Non-venomous snake rescued from Delhi metro station

A non-venomous Royal Snake was rescued on Friday by a team of Wildlife SOS from the Anand Vihar Metro Station.

According to the rescue team, the snake was found to be in good health and was released back into the wild. The reptile had taken shelter in the basement of the metro station.

"The snake was identified as a juvenile as it had pale brown patches and lacked the distinct irregular black markings that adult Royal Snakes have on their body," a member of the Wildlife SOS rescue unit told IANS.

The juvenile Royal Snake (Spalerosophis atriceps) also known as a diadem snake is non-lethal.

"Royal Snake is a non-venomous snake that is uncommonly found in India and is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972," said a Wildlife SOS spokesperson.

Vikram Lal, Senior Station Control officer at Anand Vihar metro station said, "A staff member discovered the snake in the basement and rushed to alert the rest of the officials at the station. The Wildlife SOS helpline number is on our emergency contact list, so we immediately called them for help."

The Wildlife SOS, a Delhi based NGO, runs a 24-hour rescue helpline at 9871963535. Every year hundreds of snakes are rescued in Delhi. Out of the numbers of snake species found in Delhi, only two, the common Cobra and common Krait, are venomous.

--IANS

kd/rn/bg