MUMBAI: It’s been so far so good this monsoon. Less rain has meant fewer hassles for Mumbaikars, and has also reduced the number of snake rescues, making animal welfare organisations happy.
“We usually receive a large number of calls reporting snake sightings every monsoon. Most people don’t know how to react on spotting a snake. Their immediate instinct is to kill the reptile, and this entails the danger of the snake biting them in self-defence,” said Nilesh Bhanage, general secretary, Plant and Animal Welfare Society (PAWS-Thane). He added that the number of snake rescues dropped from 40 last monsoon to just four this time.
The Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) had rescued 50 snakes following the deluge last year, and a total of 63 snakes in June and July 2005.
“But this year has seen a sharp fall in the number. We have rescued only 16 snakes so far,” said Sunil Ranade, snake handler, BSPCA, adding that the snakes rescued included Checkered Keelback, Rat Snake, Indian Cobra, Striped Keelback, Russel Viper and Python.
Similarly, Arvind Shah, founder-trustee of Karuna, another NGO, reported 30 snake rescues last year. “We have handled only 20 rescue cases so far,” said Shah.
Snake experts in the city attribute the lack of snake sightings to the fact that the city had not got too much rainfall this year. The snakes hibernate in holes under the ground. During heavy rains, these holes get flooded, forcing the snakes to come out of their hiding place, explained a snake expert.
“Last year’s rain was unprecedented, and resulted in so many snakes being rescued,” said Dr K. Batwe, Chief Veterinary Wildlife officer.
Volunteers from People for Animals (PFA), another animal welfare NGO, rescued 12 snakes from the area around Airport colony, Kalina last year.
“This year, we have rescued just six snakes in the past two months,” said Dharmesh Solanki, managing trustee, PFA.
