Animals Return to Mombai After Terror Attacks

BSPCA hospital manager Dr. Yuvraj Kaginkar tends to an injured pigeon outside Mumbai's Taj Mahal Hotel.

Thousands of pigeons that fled their usual feeding spot outside Mumbai’s Taj Mahal hotel following the recent terror attacks have slowly begun to return due to the efforts of two animal welfare organizations.

By the end of the siege, thousands of the pigeons around the Taj had all but disappeared, adding to the anguish of many Indians who regard the birds as a symbol of peace.

The Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) said the birds kept circling the besieged hotel for days, unable to eat.

But the animal welfare group Karuna eventually persuaded authorities to allow them to place birdseed around the hotel, which quickly lured the pigeons back.

BSPCA says many animals were killed or wounded by the shooting and explosions during the Mumbai crisis.

“A lot of pigeons (were found) with injuries to their head, wings, feet and some fractures,” BSPCA hospital manager Yuvraj Kaginkar told Mumbai's The Mirror.

Photo: Mumbai Mirror