I was appalled to read the report, “Getting wrapped by anaconda to help conserve big snakes” (some editions, Jan.3), which was more an attempt to give space to a reckless adventurist who is passing off a publicity stunt as an “effort to save the millions of acres of Amazonian rainforest and to protect the anaconda.” This is nothing but a commercially motivated stunt by a TV channel which also spells publicity to Mr. Rosolie. The scientific and naturalist community is right in criticising such a thoughtless act, which only imperils the welfare and the life of the wild anaconda, a species that the “conservationist and writer” claims to be protecting. It is good that India has strict wildlife protection laws which do not permit the carrying out of such stunts on Indian wildlife, or else we would have had such “saviours” descending in the hordes to “save” our pythons and elephants. The report only shows why the media must be careful about highlighting such unethical practices which will only help mislead readers.
Sarath Champati,Bengaluru
