New Delhi: Each year, July 16 is marked as World Snake Day, and the occasion allows an opportunity to talk about one of the most villainised and maimed groups of animals. Snakes are not only misunderstood, but also wrapped in a lot of myths and superstitions. In this regard, Wildlife SOS continues to rescue and parallelly generate awareness about these slithering denizens.
An increase in urbanisation has resulted in the unfortunate decline of reptile habitats, leading to frequent encounters of human beings with snakes. To reduce any negative interaction between snakes and humans, Wildlife SOS carries out rescue operations in and around Agra. Most recently, the NGO’s team rescued an Indian cobra from inside an almirah at a Greater Noida residence and an Indian rat snake from the Prime Minister’s house.
Being extremely versatile, snakes can sometimes make their way into the smallest of structures such as pipes, nets, cupboards, wardrobes and bathrooms. Once found inside a house, in vehicles, or in a highly populated area, they could cause fear among people. If one encounters a snake that is visibly trapped and unable to escape on its own, it is essential to connect with professional help to prevent any further stress to the reptile.
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO, Wildlife SOS advised, “It is crucial to remain calm and refrain from engaging with the reptile. Snakes typically do not interact with humans unless provoked. The safest course of action is to slowly and quietly distance yourself from the snake. If it is in close proximity, back away gradually without sudden or abrupt movements that might provoke it. If feasible, enter a room, close the door, and seal any gaps underneath with a cloth.”
Baiju Raj M.V, Director- Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS informed, “During the monsoon season, there is an increased likelihood of encountering snakes due to heightened activity of reptiles and their prey animals. Keeping our surroundings clean and free of rodents can help deter snakes from entering our property. In case someone spots one, the need to capture it immediately is a common instinct, however snake handling should strictly be left to the professionals.”
If one encounters a snake in areas where Wildlife SOS operates, its rescue team is available for assistance. The organisation runs emergency rescue hotlines all across the country for immediate support, namely in Delhi NCR (+91 9871963535), Agra (+91 9917109666), Vadodara (+91 9825011117), and Jammu & Kashmir (+91 7006692300, +91 9419778280).
Debunking myths by raising awareness is again a crucial step to initiate a dialogue towards wildlife conservation. As a step for outreach, Wildlife SOS is conducting an awareness and education session at the Delhi Zoo to disseminate information about various snake species and rescue operations carried out by the organisation.
