8 pythons caught in residential areas let into Krishnagiri forest

Forest Ranger K Nagesh said that they have rescued about 67 pythons and 126 other snakes, including the poisonous cobra and russell’s viper in three months. 

All of them were rescued from neighbourhood houses and released into the forest. “It is a usual phenomenon for snakes to come out of their burrows during the monsoon season, when water flows into their habitat. It happens particularly when many dry rivulets begin to bear water flow in the forests following rains causing snakes to come out and venture into residential areas,” he said. 

The forest department official also said that there is an increase in the number of snake rescue calls due to awareness among the public. “Unlike before, people restrain from killing the snakes and instead take our help to rescue them and shift them to a different place,” said Nagesh.  However, the official cautioned people against handling snakes without proper training as it might prove dangerous.