Tanushree Roy Chowdhury l TNN
New Delhi 25 June 2007

New Delhi : Ram Kiledar, a resident of Mukherjee Nagar, was shocked to discover a six-and-a-hald feet long yellow rat snake in his backyard on Saturday morning. The sanke triggered panic among residents of the area also

   Said Kiledar, an IAS aspirant: “I noticed something moving in the lawn and on taking a closer look I saw a sanke slither behind one of the flower pots. Since I didn’t know whom to call, I immediately dialled 100. The police asked me to call the rescue team who were very prompt and reached my house soon after the call.”


   Many residents suggested killing the snake as they were fearful of the fact that the snake might attack someone before the rescue team reached there. Said a police official involved in the rescue operation: “The neighbours had gathered around the shrub where the snake was hidling by the time we reached. Fear and anxiety caused many to suggest killing the reptile to avoid it from harming humans. It was the perseverance of the police team which kept the crowd at bay,”

   But there were others who were fascinated by this rare sight in their neighbourhood. Said an ‘During monsoons, the snake holes get filled with water which forces them to come out and many times they get, killed by humans,’ Says a wildlife expert.

   Eyewitness, Manesh Sharma: “It was only when the snake moved towards a nearby shrub that I saw its size, it was taller than an everage human. I have never seen a snake this big and beautiful in my life.” Kartick Satyanarayan, cofounder of the Wildlife SOS said: “I would give credit to both the police and Kiledar for having helped us save the snake. Snakes in India are killed because of misconceptions and ignorance of their poisonous bite. These creatures are scared to humans and their instinct is to run. Most of the species of snakes found in India are non.venomous like this one. Snakes attack only if they are cornered or attacked.” The rat snake is usually two to four-and-a-half feet long.

   Satyanarayan added: “During monsoons the snake holes get filled with water which forces them to come out and many times they get killed by humans. Successful rescue operations like these give us immense encouragement and shows that Delhiites are still sensitive towards animals.” The snake is under observation with the wildlife SOS and would be released in the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary.

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