Pakistan's birds struggle with heatstroke as climate change intensifies summers

Pakistan's wildlife is struggling to survive increasingly extreme summer temperatures, with a notable rise in heatstroke and dehydration cases among birds. The Margallah Wildlife Rescue Centre in Islamabad has become a crucial hub for these distressed animals.

Wildlife officer Zaheer Ahmed described the situation, noting that while in the past kite-flying strings caused wing injuries, the primary concern now is heat stress. "In the past, because of kite flying, the string used to damage their wings," said Sakhawat Ali, director of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board. "But for the last one or two years, most of the cases we have been receiving involve birds that are dehydrated and suffering from heat stress."

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In the past, because of kite flying, the string used to damage their wings. But for the last one or two years, most of the cases we have been receiving involve birds that are dehydrated and suffering from heat stress.

The rescue center, located at the foot of the Margallah Hills, has seen up to 30 calls a day during the summer. Ahmed explained that their immediate priorities are providing medical attention, food, and water to the affected birds, which are kept in quarantine until they are fit for release. Scientists warn that such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to human-induced climate change.

Beyond heat stress, birds also face threats from forest fires that can destroy their habitats and overlap with breeding seasons. "Birds’ nests also get burned. The birds themselves also get burned a little," Ahmed said. "So their entire habitat is being destroyed." To combat this, Ali encouraged residents to place bowls of water outside to help birds drink, bathe, and stay cool. The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board is also investigating how climate change might be disrupting bird populations by affecting their breeding seasons and food sources.

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Birds’ nests also get burned. The birds themselves also get burned a little. So their entire habitat is being destroyed.