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Mumbai: Predator and prey trapped after Russel viper and rat get stuck on glue trap

Both were rescued later by volunteer groups

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In yet another incident highlighting the perils of the rampant usage of glue traps, a one-and-a-half-foot long Russell's viper got stuck while trying to hunt a rat that incidentally was also stuck on the same glue trap.

Mahesh Ithape, a rescuer with Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW), said that he received a call from Director General Quality Assurance, Complex at Vikroli West informing about the snake around 10am on Wednesday. “I first asked them to send me a photograph of the snake so that i could identify if it’s a venomous or a non-venomous. As soon as they sent me the photograph, I identified it as the highly venomous Russel's Viper. I then instructed the the people to not touch the snake nor try to help it free as the snake could bite in defence,” he said.

After reaching the spot, Ithape using oil and water first safely managed to free the snake whose lower body was completely stuck on the glue trap along with it jaws and then even released the rat. “The snake had to be removed very carefully as handling a snake that is stuck and is covered with oil is not easy. Once it was freed, I rushed it to a veterinarian for treatment,” he informed.

Dr Deepa Katyal who treated the viper said that it was a juvenile snake and was lucky to have been rescued at the right time. “The lower jaw of the snake is thin and had it struggled any more, its skin might have peeled off. The rescuer also did a very good job while freeing this snake from the glue trap and ensured there was no damage to its skin. We have cleared all the glue from its skin and it is now healthy for release,” she said.

Honorary Wildlife Warden Pawan Sharma said that the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) had asked that these glue traps be discontinued as it was inhuman way of catching rodent and also dangerous for other animals getting caught. “In recent times we have rescued several animals and birds getting stuck on these glue traps including kingfisher, owls, squirrels and others and hence it is important that they be completely banned. While a combination of awareness and writing to authority will help, however in the long term only if people stop using it the problem can be completely resolved,” he said.

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