As monsoons finally hit Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), an increase in reptile sightings have become normal.
Recently, two snakes have been rescued from a temple and residential unit in the Capital vicinity.
A wolf snake from a temple and a full grown Indian Rock Python rescued by the Wildlife SoS team.
Heavy rains and thunderstorms have brought much needed respite from the sweltering heat in the national capital, but with the drains and culverts flooding up across the city, numerous snakes have been displaced from their homes, forcing them to seek shelter elsewhere.
In one such incident, a juvenile Wolf Snake (Lycodon aulicus) had taken up temporary shelter from the rains inside the Pracheen Kal Bhairav Mandir in Jhandewalan.
Concerned for their safety and that of the young snake, a two-member team rushed to the spot and proceeded to extricate the snake safely without causing it further stress. The snake was found in an exhausted state and is currently under observation.
In another corner of the city, a 5-feet-long Indian Rock Python also faced the brunt of rain, and found itself in the bathroom of a home in Indira Kalyan Vihar, Okhla Ph-1. The jhuggi (hut) was established atop a sluice that had flooded and the family was shocked to find the large python curled up amidst buckets. After they contacted the NGO’s emergency helpline, a rescue team arrived at the location and was able to successfully bring the python to safety.
The Wildlife SOS team also rescued another juvenile Wolf snake that was found in the garden of a home in Ashok Nagar, Ghaziabad.
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO Wildlife SOS said, “Operations involving snakes are highly sensitive. We have trained rescuers who are efficient and employ precautions so as to avoid causing further stress to the animal. We are glad to see that people are making a conscious decision to help out reptiles in distress by reporting such incidents to Wildlife SOS. We must remain sensitive towards animals in times like this. ”
Wasim Akram, Deputy Director - Special Projects, Wildlife SOS, said, “The monsoon has prompted a sudden increase in the appearance of snakes. As common shelters for these snakes are flooding, they are looking for safe and dry land, thus inadvertently being spotted in residential areas.”