The trend of posting photographs and videos with snakes “in different poses to look macho and be labelled as snake friends”, makes such people the biggest threat to these reptiles: Kedar Bhide
Following the arrests of television actors Shruti Ulfat and Pearl Puri along with two production managers, the Maharashtra Forest Department has made its intent clear on recreational snake handling. Officials of the department said anyone ‘mishandling’ snakes for taking photos and videos or performing stunts with them will be dealt with as per the law.
Following the arrests on Wednesday, activists raised questions on countless such videos doing rounds on social media where people, including self-proclaimed ‘snake rescuers’ are seen performing stunts with snakes.
“We will not spare anyone against whom we receive complaints. The Anti-Poaching staff, responsible for acting against such offenders, will also pro-actively screen social media and gather information on people posting their photographs or videos with snakes,” Sunil Limaye, Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF), Thane Territorial, said.
“Capturing a snake, posing with it or putting it around the neck and performing other stunts amounts to cruelty, and is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. We want to tell people indulging in such acts to stop or be ready to face action,” Limaye said.
People can report such instances to the Maharashtra State Forest department on helpline 1926.
Herpetologist Kedar Bhide, Founder President of Reptile Rescue and Study Centre (RRSC), said in the last three months three people died owing to snake bites while manhandling or performing stunts with them. The most recent is that of so-called ‘rescuer’ Somnath Mhatre on February 2 when he was trying to kiss a snake’s head.
“What’s disconcerting is that most of those bitten called themselves snake rescuers. There’s an urgent need for a Standard Operating Procedure on snake rescue, which should also make unnecessary snake handling and performing stunts punishable,” he said.
The trend of posting photographs and videos with snakes “in different poses to look macho and be labelled as snake friends”, makes such people the biggest threat to these reptiles, Bhide said.
Meanwhile, a snake rescuer, who did not wish to be named, said that the forest department’s anti-poaching unit was lackadaisical in taking action. If five or six such people are arrested, it will act as a major deterrent,” he said.
CASE UPDATE
On Thursday, Shruti Ulfat, Pearl Puri, Nitin Solanki and Utkarsh Bali secured bail for 15,000 after the Borivali court ordered judicial custody till February 16. “They said they were unaware of the rules,” said Santosh Kank, Range Forest officer, Thane Territorial wing. Forest officers have launched a manhunt to nab the person who brought the reptile.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Pictures with snakes")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}