Assam’s Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) has completed 25 years of rescuing, treating and rehabilitating orphaned and injured wild animals. Located at Panbari near Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, the centre has emerged as a key institution for science-based wildlife conservation in the region.

Established on August 28, 2002, the CWRC is operated jointly by the Assam Forest Department and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Since its inception, the centre and its Mobile Veterinary Service units have handled more than 10,000 wildlife rescue cases, with nearly 68 per cent of the animals successfully treated and released into the wild.

The CWRC and its two Mobile Veterinary Service units provide emergency veterinary care across eastern and western Assam. The teams also hand-raise orphaned animals when necessary and prepare them for release through established rehabilitation protocols. Flood rescue remains a major part of their work, with teams assisting animals stranded, injured or displaced during Assam’s recurring floods.

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The centre has also contributed to several long-term wildlife conservation programmes. Since 2006, the CWRC has supported the reintroduction of rhinos into Manas National Park through the rehabilitation of rescued animals. Its other efforts include rehabilitating Asiatic black bear cubs in Manas and Dihing Patkai, wild buffalo in Dibru-Saikhowa and Laokhowa and Burachapori, as well as rescued hoolock gibbons and other important species.

Beyond rescue operations, the CWRC works with local communities to reduce human-animal conflict and promote community-led conservation. It also functions as a training facility for wildlife veterinarians, biologists and conservation practitioners, helping build expertise in wildlife rescue, veterinary care and rehabilitation.

Kaziranga Field Director Dr C Ramesh described the centre’s contribution to Assam’s wildlife conservation as invaluable, particularly its ability to respond quickly to animals in distress. WTI Joint Director Rathin Barman and CWRC Centre Manager Dr Bhaskar Choudhury also highlighted the role of science, compassion, government cooperation and community participation in the centre’s 25-year journey.

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