Poachers held, 33 snakes recovered from city temples

The Times of India , Thursday, August 13, 2015
Correspondent : TNN
AGRA: The forest department, in collaboration with the NGO Wildlife SOS, seized 33 snakes from endangered species from poachers in raids at three prominent city temples today. The poachers were allegedly masquerading as snake charmers and duping devotees into giving them alms, officials said.

Based on a tip-off from an informant, a Wildlife SOS team from Agra was deployed in the early hours of Monday morning at various temples to carry out a joint anti-poaching operation with the forest department. The joint team also included police officials.

Baiju Raj MV, director, conservation projects, Wildlife SOS, who facilitated the operation told TOI, "The haul included 27 cobras whose fangs and venom glands had been gouged out, as well as four rat snakes, which are non-venomous, but had their mouths stitched. A python and a red sand boa were also recovered."

Dr. Ilayaraja S., senior veterinarian with Wildlife SOS, who examined and treated the snakes said, "The fangs of the cobras had been broken and their venom glands gouged out, while the mouths of the other snakes had been stitched. It was a very complicated surgical procedure for us as we had to remove the stitches from the reptiles' mouths, which was a delicate process, and also check them for infections or other injuries."

KK Singh, DFO Agra, said, "Capturing snakes and using them for display and entertainment is banned and a jailable offence under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Awareness regarding the illegality of the offense and the abominable treatment of these animals is incredibly important to curb cruelty and poaching of wildlife."

The snakes will be kept under observation to see if they will be able to survive in the wild, following which they will be released.

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/Poachers-held-33-snakes-recovered-from-city-temples/articleshow/48458210.cms
 


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