85 snakes and eight parakeets rescued in city

The persistent efforts of the A P Forest Department, Friends of Snakes Society, Bharatiya Prani Mitra Sangh, People For Animals and other Animal welfare groups has resulted in reduction in the number of snake charmers coming to the city. This year, approximately 85 snakes were rescued during Nagapanchami by all the groups, of which 36 snakes were seized by the Friends of Snakes Society. Of the thirty six snakes seized by the group, thirty three were Spectacled Cobras, one Rat snake, a Common Sand Boa and a Red Sand Boa.

All the snakes are being treated for severe dehydration and excessive mutilation and injuries. After they recover fully and once they are found to be fit for release, the A P Forest Department would make necessary arrangement for their relocation to the wild. During Nagapanchami, the organisation also seized 8 parakeets from fortune tellers. The injured and the wing-clipped birds have been handed over to Nehru Zoo for further treatment.

All the rescued cobras were defanged and most of them had their mouths stitched. Because of this torturous regime, most of the snakes were found to have fungal infections and mouth rot. In certain snakes, the mouth rot spread all the way to their eyes, blinding them. To make matters worse, the 'kumkum and haldi', sprinkled on the snakes created severe skin irritation.

"In the name of worship, people fail to hear the silent cries of these mute-beings, struggling with a throbbing pain from every inch of their body," said Avinash, founder of FOS.