The Fire Brigade Department in Nalasopara has been accused of cruelty against rescued snakes. The accusation comes from the Honorary Wildlife Warden of Palghar, Vaishali Chawan.
Chawan went on to say that although the Nalasopara Fire Brigade Department has rescued several snakes from the region, they haven’t released them into the wild. She went on to say that the rescued snakes were stored in plastic bottles for about a month, with no food.
“I have a few friends who rescue snakes in Nalasopara and they recently sent me pictures of snakes rescued by the fire brigade. I was shocked to see the inhuman treatment meted out to them.”
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Some snakes were reportedly injured and even showed signs of maggot injuries, Chawan said. The Honorary Wildlife Warden of Thane, Pawan Sharma said, “There is a state-wide SOP for rescue, treatment, rehab and release of snakes easily available online.”
A Fire Brigade official from the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation mentioned that snakes captured in their regions were sent back to the wild at the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is learnt that the Forest Department is currently prosecuting the so-called rescuers who claim that they work for the department. Moreover, these individuals are reportedly charging a fee from the people after the rescue.
The RFO (Range Forest Officer) at the Thane Forest Department (Territorial), Santosh Kank, said that these unaccredited rescuers sometimes use fake IDs to trick people. The RFO clarified that the department hasn’t issued IDs to rescuers, recommending citizens to stay wary of such individuals.
Also read - Maharashtra Gets Its 50th Wildlife Sanctuary In Kanhargaon
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