Rat snake rescued from DU college

An unexpected visitor caused a stir at Delhi University’s Shivaji College on Wednesday afternoon.

The students and staff of the Raja Garden-based college panicked after spotting the nearly 5-foot-long rat snake on campus. The reptile was rescued by the Wildlife SOS rapid response unit and is currently under observation.

Administration officer Hemant Lamba said: “Some students saw the snake in the lawn and immediately informed us. We alerted the NGO on its 24-hour helpline[9871963535]. As suggested by the NGO, we kept a close eye on the snake’s movements and whereabouts from a safe distance till a two-member team arrived.”

The team carried out a successful rescue operation, much to the relief of the students and staff members.

The team then rescued another rat snake from a house in Lajpat Nagar’s Jal Vihar Colony. Both snakes are currently under observation.

Wildlife SOS co-founder Kartick Satyanarayan said: “Very few snake species in Delhi are actually venomous and even they will not attack until provoked or threatened. Though harmless, rat snakes are swift and easily excitable, and may bite if threatened. Therefore, there is need to exercise caution while carrying out such rescues.”