Around 43 snakes were rescued from various parts of the city and its outskirts by members of several animal welfare organisations who conducted a snake rescue drive on Monday on the occasion of Nag Panchami. Among the snakes rescued were 42 baby cobras and 1 rat snake.
According to members of the Bharatiya Prani Mitra Sangh, an animal welfare association, most of the snakes rescued on Monday were from areas like Dhoolpet, Esamia Bazaar, Shalibanda and Champapet.
“Many baby cobras rescued were found completely dehydrated and very weak. The rescued snakes will be handed over to the AP Forest officials for treatment,” said Mahesh Agarwal, member of the sangh. Volunteers will continue the rescue drive on Tuesday to save snakes from snake charmers. “We are also keeping an eye on bus and railway stations. A special team will focus on vulnerable areas in the city. Most of the snake charmers that we caught were from the districts and from north,” said D. Partha Sarathi of the organisation, Friends of Snakes.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh forest officials on Monday arrested P. Raju and K. Rama Rao, residents of Nizamabad district, while they were selling a scorpion and the teeth of wild boar at Balamrai Crossroads.