A red sand boa was rescued by Wildlife SOS at Tughlakabad Air Force station as it tried to escape a troop of inquisitive monkeys ( Rhesus macaque ).
The snake, suffering only minor scratches, will be released at a safer location in its natural habitat soon. The rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday.
“A staff member at the Tughlakabad Air Force station spotted a rather large snake struggling to escape a raucous group of monkeys in the courtyard of the officers’ mess. Having called Wildlife SOS previously regarding cobras and other wild animals on the premises, the officer immediately called our helpline 9871963535,” noted Wildlife SOS co-founder Kartick Satyanarayan.
“Rhesus macaques are highly intelligent mammals. When they spot a snake, their natural instinct kicks in and they try to eliminate what they perceive to be a threat. The snake was trying to escape, but its large size prevented it from getting too far. When the rescue team arrived, four monkeys were attacking it,” said Mr. Satyanarayan.
A member of the rescue team noted that the snake was probably the largest sand boa they have encountered recently.
“The snake got stuck in the hole while trying to escape. Red sand boas are non-venomous reptiles. It had sustained only few superficial wounds. It is under observation at the Wildlife SOS Gurgaon centre,” he said.
