Agra’s Monsoon Brings Out More Than 100 Snakes, Wildlife SOS Rescues All
Agra, July 18 (TNA) As the world celebrated World Snake Day on July 16, Wildlife SOS highlighted a growing monsoon concern — rising human-snake conflict in urban India. This year alone, between June and mid-July, Wildlife SOS responded to over 100 snake rescue calls in Agra and surrounding areas.
With heavy rains flooding their natural habitats, snakes are increasingly being forced to venture out of their burrows and find shelter in human-dominated spaces such as homes, schools, warehouses, and even public parks, triggering panic among residents. However, growing public awareness means more citizens are calling the Wildlife SOS helpline (+91 9917109666) instead of harming the snakes.
“Over the years, we have seen a visible shift in people’s attitudes toward snakes,” said Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS. “Instead of reacting out of fear, people are now seeking safe and humane solutions. This change is not just encouraging, it is essential for the survival of these ecologically critical reptiles.”
Between June and mid-July, Wildlife SOS documented the following rescues:
34 Indian rat snakes
23 spectacled cobras
21 common wolf snakes and several others – all displaced due to flooding and habitat disruption.
Geeta Seshamani, Co-founder and Secretary, Wildlife SOS, said, “Snakes play an irreplaceable role in our ecosystems, particularly in controlling rodent populations and maintaining balance in the food chain. World Snake Day is not just about admiration; it is about education. Understanding and respecting these creatures is the first step for peaceful coexistence.”
Baiju Raj M.V, Director- Conservation Projects for Wildlife SOS and a herpetologist, added, “Snakes are often misunderstood and wrongly labelled as aggressive or deadly. In reality, most species are non-venomous and avoid human contact unless provoked. The increase in rescue calls shows that awareness campaigns and community outreach are working, but there’s still a long way to go.”
Wildlife SOS continues to urge the public to remain calm and immediately report snake encounters on its emergency helpline. The organisation also conducts awareness workshops to debunk myths and promote safe coexistence between humans and snakes.