Cobras, boa among 5 snakes seized from two charmer

Times of India
January 7,2008

Five snakes were rescued from snake charmers in two separate incidents in south Delhi’s posh Vasant Vihar area over the past 48 hours. Among the reptiles seized by NGO Animal Savior were two cobras, a red sand boa, a rat snake and a diadem snake.
“On Sunday we received a call from a vasant vihar resident who said that a snake charmer was roaming in the colony. He displayed the reptiles, taking me to be a customer. I had to literally snatch the bag from him and he fled only when I threatened to call the police,” explained Gautam Grover, managing trustee, Animal Savior.
In the other incident that took place on Saturday, Grover seized a red sand boa from a snake charmer in the Basant Lok area.
Describing the state of the rescued snake, Kartick Satyanarayan. of Wildlife SOS said: “with damaged jaws, broken teeth, punctured venom glands and fangs extracted the cobras are in a pathetic state and their chances of survival are remote. Since the other snakes are non-venomous, their condition is slightly better.”
Snakes are ectothermic or cold-blooded creatures whose body temperatures adjust to their environs. Witness, explained Kartick, are the worst season for them since their meatabolic rates are lowest. “Snakes usually hibernate once temperatures fall.
They eat less and are less active. But charmers are not aware of this,” added Kartick.
Grover said: “People should not encourage such shows. Charmers defang snakes and keep them in pathetic conditions. This reduces their chances of survival by 75-80%.”
Added Karetick: “Snakes are endangered species and not only charmers but also those watching them perform are punishable under the Wildlife Act of India.
There is nothing to be proud of ‘Our’ snake charmers who lack compassion for these animals and leave them to die once their purpose is solved.”