Wildlife S.O.S runs
the only 24-hour Reptile Rescue Cell in the
National Capital Regio
n
(NCR) areas of India, which includes urban metropolitan hubs like Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon.
As a result of Wildlife S.O.S's efficient and prompt rescue efforts over the past decade, the City's Police
Control Room diverts the Wildlife Rescue calls they receive to our Headquarters in Delhi.
On an average, Wildlife S.O.S gets more
than 300 Reptile Rescue calls to attend to every month.
Our rescue team consists of experienced snake handlers
who are equipped with snake hooks and boxes
to ensure that every Reptile (Snake, Monitor Lizards) is rescued in the msot efficient and professional manner thereby ensuring that the rescue operations are done with minimal stress being caused to the animal.
Once rescued,
the reptile is brought to our Delhi Headquarters and/or taken to Wildlife S.O.S's Wildlife Rescue Centre in Gurgaon.
The measurements of the rescued reptile are then taken. If the rescued reptile is found to be
injured or its health status is deemed unsatisfactory, it
is provided proper veterinary care and treatment. Soon thereafter arrangements
are made and proper permissions acquired from
the concerned authorities to release the snakes
into a habitat well suited to them. The release is done in the presence
of Representatives of the Forest/Wildlife department.
Most
of the snakes rescued from the Snake Charmers
suffer from severe dehydration. Some of
the rescued snakes have badly
infected mouths as a result of the improper
and unhygienic techniques employed by the Snake Charmer to remove
their fangs and venom glands. Often, it has
been seen that the mouths of Pythons have been tied with small plastic ropes to ensure that
they do not bite when they are taken out by the Snake Charmer for
display on roadsides to beg for money from the general public.
Please note: Injuring or harming a Snake/Monitor Lizard is a punishable offence since
they are protected under the Indian Wildlife
Protection Act of 1972.