A Russell's viper.
Credit: File Photo
Snake rescuers have issued a slew of precautions, following the death of a 41-year-old software engineer, who died in the city recently owing to a snake bite (the snake was found in his shoe). They caution people against leaving covered objects like shoes out in the open.
Speaking to DH, Prasanna Kumar A, President of Wildlife Conservation Society, said, “Shoes resemble the burrows of snakes and hence they are to be found there. Residents in independent houses are more prone to snake attacks than those living in apartments.”
They said that it is the breeding or hatching season of snakes, especially cobras and Russell vipers. The snakelet searches for food and warm places and they end up in shoes and any closed space. The snakelets are venomous and enough to kill humans. “It is a myth that snakelets are not capable of killing people. They are equally dangerous,” said another snake rescuer.
Rescuers caution that people must not overlook taking precautions. “People are mostly unaware of the actions that must be taken when they spot a snake in their premises. Some try to catch it by themselves and end up getting bitten,” said Hari, a snake rescuer in the city.
However, in apartment complexes, snakes have become a persistent uninvited guest. “In apartments, they call rescuers only once or twice, other times security guards or gardeners try to catch it themselves. They are not aware of the right way to catch these reptiles. So, the next call we get is when they are bitten,” said Das, a snake rescuer.
“The surroundings from the places we rescue snakes are more open or dirtier where you typically find unused shoes, cardboard boxes and other such materials that attract snakes,” said Snake Shivu, a rescuer.
Vidya Goggi, a ward committee member for JC Nagar and a part of the Whitehouse Association, said, there is hardly any information available on how to act when you spot a snake. “When we spot a snake, all we do is give a call to BBMP,” she added.
Software engineer dies of snake bite
A 41-year-old software engineer died of a snake bite in Anekal on Sunday. The deceased, identified as Manju Prakash, was a resident of Bannerghatta. According to sources, the Russell Viper that bit Prakash was hiding in his crocs.
Prakash had suffered an accident a few years ago and as a result, his legs had turned numb owing to which, he could not feel the snake bite. Since he could not feel the bite, immediate treatment could not be given and he is said to have died after sometime.
The post mortem was conducted in Anekal Government Hospital and the reports confirmed that he died of snake bite.
What should you do?
1. Do not attempt to catch snakes by yourself. Immediately call the fire brigade or snake rescuers.
Prasanna Kumar- 99027 94711
Das- 99649 17651
2. Do not kill the snake as it is punishable under law.
3. After calling the rescuers, make sure to keep an eye on the movement of the snake while maintaining at least 10 feet distance.
4. Be careful in using open shoe stands or better avoiding those.
5. Ensure that the neighborhood is clean, as junk attracts snakes.