US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma, visited the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura, and the Agra Bear Rescue Facility on Sunday.
Mr. Verma, who was accompanied by his wife Pinky Verma and children during the two-hour visit, also saw a rescued baby antelope being fed by the Wildlife SOS veterinary team.
Later, the US ambassador interacted with Wildlife SOS staff to learn more about the species and even fed rescued elephants. Under the guidance of the Wildlife SOS experts, the ambassador held a Sand boa, while his children fed an orphaned Nilgai fawn and a baby Rhesus Macaque.
Earlier this week, the US ambassador launched the ‘Mumbai Dialogue: Towards a TB-Free India’ with Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and businessman Ratan Tata with a goal to engage the corporate sector and strengthen health care in India.
Wildlife SOS is hopeful that the scope of this campaign can be widened to support the environment and wildlife conservation sector as well.
“Wildlife SOS is doing important work. We are so proud of them,” wrote the US ambassador in his note of appreciation at the Agra Centre, said a release issued by the group.
Geeta Seshamani, co-founder of Wildlife SOS, said: “It was a privilege to have Mr. Richard Verma visit our projects. We are so pleased they found it an enriching experience. The cause of conservation is surely strengthened by their endorsement of our humble efforts to conserve India’s biodiversity.”
Mr. Verma had earlier tweeted: “Thank you @wildlifesos in Agra for your great work protecting and rescuing elephants, bears and other animals.”
