Once upon a time, a girl sat on her sun-kissed balcony, humming softly as a gentle melody played in the background. With a paintbrush in hand, a vision in her eyes, she swept her brush on the white canvas, one stroke at a time, bringing a wordless story to life. A quiet zephyr would sweep through her thick, dark hair, whispering through the leaves of potted plants that had become her companions. In those moments, time felt slower, yet more alive. Just like that, lost within the solace of life, the world around her gradually shifted. But her way of seeing the world endured: through the most timeless and beautiful things life has to offer — art, music, words and of course, an unconditional love for nature.
Perhaps that’s where it all began for Ankita Kanwar, now Content Editor at Wildlife SOS: a deep-rooted love for the unspoken, the overlooked — the world of nature. With a background in literature and journalism, Ankita’s journey with Wildlife SOS began in 2013. After a medical hiatus, she returned in 2022 — carrying with her a deeper appreciation for the world and all beings in it. Over the years, Ankita, as an editor, has become one of the most integral part of Wildlife SOS, a soft yet unyielding force behind the words that bring our mission to life.
So how does someone turn a lifelong love for wildlife into words that touch thousands? To understand that, we must step into Ankita’s world — one where storytelling goes far beyond pen and paper. Here, she shares what inspires her, challenges her, and continues to move her every day at Wildlife SOS!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I proudly introduce myself as being in one of the first batches that graduated from cassettes to CDs, music systems to the “walkman”, and from getting music recorded on empty cassettes and CDs to using the internet all night to download music (which wasn’t always legal). Listening to music has been one of the most significant parts of my growing up years, and still is. It would accompany me, my younger sister, my parents, and our dogs when we would take family road trips to pet-friendly places in hill stations, which was difficult to find back then. The ones we did find took us to some of the undiscovered gems in the mountains that were far from tourist hotspots, dense with greenery, and “wild”. We would be surrounded by silence and nature, and I would find most peace in either taking quiet and slow walks or just sitting and gazing at the landscape around us.
Professionally, I come from a background in communications. After completing Literature as my graduation course in Delhi, I went ahead to pursue a course in Journalism in Mumbai, after which I picked up a job with a leading national newspaper in the same city. I always wanted to channel my strengths in writing and comprehension, so when I saw an opening in Wildlife SOS in 2013, I was quick to apply for it.
How did you hear about Wildlife SOS?
I first discovered Wildlife SOS through a social media post and I began following their work closely. I was in Mumbai then, studying journalism. Eventually, when I moved back to Gurgaon in 2013, I learned about an opening in their communications team and I didn’t think twice before applying! I joined Wildlife SOS around the same time as Suvidha Bhatnagar, who is now our Communications Director.
My time here was nothing short of memorable! We were a small team, and I got to visit the Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF) and the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC). There, for the first time, I saw sloth bears up close, and being able to walk next to elephants made me realise how big and kind they are!
But this was a short stint since I was diagnosed with a serious medical issue in 2014, and I had to leave. When Wildlife SOS’s NatGeo show India’s Jungle Heroes aired on TV, I was blown away by it! It came across as a victory of all the hard work Wildlife SOS has been doing, and how strongly it stood. Perhaps my sentiment took a telepathic route and reached Suvidha, who had always been a wonderful supporter through all odds, and happened to let me know of a role I could consider. This was in 2022, eight years later. And I was awestruck to see how large and mighty the communication team had become!
How do you see your role as an editor playing a part in conservation?
At Wildlife SOS as an editor, I am fortunate for the amount of knowledge I can share as well as gain while I work. It opens my mind to perspectives, and strengthens my concern towards the wild. I have always seen this role offering a helping hand to our wonderful writing team. Our writers give their time, skill, effort, imagination and creativity to complete their piece — and as an editor, I keep this as a foundation when I read through their hard work. I am happy to have a team that is brimming with ideas; each of them has their own unique way of expressing their compassion towards birds, animals, reptiles, and nature. The role of communication is to reach out to the targeted audiences — it’s about producing content that is relevant to them. Timelines and deadlines exist in almost all work environments. The only difference lies in the cause, and one’s commitment towards the cause is what makes them choose the direction they take.
