, wires, and rooftops.
Finding treatment for birds of prey was difficult at first. With little outside help, the brothers began treating birds in their basement, a space that later became Wildlife Rescue in 2010.
Over time, they have rescued more than 23,000 birds across 100 species. Neighbours, passers-by, and officials often call them when they spot an injured bird.
They have no formal training in wildlife rescue. Much of the work has been funded through their own savings and small donations, while everyday costs and logistics remain a struggle.
Their hope is to build a dedicated bird hospital. They continue to look for land and support that would allow them to treat more birds safely and efficiently.
Many of the birds they rescue are raptors, including black kites. These birds help keep ecosystems in balance and reflect the health of the environment around them.
The brothers often speak about reducing kite flying. They want people to understand how manjhas cause deep injuries that birds rarely survive without help.
For them, the work is not about numbers or recognition. It is about each bird that makes it back to the sky, and the many that still need care every day.
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