The rescue operators

Om and Deepika started learning the skill of catching snakes a couple of years back. They used to accompany their father on his rescue missions and would also learn more about the snakes that he got home after rescuing them. According to Dubal,the main skill required for catching a snake is quickness and quietness. “The quieter you are while moving towards a snake,the less agitated it will be and then it is just a matter of your quickness and reflexes that help you in easily catching the reptile,” he says. He started training his children by familiarising them with the different types of snakes and giving them information regarding each kind – like if a snake is poisonous or not,what irritates a particular species and what senses the snake uses the most,like the King Cobra’s vision is very good. All this knowledge regarding different snake species was vocational training for the two children and it now helps them while catching snakes. Today,Deepika has grown so experienced and confident that she catches snakes even if her father is not around.

“We use a snake catching stick for poisonous snakes. For non-poisonous snakes,we sometimes use our bare hands,” says she. These kids have never been bitten by a snake during the process of catching and rescuing them.

Deepika,who has entered the profession at such a young age,says they catch only three species of snakes – Cobra,Russel’s viper and Rat snakes – which are found in Pune and adjoining districts. After rescuing the snakes,they leave them at the Katraj Zoo or in the wild after taking permission from the forest department. Ask if they ever feel nervous or scared,and Deepika very confidently says,“I am not scared of snakes. I like snakes and want to help them by rescuing them and leaving them in the zoo or the forest.”

Deepika is now quite fond of her skill and wants to pursue it as a profession. “I want to grow up and become a professional snake catcher and also study more about snakes and reptiles and help the cause of the species. I also want to help in developing antidotes using snake venom,” she outlines her aims. Even Om wants to follow in her footsteps.

Dubal stresses that snakes are harmless unless threatened. “Snakes may not be man’s best friends,but they are harmless if treated properly and not threatened or harmed,” he says. He feels terrible when snakes are killed because they accidentally come in people’s way. “It’s a request not to treat them as your enemy,instead just call the nearest snake catcher,” he urges.

These snake lovers have shown their passion for the reptiles by dedicating their lives to the protection of snakes. Their efforts,they hope,will set an example towards saving our land’s bio diversity.