In late 2022, Mohammed Arif, a resident of Amethi, UP rescued an injured saras crane and nursed it back to health. In February, 2023, videos showed the extraordinary bond that the bird had formed with Arif, following him everywhere.

However, this led to the intervention of the forest department, which took away the crane and transferred it to Kanpur Zoo. Arif was also booked under the Wildlife Protection Act.

A recent video (above) shows Arif’s visit to the Kanpur Zoo, and the saras crane’s excited reaction on seeing him.