Karnataka - Bangalore   

Saving animals in distress

Sahana Charan

A NEW LIFE: The injured rat snake being treated. — PHOTO: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Bangalore: The land of information technology and hi-tech "gurus" once used to be a haven for a varied species of birds and animals. But at a time when respect for human life itself is scarce, these lesser creatures definitely do not stand a chance.

But the efforts of a few concerned citizens ensure that some of these creatures do not die a gory death. The Society for Wildlife, Education, Adventure and Research (SWEAR), a student volunteer organisation started by Rahmath Ataaz, Head of the Department of Zoology at the Al-Ameen College, two years ago is doing just that — helping people to become more aware of their surroundings and teaching them to become compassionate towards animals. The society has 50 members from various colleges in Bangalore.

Recently, Prof. Ataaz and his students rescued a rat snake (Ptyas mucosa), which was grievously injured near the Kogilu Lake in Yelahanka.

The male rat snake and its mate were reportedly performing a "courtship dance" in the vicinity of the lake and residents got frightened seeing the aggressive behaviour of the snakes and attacked them. The group from SWEAR, which often visits the lake to check pollution levels, was present there at the time. The members of the group noticed the commotion and managed to rescue one of the snakes.

"The female managed to escape but the male snake was hit by a sharp stick and was badly injured. It had a long cut on the belly and the intestines were exposed. It was profusely bleeding," said Prof. Ataaz. He said the injury was so bad that if the snake had been taken to a hospital it would have been too late.

"We took it to a nearby house and with a needle and thread stitched up the wound and later bandaged it. The wound healed in a week's time and it is ready to be released. But I am apprehensive that it would meet the same fate again," he added.

Prof. Ataaz said that people throw garbage and commercial waste near the lake and it is getting polluted and attracting rodents, and therefore, there are snakes that come to eat the rodents. But because of the pollution, the wildlife in and around the lake is diminishing.

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