Snake Whisperer
Despite their many benefits, snakes are killed indiscriminately RAHUL ALVARES Is a wildlife consultant in Goa PEOPLE CALL ME a “snake rescuer” and I’ve always considered the term in its literal sense: I rescue snakes from people. Human beings are much bigger, stronger, far more intelligent, armed with opposable thumbs and able to wield weapons like rakes, bats, coconut palms and choppers with ease — enough to smash a legless reptile. Venomous though a cobra may be, it does not stand a chance against humans. Over the last few decades we’ve added to our munitions, deadly chemical weapons like Baygon sprays, toilet acid and other insecticides. When humans do get hit back, we have an efficient antidote in snake antivenin, which can save our lives. Snakes have no such defence against humans. So when I do pull out a massive cobra from under someone’s bed, I d...