A six-foot long snake was rescued from Delhi University on Tuesday. The unusual visitor at South Campus was identified by Wildlife SOS as a non-venomous species known as diadem snake. It had taken refuge inside an electrical box.
“The snake was discovered coiled up in an electric box. Startled at seeing a large snake entangled in wires, the University faculty and students called up the Police Control Room, which, in turn, informed us on our helpline 9871963535,” said Wildlife SOS co-founder and CEO Kartick Satyanarayan.
The helpline immediately dispatched a rapid response team to help remove the snake safely. Mr. Kartick added monsoons attract frogs and snakes become active to look for frogs. Diadem snakes are non-venomous and strikingly beautiful, with a bright crimson and black head, and a mottled yellow and black body. They are harmless, but will hiss loudly. They also do a mock strike if cornered or attacked.
Snakes in India are largely misunderstood and people often panic when one is sighted due to mythical beliefs. Snakes are biological health-keepers of our cities; without them, we would be overrun by rats and associated diseases.
Wildlife SOS co-founder Geeta Seshamani said: “The shy snake perhaps found the electricity box a safe place to hide, away from the bustling University campus. Unfortunately, it got tangled up in wires and suffered some minor injuries. ”
The snake will be provided treatment and then released in the wild.
