Double trouble: Two pythons rescued in single day
AGRA: In yet another incident of reptiles seeking shelter in human habitation, two Indian Rock pythons were rescued from Iradat Nagar, Agra. Both reptiles were kept in observation for some time and were released back in their natural habitat shortly after.
As the rains bring much needed reprieve from the heat, it also sometimes displaces snakes out of their hiding places as water runs into their homes forcing them to seek shelter elsewhere.
The Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit based out of Agra responds to multiple snake rescue calls on their 24-hour helpline number (9917109666).
In such an incident, a nearly nine-foot-long python was sighted near a farm in Thap Mahadwari village. Upon receiving a distress call regarding this, a two-member rescue team consisting of expert snake handlers was dispatched from Wildlife SOS. Around the same time residents were shocked to find another python in the neighboring village of Manchandapura in Iradat Nagar, Agra.
The nearly seven-foot-long constrictor was found nestled between a sandbag and a milk canister inside a house. After ensuring that the curious onlookers were at a safe distance the team successfully carried out the rescue operation, much to the relief of the family. Both snakes were kept under observation and were later released back in their natural habitat.
Indian Rock Pythons, though commonly found across India, face extreme threat due to prevalent misunderstanding and ignorance among public. It is often confused with venomous Russell’s viper and killed in cases of venturing into the human surroundings. Habitat loss due to rampant deforestation and urbanization is another major threat faced by this reptile.
Krishnakant, a member of the family, said, “We were left in a state of shock after discovering the large reptile inside our house. We are grateful to Wildlife SOS for rescuing the snake and for sharing ways in which we can handle situations like this in future”.
Baiju Raj MV, director conservation projects, Wildlife SOS, said, “Wildlife SOS reaches out to injured or distressed wildlife on a 24-hour basis. We request people to keep supporting our cause and immediately report any such situations on our helpline number”.
Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder, Wildlife SOS said, “Wildlife SOS Hotline is run with the objective of helping people. This is a social service to assist the public and to prevent snake bites. We also assist the police and municipal authorities in addressing these issues. Snakes are ecologically required for rodent control and never attack or bite unless they are cornered, stepped on or threatened.”
Wildlife SOS regularly conducts workshops and awareness programmes to spread awareness about the reptiles and to address the widespread but ill-founded apprehensions about these reptiles. Such interactions facilitate education to mitigate human-animal conflict and encourage peaceful coexistence.
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Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/double-trouble-two-pythons-rescued-in-single-day/articleshow/60500493.cms
