A seven-foot-long Indian Rock python was rescued by the Wildlife SOS team from the Air Force Station in Tughlakabad recently. The python is currently under observation and will be released into its natural habitat once deemed fit.
A release issued by the NGO noted: “With rain hitting Delhi, we find a large number of reptiles struggling to find shelter in the urban jungle. This monsoon brought a surprise visitor to the Air Force Station in Tughlakabad in form of a seven-foot-long Indian Rock python. The large constrictor was spotted outside the mess building by Air Force officials, who immediately reported the sighting to Wildlife SOS on its 24 hour helpline — 9871963535.”
A member of the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response team said, “We get maximum calls regarding reptile rescues during monsoon. In the past month, we have responded to nearly 100 distress calls pertaining to snakes and monitor lizards in Delhi-NCR.”
Habitat destruction
Geeta Seshamani, co-founder of Wildlife SOS, said, “Our task is to make people understand that their apprehensions about reptiles are ill-founded, and promote compassion and kindness towards the plight of these misunderstood beings.” She added that growing habitat destruction and encroachment is rapidly blurring the lines between cities and forests.
Consequently, the wildlife living in proximity to such expanding areas have no choice but to forage or seek shelter in urban habitats.
Most snakes are burrowing reptiles and they spend most of their time underground but during monsoons their homes get destroyed due to flooding and are forced to venture into human habitations, in search of rodents and lizards.
