With monsoon in national Capital, good numbers of reptiles have been rescued. According to a data with wildlife SOS, different categories of wild reptiles have been rescued. From four feet long Indian Rock Python to Black-headedroyal (snake ) rescued from different places in Delhi. According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi may witness more rains in weekends. With rains, chances of reptiles are more especially in forest align areas for instance - JNU , Vasant Vihar.
Starting with Monday of this week, Wildlife SOS rescued four foot long juvenile Indian Rock Python was found coiled up on a scooterin in a residential colony in Aya Nagar, Phase - V.
Kiran Kumar, who called Wildlife SOS said, “I was shocked to find the snake coiled up on the deck of my scooter. As we are closer to the outskirts of the city, there are many forested areas nearby and we often find snakes in the neighbourhood.”
“The snake is currently under observation and will soon be released back into its natural habitat,” said a wildlife SOS official.
WasimAkram, Manager Wildlife SOS Special Projects said, “last week we rescued a monitor lizard from the National Technical Research Organisation campus, located a few minutes away from this neighbourhood.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, CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, “During the monsoon season many reptiles struggle to find a safe habitat in the deforested cities and end up around human habitats. Growing habitat destruction and encroachment is rapidly blurring the lines between cities and forests, adding , “Consequently, the wildlife living in proximity to such expanding areas have no choice but to forage or seek shelter in urban habitats. Most snakes are burrowing reptiles and they spend most of their time underground but during monsoons their homes get destroyed due to flooding and are forced to venture into human habitations, in search of rodents and lizards.”
On Monday, six foot long Rat snake and a 5 foot long Black-headedroyal snake were rescued by Wildlife SOS from a nearly 6 foot deep pit atthe upcoming Unitech Resort Villasite in Sector-33,Gurgaon.
“Both snakes are currently under observation & will be released back into their natural habitat, once deemed fit,” said another wildlife SOS official narrating the condition of snakes.
On frequent findings of reptiles, wildlife experts said that with increasing urbanization, construction, shrinking habitats and loss of natural prey base, wildlife species are often forced to move into human settlements in search of easy prey.
“Very few snake species in Delhi are actually venomous and even these snakes will not attack until provoked or threatened. We are very glad that people have become so aware that they consider calling experts instead of trying to deal with the matter themselves, or worse, killing the snakes,” he added.
Earlier this month, a juvenile Red Sand Boa was rescued by the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit from Shahdara Metro Station, New Delhi. The snake is currently kept under observation. A 4 foot long cobra outside the officer's mess in Delhi Cantonment area also rescued.