A recent report of the Ramsar Convention of Wetlands has brought to light how the health of wetlands relies heavily on wild animals. Titled ‘Taking Animals into Account,’ this groundbreaking report has also revealed how wild animals play a vital role in keeping wetlands functional and resilient. The report also outlines impactful evidence that reintroducing and protecting key wild animal species could be a game-changer in tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, invasive species control, and water security challenges. Reading the report, one finds that there is an urgent need to rewild wetlands, both inland and coastal, by restoring or reintroducing the wild animal species that keep these ecosystems thriving. It gives details of how the decline of various wildlife species in wetlands has led to the weakening of critical ecosystem functions. It also calls for restoration of wetlands not just as a key conservation strategy but as an essential approach to assure all of the benefits that wetlands provide for local communities and society as a whole. While scientists know what role wetlands play in regulating water cycles, storing carbon, and supporting biodiversity, it is also important that our opinion leaders, decision-makers, legislators, parliamentarians, elected representatives in the Assembly, Parliament, civic bodies, and panchayats, as well as bureaucrats and student bodies, acquire knowledge about the importance of wetlands. This is particularly essential in a state like Assam, which has a large number of wetlands and water bodies. As per the Assam Remote Sensing Application Centre, there are 3,513 identified wetlands in the state. These include lakes, ponds, oxbow lakes, and waterlogged areas. Assam’s total wetland area is 1,012 sq km, representing the highest wetland area among the Northeastern states. The report also contains a case study from India, which particularly focuses on the rapid disappearance of the Sarus crane from the country’s wetlands in recent years. The Sarus crane holds cultural significance and thus provides cultural services to communities in India. Its foraging behaviour—primarily digging for tubers and roots in muddy wetlands—creates ploughed patches that enhance plant diversity and support the growth of less dominant plant species. The crane also benefits small-scale farming, as their nesting sites provide foundations for pioneer grasses instead of the typical reed and sedge, which allow the farmers to till, plough, and sow crops earlier. Deepor Beel in Guwahati is currently one of the worst cases of wetland destruction in India, and the above-mentioned is more significant in its context.