Conservation policy can set the direction. But on the ground, outcomes depend on whether the systems, people, and resources are ready to act. Wildlife rescue and relocation are not simply about moving an animal from one place to another. They require purpose-built transport, safe holding spaces, access to difficult terrain, veterinary care, health screening and the ability to monitor an animal through its transition into a new habitat. Without this operational backbone, even the strongest conservation policy can struggle to translate into meaningful outcomes. A blackbuck (HT File Photo) The work being undertaken in Banni, in collaboration with the Gujarat Forest Department and the Greens Zoological, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC), Vantara, offers an example of what conservation readiness can look like in practise. The initiative is strengthening field capabilities through purpose-built wildlife transport, portable bomas, all-terrain mobility and a mobile wildlife medical unit, resources designed to help teams respond, treat and acclimatise animals where they are needed. This matters because conservation is ultimately a preparedness exercise. Wildlife emergencies rarely happen under ideal conditions. Animals …