Snake rescuers hurt in mishap, NGO calls it hit job by smugglers

The rescued rock python

Two young men suffered grievous injuries after a vehicle hit their bike on Kalanagar bridge in Bandra East, minutes after they had rescued a rock python that had been cut, sewn and painted to give it the appearance of a red sand boa. The rescuers' NGO has alleged that the accident was an attempt by snake smugglers to take away the reptile. It has demanded a detailed probe.

Sources said the Bandra police were informed that a rare species of snake would be sold at 8 o'clock on December 5 and it had been kept in an ambulance in front of Bhabha Hospital. The cops reached the spot and sought the help of Daksh Mukesh Beradiya and Sidharth Kambke from non-profit Wildlife Animal Protection and Rescue Association.

Daksh Mukesh Beradiya and Sidharth Kambke

The snake was kept in a sack. At first glance, it looked like a red sand boa, but the rescuers soon found that it was a rock python. They rescued the snake.

"The tail was cut and an attempt was made to give it the shape of the snake's mouth by sewing it with thread. The boys were going to give the snake to the Thane forest office. Just then, I got a call from a friend the two had met with an accident," said Atul Kamble, secretary of the NGO.

Kamble said when he called his boys, both 18 years of age, another person answered it. "The person on the spot said a speeding car rammed into their bike and the two are in serious condition." He said the two are being treated at a private hospital in Chembur, but Kambke is still critical. Kamble said the accident was a plan by the snake smugglers who wanted to take the python. "The smugglers' plan failed due to the presence of people and police at the accident spot. I have requested the Bandra police to register an FIR and investigate the matter." For now, the police have made a diary entry of the incident.

The python is being treated by Dr Sunetra Wadke Rane SARRP INDIA. Its founder and president Santosh Shinde said, "The snake's condition is not good. Its survival rate is very less."

An officer from Bandra police station said, "CCTV footage showed a person keeping the sack with the snake in the ambulance. Later, we found that the same person had tipped the control room about the snake. He has switched off the number. Our probe in on."