Culture

Venomous snake scares residents in South Delhi area

Residents of the quiet neighbourhood of Bhagirathi Vihar in South Delhi’s Gokulpuri area were in for a shock on Saturday morning when one of the most venomous snakes found in India was spotted there.

An alert local vendor spied the unusual-looking reptile near a canal and immediately informed the Wildlife SOS on its 24×7 emergency helpline number.

Describing the incident, the caller said: “My cart is stationed near the canal and while setting up shop for the day, I heard an unfamiliar hissing sound behind me. After looking closely, I realised it was a snake and assumed that it was a python.”

The viper had moved to a discarded armchair near the canal

The NGO’s two-member Rapid Response Unit reached the spot swiftly with the necessary rescue gear. In the meantime, the creature had made its way under a discarded armchair dumped on the side of the canal.

On closer inspection the team confirmed that the snake was Russell’s viper — one of the big four venomous snakes of India. The team took time and used extreme caution before nabbing the creature because the fangs of Russell’s viper are the largest in length among Indian snakes while they react violently on being picked up, and can bite with a snap.

The viper was carefully removed and put in a snake bag. Measuring 4 feet, it is at present under observation and will be released in the wild soon.

The rescued snake measured 4 feet in length

Talking about the rescue operation, Wasim Akram the NGO’s Deputy Director- Special Projects said: “The Russell’s viper is found across the Indian subcontinent except for parts of the north and north-eastern states, and inhabits forested as well as agricultural areas. It can be identified generally with their yellowish-brown body colour and dark blotches, but they do have pattern variations.”

The snake is named after Patrick Russell, who played a vital role in identifying the snakes in India and is protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The venom of this snake is cytotoxic as it mostly affects the cells and tissues and its main diet includes rodents, small mammals and birds.

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

VINBAX 2024: Vietnam-India bilateral army exercise concludes at Kaushalya Dam

The fifth edition of the historic Indo-Vietnam Joint Field Training Exercise, VINBAX-2024, successfully concluded its…

9 hours ago

India-Russia strengthen defence ties at 22nd Working Group meeting on military technical cooperation

The 22nd meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Military technical cooperation and defence industry…

9 hours ago

“I want to have strong representation of India at World Nuclear Exhibition 2025”: Sylvie Bermann

Sylvie Bermann, President of the World Nuclear Exhibition expressed confidence in India's nuclear supply chain…

10 hours ago

PoJK: Joint Awami Action Committee protests against government following new ordinance, many injured

Joint Awami Action Committee core member Shaukat Nawaz Mir has condemned the attack of police…

10 hours ago

PM Modi meets 31 world leaders, heads of organisations during his 3-nation foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 Bilateral Meetings and informal interactions with global leaders…

13 hours ago

India- Australia conduct 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks

India and Australia conducted the 11th edition of the Indian Air Force and Royal Australian…

13 hours ago