The Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit saved two pythons from the National Power Training Institute (NPTI) campus in Badarpur, Delhi. The rescue took place on the same day after the pythons were spotted on the premises, causing concern among the staff.
The first call came when a staff member at NPTI spotted a 4-foot-long Indian rock python coiled inside the kitchen of the canteen. Upon receiving the alert, the Wildlife SOS team immediately responded. “The snake was found motionless on the kitchen slab, and our team carefully extricated it without causing any stress to the animal,” said a spokesperson from Wildlife SOS.
Shortly after, the team was called to another location within the NPTI campus, where a second python, measuring 5 feet, was discovered in the backside garden. The two snakes were rescued within hours of each other and were safely transported to a rehabilitation facility for observation. Once they are deemed fit, they will be released back into the wild.
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, explained the cause of the unexpected encounters. “As Delhi’s temperature is gradually dropping, snakes are seeking shelter in human habitations. One reason for this behavior is that their natural shelters, like burrows and dens, are being degraded due to rapid urbanization. Snakes cannot regulate their body temperature and rely on these refuges, which is why they are moving into urban infrastructure.”
The recent rescues come amid a growing trend of snakes entering urban areas in search of warmth and shelter. While reptiles often evoke fear, Wildlife SOS has been working to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these creatures. Suvidha Bhatnagar, Director of Communications at Wildlife SOS, emphasized the importance of community cooperation in such situations. “There is always a lingering fear and misconception about reptiles, but through our rescue efforts, we are helping citizens understand and coexist with them more peacefully. These efforts, combined with awareness campaigns, have significantly reduced the harm done to snakes.”
Wildlife SOS praised the staff at NPTI for their quick action in contacting the helpline, ensuring the safety of both the snakes and the people on campus. The two pythons are now under observation and will soon be released back into their natural habitat, where they belong.
This rescue highlights the ongoing challenges posed by urbanization and the growing need for awareness and education about the behavior of wildlife in rapidly developing areas.
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