Global News - August 2007

< Back to Global News

Snakes saved in India ahead of festival

Mon 20 August 2007 18:00 UK — Asia

Indian wildlife officials and local activists combined over the weekend (August 17th - 19th) to save a number of rare snakes ahead of a major festival.

According to a report in The Hindu, raids in the Hyderabad region rescued over 80 snakes from people who planned to use the reptiles in the Nagpanchami festivities.

Experts said that 'snake mafias' operated in Mumbai and Hyderabad in the run up to the religious festivals. These groups captured snakes, defanged them and then rented them out during the event.

However, Mahesh Agarwal, a representative from a local wildlife group, told the paper that collective action in the area helped to curb the practice.

"Through collective action, we have been able to curtail considerably the practice of catching snakes for worship," he explained.

"The snakes would be starved for over a month. We even found snakes with their mouths sewn. Some of them would stink due to undigested milk."

The paper reports that the uninjured snakes would be released immediately into the wild. Those in need of treatment will be taken to a local refuge.

< Back to Global News   |   Read IAR News

Read IAR News >