With the onset of the monsoon and a fortnight of rains, the number of snakes slithering though storm-water drains and reaching people’s homes and offices has increased. In the last two weeks alone, 27 BBMP volunteers have each received close to 50 calls a day from citizens.
Snake-catchers and wildlife rescue experts, who have volunteered their services with the BBMP, have been receiving calls from worried and sometimes panic-stricken citizens who complain of finding snakes in their washing machines or coiled in kitchen sinks.
Most of them are hatchlings or young ones.
“The eggs laid by female snakes usually hatch as rains commence. Unlike adult snakes that are cautious about approaching humans, baby snakes would not have fully developed sensory functions. Hence, they are found everywhere,” says C.S. Nagabhusana, a snake rescue volunteer with the BBMP.
In the past two weeks, he has attended to about 40 calls nearly every day from citizens in the Mahadevpura zone.
It’s a marked increase from the average 15 calls in summer and around five or fewer calls in winter, he said
“Earlier, we used to get around 20 calls a day, out of which 18 would be fake calls, by people who have simply sighted a snake in a tree or a wall. Only when it is inside the house do we attend to the call. However, in the past two weeks, we have been getting close to 50 genuine calls. There has been a case when we rescued 23 hatchlings or young snakes at once. Last week, we caught 18 hatchlings or young snakes at once,” said Sanjeev, another BBMP volunteer who operates in Kanakapura. Apart from storm-water drains, garbage black spots and vacant sites that have become illegal dumping grounds are attracting rodents, insects and snakes.
“I get around 50 calls a day,” says Mohan K., who heads the Quick Animal Rescue Team.
“We do not attend to all calls. More often than not, a snake usually leaves the way it comes. It is only when it enters a person’s home and is unable to leave that we step in,” he added. Most snakes are not harmful, and the common advice is to keep calm if you see one.
Avoid attracting snakes
Keep surroundings clean
Clean water and drain pipes regularly
Manage waste efficiently
Don’t dump garbage indiscriminately
Garbage draws insects and rats, which attract snakes
Don’t allow thick bushes near drains
Don’t allow creepers near your house. Snakes can climb up to 10 storeys if it gets a vine or support from plants
In you encounter a snake…
* Snakes don’t attack unless provoked
* They can’t hear
* But can feel vibrations; avoid sudden movement
* If found inside a home, do not lock the house or room
* Let it be until experts arrive
* Snakes have a strong sense of smell
* They will usually exit by the route they entered unless they get confused by other smells
Who to call for help
* BBMP control room
* Contact number 080-22221188
* Quick Animal Rescue Team
* QART numbers: 9845080903, 9844037424