I am also aware of how every article published on our website is also a document recording Wildlife SOS’s expansive work and factual information of the wild world that coexists with us. I wish for each to communicate to every reader of any age on how vast, amazing and awe-inspiring the world of wildlife is, so that the wheels of protecting it do not lose momentum.
How has working at Wildlife SOS changed your perspective on conservation?
Wildlife SOS is a rich place for knowledge. I am definitely more aware of how much effort, expertise and sensitivity is required in times when animals are silently suffering, struggling to adapt, and their fight to survive has become even more challenging due to reasons that aren’t natural. What I admire our organisation for is how they always bring in the human factor while conducting rescues, awareness campaigns and research work. Saving wildlife isn’t just about protecting animals, it’s about reimagining how we live, how we think, and how we share this planet — about learning to coexist with other species in peace and harmony.
What does wildlife mean to you, personally?
The world of the wild — which humans were once a part of too. We believe humans have progressed, but to think of what we are doing to our planet makes me feel like we have grossly regressed in our actions as well as our thinking. We are disrespecting the world that has allowed us to survive. Somehow, all of us human beings seem to be “invading” this planet, just because we can. Wildlife belongs to this planet, too. If we don’t give it the fair attention it needs, we would be the only ones accountable for its loss.
Beyond editing, you’re known for your beautiful nature-themed artworks. How did that journey begin?
Looking back and thinking of it, art has always been there with me — I would doodle in notebooks, and would always enjoy the idea of being in the creative part of any team whether in school or college. But my first conscious attempt with art was through oil painting classes that an elderly lady in my neighbourhood was taking.
I was 25 years old when I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. It put a stop to the pace I wished to move ahead with in my career. But this was also when my love for learning and art began once again. I joined an Art Appreciation course on art history at Delhi’s National Museum, and learnt about Liberal Arts when I joined Ashoka University’s fellowship programme. I began experimenting with creativity when I self-taught myself various forms of art through different mediums. This was where my tryst with art began. Art became my silent and steady friend, opening up doors to a world I enjoy being in. It took me a while to notice that I often include leaves in my art. Maybe a subconscious part of me yearns to be one among nature, and that’s what I cherish about art… it’s almost like therapy where I can explore myself. And interestingly, it also brings out my deep desire to never stop learning in life. I’m happy to share that today I am a cancer survivor.
What lessons has nature taught you that you carry into your everyday life and work?
I’ve loved the silence nature has as it goes about its own routine. When I was a child, I would talk to the plants in my balcony, as though they would somehow respond with a sign that they heard me. Their intelligence — we don’t use such a word for plants — would often leave me awestruck, but just thinking of how their branches could lean towards where the sunshine was would make me think of how “alive” they are. Plants and trees around us don’t spell it out for us in words, or create ruckus to show what they are feeling, all they need is careful observation and attentive care. They need you to know they’re alive and present.
I think human beings and animals too require this, we need to be showered with love and appreciation in a way that helps us grow and see in the right direction. No matter how strong and heavy our body and voice may be, we are gentle and sensitive beings.
What does a peaceful day look like to you?
The most successful day of the week is when if I get to listen to some music, get on a catch-up call with a friend, and complete a few more pages of the book I am reading. The two doggies and a cat we have are always around as our very own “Animal Planet” channels all through the week — we now know their “mischief managed” expressions very well. And we also know how much we love them. Sundays are when each gets to enjoy extra cuddle time with me.
Is there any specific Wildlife SOS rescue story that has etched itself into your heart?
All rescued animals are special to me, and since I edit content on their stories, my heart goes out to each of them. Bani is one that all in my family are closely following and admiring for her astounding courage and cute little antics!
The role of editing is almost like the activity of gardening — you prune, shape, and nurture to help growth. In this way, Ankita is an ever-patient gardener, who nurtures the writer’s voice and strengthens the story. Through every carefully chosen word, she reminds us that our stories deserve to be heard. With her words, edits (and brushstrokes) she helps us see wildlife not as distant or separate, but what we closely share our world with. For her, perhaps, it was always meant to be — a life rooted in quiet wonder, where words grow like leaves in the light.
Wildlife SOS is India’s largest wildlife rescue organisation. Consider supporting our work by making a donation, and by reading and sharing the fascinating blogs we publish!
