This story is from July 24, 2017

Agra: As many as six snakes rescued in one day

On Sunday afternoon, residents of Parbatpura village in Bah were paniced after they discovered six snakes wandering around the neighbourhood. The snakes are currently under observation and will be released to their natural habitat soon.
Agra: As many as six snakes rescued in one day
Wolf snake rescued from Parbatpura village.
AGRA: Six snakes were rescued by the Wildlife SOS team from Parbatpura Village in Agra. The snakes are currently under observation and will be released to their natural habitat soon.
With monsoons hitting North India, wildlife recue and rehabilitation NGO Wildlife SOS has been responding to multiple snake rescue calls every day, in and around the city of Agra. On Sunday afternoon, residents of Parbatpura village in Bah were left in a state of panic after they discovered six snakes wandering around the neighbourhood.

Ravinder Singh and his daughter were the first to find four snakes on a tree right outside their house. Fearing for the safety of the family, they immediately contacted the Forest Department, who redirected the call to the Wildlife SOS rapid response unit on their 24-hour helpline number (9917190666).
A team of three trained snake rescuers was immediately deployed to the location. They identified the snakes as Common Bronzeback tree snakes (Dendrelaphis tristis), a non –venomous arboreal species that inhabit low bushes and trees. They are swift and use the sharply defined edges of belly scales which help them to climb. Usually non-offensive but on being threatened will strike repeatedly while laterally inflating its fore body and opening its mouth to look larger. Common Bronzeback tree snakes are found all over the country except the North Eastern states.
A bronzeback tree snake rescued from Parbatpura village in Agra
A bronzeback tree snake rescued from Parbatpura village in Agra.
In the meantime just a few houses away two other non-venomous snake species, a wolf snake (lycodon aulicus) and a Green keelback (Macropisthodon plumbicolor were also found taking up shelter between the crannies of a boundary wall. Both these species are found all over India. The team successfully carried out the rescue operation, much to everyone’s relief.

Baiju Raj M, director conservation projects, Wildlife SOS, said, “Most snake species are burrowing reptiles and they spend most of their time underground but during monsoons their homes get destroyed due to flooding and they are forced to venture into human habitations, in search of rodents and lizards.”
Moreover, monsoons mark the mating season for frogs and being a common prey base for snakes, a rise in their population attracts various snakes in the city that depend on them for survival. Snakes in India face increasing threat due to urbanisation and destruction of their natural habitats along with the traditional threats posed by snake charming and trappings. In case of snakes well-confined in urban environment, they face the danger of being killed in road accidents or by people who confuse non-venomous with venomous and immediately kill them. It is heartening to see a rise in the number of people making informed decision of calling Wildlife SOS helpline instead of taking matters into their own hands which generally ends in casualty on either side.
Geeta Seshamani, co-founder, Wildlife SOS, said, “While dealing with reptiles, we have to exercise a lot of caution as any unplanned activity might upset the snake thereby disrupting the rescue operation. We have professionally trained rescuers who are experienced in handling snake rescues. Wildlife SOS works round-the-clock to rescue and relocate these misunderstood creatures to maintain public safety and help people coexist with these beautiful animals.”
All six snakes are currently under observation and will soon be released into the wild.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA