Rahul Dravid had said he would adopt a king cobra two years ago, but other than taking the adoption form, hasn't done anything about it
Rahul Dravid had said he would adopt a king cobra two years ago, but other than taking the adoption form, hasn't done anything about itIN a tale of snaky proportions, former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid seems to have slithered away from his assurances.
Two years ago, Dravid is said to have promised the officials at Bannerghatta National Park that he would adopt one of the three king cobras that the park houses.
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Still waiting: Forest officials say they prefer to wait for Dravid since his example would create greater impact in awareness |
Dravid has however not contacted the park officials since and has left them thoroughly disappointed. "We are hopeful that Dravid will keep his word," said Venugopal, RFO (Range Forest Officer) Bannerghatta National Park.
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"He had assured us and had also taken details but hasn't adopted a cobra yet. He collected the applications to adopt the king cobra twice but more than two years have passed and we haven't heard from him," he added.
The park officials on the other hand have turned wildlife enthusiasts away more than once, even if they are willing to adopt the cobras
"I have been trying to adopt a cobra for quite some time but officials send me away every single time," said a wildlife expert, who didn't want his name to be revealed. "Instead of accepting my pleas, officials here say that Dravid will adopt them soon," he added.
King-in-waiting
"Officials aren't considering anyone else's proposal to adopt for Dravid's sake as they say he is keen on adopting them. But he hasn't done so for the last two years. With Dravid not keeping up his promise, the king cobras are neither adopted by him nor by any other wildlife enthusiast," said a source at Bannerghatta.u00a0u00a0
However officials still have hope. "We could have given these cobras up for adoption to the wildlife enthusiasts who've been eagerly volunteering to adopt them, but the example that will be set if Dravid does it cannot be replicated. That's why weu00a0 prefer to wait for him," Venugopal said.
The Dravids' say
However Rahul's mother, Pushpa Dravid said she was not aware of any such plan.
"I have no idea about it. I don't think he ever spoke about any such adoption plans, at least to us," she told MiD DAY.
