Radheshyam Bishnoi was born with a calling to save wildlife. From a young age, he was driven by a deep sense of responsibility to protect the fragile ecosystems around him, shaped by the strong environmental values of the Bishnoi community. Hailing from Dholiya village in Rajasthan’s arid Thar Desert, Bishnoi grew up immersed in a tradition that regarded nature and wildlife as sacred. His community’s commitment to conservation — rooted in centuries-old practices — was more than a guiding force in his life. The principles of the Bishnoi faith, which emphasize the protection of all living beings, were instilled in him early on, compelling him to engage with nature’s most vulnerable creatures. By his teens, Bishnoi had become a tireless wildlife rescuer. He began by helping injured animals in the desert, learning the delicate art of handling wildlife, especially the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) one of India’s most endangered species. But it wasn’t enough to simply rescue injured creatures; he became determined to prevent harm before it occurred. His early conservation efforts laid the groundwork for a lifetime of impactful work. Bishnoi trained as a veterinary assistant at Jodhpur’s Rescue Centre, equipping himself with the skills necessary to address some of wildlife’s more pressing threats. The GIB, once common across the grasslands of India, was of particular concern. With fewer than 150 remaining in the wild, the bird’s survival was precarious. Bishnoi’s efforts to protect its habitat — patrolling the desert, preventing poaching, and advocating for the installation of underground…This article was originally published on Mongabay