A total of 156 snakes that were captured from Tamil Nadu News Print Limited (TNPL) area at Kagithapuram in Karur district were released into the forest area at Kolli Hills here on Wednesday.
Since a large number of snakes were found in the bushes on the premises and its surrounding areas, the TNPL administration approached the Irula Snake-Catchers Industrial Cooperative Society in Kanchipuram district for catching them. A 10-member team, led by its president Jeyakumar, began catching snakes in the area from May 25 to June 7. The team caught 156 snakes and they were kept protected and fed properly. On Wednesday, the team released the snakes into the forest in Kolli Hills.
The society members, who follow their family business of catching snakes, told reporters here that after obtaining permission from the Forest Department they used to catch snakes and release them into forests.
Of the total snakes caught, 33 were Russell’s Viper, and Saw-scaled viper, considered most venomous.
Most of the snakes were found in residential areas.
When asked about the first-aid that can be given to a snake bite victim, Mr. Jeyakumar said that blood should be allowed to flow out from the snake bite area freely. The victim should not be allowed to walk or transported to hospital in bicycle, instead autorickshaws and cars should be used, he added.
