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Wildlife Photography and Animal Rescue in Mumbai

byKaran SolankiRescues across Mumbai; Visit Animal Welfare Trust in Andheri EastStarts from₹1,500 per rescue incidentView full gallery

I am Karan, a wildlife photographer and rescuer. My work bridges the gap between our urban lives and the wild neighbors who share our space. Here is a look at the stories I capture through my lens and my hands-on rescue missions.

This is my life in a nutshell: a blend of hands-on wildlife rescue, patient wildlife photography, and passionate education. Every day brings a new challenge and a new story to tell.

Here I am with a rescued Indian Rock Python before its release. Following in my father's footsteps, I've dedicated my life to this work through our NGO, Aasha: The Hope for Animals Welfare Trust.

Behind the scenes of a photoshoot with an Indian Spectacled Cobra. Using specialized equipment like a macro diffuser allows me to capture stunning details safely and respectfully.

Handling a juvenile Monitor Lizard. These reptiles are also common in urban areas and are a protected species. My work extends to all animals in need of rescue.

Where does my passion take me? To forests, streams, and grasslands, always searching for wildlife and the perfect moment to capture their story through my lens.

Sometimes it's just about being out there, walking through the streams and forests, and connecting with the natural world. This is where I feel most at home.

The monsoon brings out amphibians like this vibrant Indian Bull Frog. I love capturing these seasonal moments that showcase the incredible biodiversity around us.

A dramatic, low-key shot of an Indian Bull Frog calling for a mate. Photography allows me to present these common animals in an artistic and compelling way.

A Green Vine Snake in its element during the monsoon. The forest comes alive in the rain, and it's a magical time for wildlife photography.

A portrait of a magnificent Western Marsh Harrier, the king of the marshlands. My photography work covers a wide range of species, not just reptiles.

About A Glimpse into My World

My camera is a tool for conservation, not just art. I use specialized macro gear to get close to subjects like the Indian Spectacled Cobra without causing them stress, and I bring that same patient approach to every rescue call with Aasha Trust. Whether I am removing a snake from a car bonnet or documenting birds during the monsoon, I prioritize the welfare of the animal above everything else.

Mumbai wildlife rescuer since 2014. — Approved by the tribe
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Karan Solanki

Rescues across Mumbai; Visit Animal Welfare Trust in Andheri EastStarts from ₹1,500 per rescue incident

I am Karan. Wildlife has been my world since I was eight, following in my father’s footsteps. Today, I am either out in the field with my camera to capture a fleeting moment in the wild, or I am rushing to a rescue call in Mumbai to help a snake get home safely.

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The face you make when you forget the one thing your mom asked you to get. This young Rhesus Macaque in Dudhwa has such a relatable, worried look.
"Joey doesn't share food!" This Rhesus Macaque in Kishanpur, with a bit of food dribbling from its mouth, perfectly captures that feeling. These moments of humor are everywhere in the wild.
A portrait of a Rhesus Macaque from my trip to Dudhwa. The dark background helps to isolate the subject, highlighting its expressive face and the texture of its fur.

Creatures Great and Small: Portraits of India’s Biodiversity

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Saloni TirodkarPet portraits in Mumbai; Travels across India for wildlife shoots
The climax of the hunt. This dynamic shot freezes the moment of the pounce, highlighting the agility and predatory instinct of a common street cat.12
The successful hunter. This image captures the immediate aftermath of the catch, showing the cat's focused expression against the bold red shutter.
A tense interaction between two street cats over the prize. This frame adds a layer of social drama to the urban wildlife narrative.
The raw energy of the moment is on full display here. The cat's acrobatic movement shows a mix of playfulness and instinct.

Wildlife Photography: Capturing Raw Animal Instincts in Mumbai

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Sanket KhuntaleTravels for nature and wildlife shoots across India
This leopard, walking on the edge of Mumbai, represents the core of my work: documenting the complex reality of human-animal coexistence. Capturing this moment required months of tracking and planning a remote camera setup to photograph the cat against the city lights, telling a story of shared spaces in a single frame.4
A tigress and her four cubs pause for a drink at a forest waterhole. This image was captured at night using a carefully placed camera trap with multiple flashes, creating a studio-like portrait that reveals an intimate family moment rarely seen in the wild. It showcases the patience and technical precision needed for impactful wildlife photography.
My work is rooted in years of fieldwork, patiently observing and understanding the subjects I photograph. Here, I am in my element, deep within a forest habitat, searching for the perfect angle and light to tell an authentic story about the natural world.
I am honored to take my stories from the field to international stages like WildPhotos. In my talks, I share the real-life challenges and successes of conservation photography, aiming to educate and inspire audiences about the wildlife living right in our backyards.

Featured Urban Wildlife Photography and Conservation Stories

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Nayan KhanolkarAvailable online and for in-person events across India
An Indian Palm Squirrel pauses on a tree stump, alert and curious. I love capturing these common but charismatic creatures, focusing on their expressive eyes and striped backs.7
A striking portrait of a Bonnet Macaque against a pure black background. This low-key technique removes all distractions, allowing us to connect directly with the animal's thoughtful expression.
An Indian Grey Mongoose on the move. I caught this one as it trotted down a path, its body low to the ground and its gaze fixed forward, perfectly capturing its slinky, energetic nature.
A detailed close-up of an Oriental Garden Lizard clinging to a branch. The texture of its scales and its calm, watchful eye are the focus of this reptilian portrait.

Wildlife Photography Beyond Birds: Capturing Hidden Creatures

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Mandar KambleTravels for wildlife shoots across Mumbai and Maharashtra
While looking for rare birds, this juvenile Bengal Monitor Lizard caught my eye, basking in the sun on a cold winter morning. A beautiful reptile.6
A herd of deer, framed through the leaves, creates a dreamy, atmospheric scene. This is what wildlife looks like: serene and perfectly in its element.
A magnificent Barasingha (Swamp Deer) with its antlers in velvet, standing in the lush greenery of a wetland.
A Greater One-horned Rhinoceros resting in the tall grasses, a peaceful giant and a true success story of Indian conservation.

Wildlife photography beyond the birds

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Sumit Kumar SumAvailable online; Shoots across India

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