Surya Dinkar was born and raised as an animal lover by a father who was also a rescuer in his childhood. So naturally, she was allowed to express her love for animals even as a baby. But raised in an urban concrete jungle, there were not many birds or animals that they came across, but in 1997 they found 2 abandoned baby squirrels, which would be her first rescue. Under guidance, they managed to save them and she formed a very deep connection with the squirrel, as if she could hear their cry from far away. Surya would have saved, fostered and released over 1000 three striped Indian palm squirrels since then.
Surya started before the internet age, so access to information and networking among rescuers was pure luck. She started volunteering with BlueCross Chennai when they didn't even have a dedicated aviary for birds and small mammals. They used to bring intensive care babies home and foster them. From formulas to medication, it was all trial and error. "I am currently in the process of collecting various kinds of data in structured scientific format for current and future researchers on Indian palm squirrels, the least studied animals in India," said Surya, the founder of Earthworks Innovative which manufactures eco-friendly bags and handmade products.
Squirrels play an important role in our ecosystem. They were once thriving in urban dwellings and now it is very rare to see squirrels or sparrows or mynas, as their habitat is being destroyed. They don't have a place to nest. Squirrels don't nest openly on tree branches, they nest in burrows, hence they nest among our tiled roofs or the evolved window AC units. Due to people throwing their nests away, Surya makes wooden bird houses which can withstand all weather conditions. It can be installed near AC units or engine rooms which squirrels use as nests instead of damaging our property. "Squirrels are not pets and come under the wildlife protection act. Many people are keeping them as pets and it is very bad for the ecosystem as they should not be caged," strongly believes Surya Dinkar.
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