Hiss stories

On World Snake Day, NT BUZZ speaks to snake rescuers who step in during moments of panic to protect both people and snakes

RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT BUZZ

When a snake is spotted, local rescuers are the ones called in. Some are new to it, others have years of experience, but all share a common goal to protect snakes, keep people safe, and spread awareness. It’s a risky task they take on willingly, often while managing full-time jobs.

Diving deep into rescue

Lavito Rodrigues, 41, from Varca, for instance, is a full-time scuba diving instructor and a self-taught snake rescuer for over 12 years.

His rescue journey began in 2012. “I saw people killing snakes because forest staff couldn’t always reach on time. That’s when I decided to help,” he says, adding that his first rescue was a python which was about two meters long.

Rodrigues has no formal training. He learned by watching videos, reading books, and observing others. “It took time, but I picked it up. I’ve had a few non-venomous bites from pythons, but nothing serious,” he says.

His advice to the public is to take a photo of the snake and share it with a rescuer. “It helps identify the species quickly and prevents panic,” he says.

His family is concerned, as he is their only son, but they support him. “They don’t stop me. That’s enough.”

Rodrigues encourages people to understand the ecological role of snakes. “They don’t attack unless provoked. They help control pests. If people are open to it, I release non-venomous snakes nearby to maintain the balance,” he says.

A passion to help

For the past 12 years, Harish Chari, 39, from Taleigao has been rescuing snakes across Goa while managing a government job. He volunteers with the Animal Rescue Squad in Bicholim and responds to rescue calls in his free time.

His interest in snakes began as a child when he accompanied his uncle, a snake rescuer, on a call. “We rescued two pythons. I helped pull one out. That moment sparked something in me.”

To handle rescues more responsibly, Chari trained under rescuer Amrut Singh in 2011. “He taught me how to identify species, understand behaviour and use proper handling techniques.” He officially began rescuing snakes in 2012. While his family was  worried, over time, they began supporting him.

His first solo rescue was a small rat snake at his grandmother’s house in Mala. “My grandmother wanted to kill it, but I stopped her.”

Chari prepares for every rescue based on the caller’s input. “We ask about the species and location. If it’s stuck or inside a house, we carry the right tools and take steps to protect both the people and the snake.” He once received a minor bite from a python. “I got a tetanus shot immediately. Safety always comes first. I never talk on the phone or make videos during a rescue. You need full focus.” Chari urges people not to try handling snakes themselves. “If you see one, stay calm and call a trained rescue.”He believes more needs to be done for conservation. “We should restore natural habitats and ensure rescuers are properly trained.”

What motivates him is the trust people place in him. “This isn’t about money. I do it out of passion and to help people. As long as I’m alive, I’ll keep doing this.”

To the rescue

When a snake entered his neighbourhood and the snake rescuer was late, Fondu Rane from Morlem, decided he should learn to rescue snakes himself.

He carried out his first rescue in 2013 while still a student. “It was a Bronze-back tree snake. It bit me during the rescue and my hand was shaking with fear. But I knew it was non-venomous so I stayed calm and handled it,” he recalls.

Now 31, Rane has been rescuing snakes for over a decade, despite now working a full-time job.

Goa, he says, doesn’t have a dedicated snake rescue helpline, so most calls come through personal contacts or NGOs. “Since 2017, the Forest Department has hired rescuers on a daily-wage basis, but most calls still come to us directly.”

Rane handles rescues differently depending on the location. “I leave snakes alone in the forest but if they’re found in farmland and are non-venomous, I try to convince people not to harm them. If needed, I move them just outside the property.”

One of his most memorable rescues was a cobra found near a mud-walled house at night. “I had no torch, just a bulb someone was holding. When the cobra raised its hood, they ran off and I was left in the dark holding the snake. Since then, I always carry a torch.”

Rane received basic training through Amrut Singh’s Animal Rescue Squad, but most of his learning came from experience. “In the early years, I was bitten a few times by non-venomous snakes. Now I focus on ethical rescues that don’t stress the animal.”

Although his family was initially worried, they now support his work. “My job is risky,” he says, “but it helps save wildlife.”

From cobra to crocs

Since a young age, Aaron D’Souza, 24, has been fascinated by snakes and has spent over 12 years rescuing snakes and reptiles across Anjuna.

“My first rescue was a cobra. Holding it in my hands was an unforgettable experience,” he recalls. Though he juggles a busy schedule, he drops everything whenever he receives a call about a distressed reptile. “Helping these animals gives me more happiness as compared to anything else.”

D’Souza has no formal training and learned everything on his own. “It doesn’t matter whether a snake is venomous or not, I handle them all with care,” he says, adding that he has been bitten by pythons, crocodiles, and common snakes.

He urges people not to kill snakes out of fear. “Snakes usually don’t attack unless threatened. They only defend themselves. If you see one, don’t panic. Call a trained rescuer instead.”

While his family sometimes gets paranoid at the sight of large snakes, often bigger than him, he reassures, “It’s all part of the job. My family worries, but they support me.” He has also trained two young men in handling snakes so that they can step in when he is unavailable.

Looking ahead, he hopes to compile his rescue records and videos into a digital archive to raise awareness about reptile conservation.

Starting young

Nineteen-year-old Sahil Bhisso Gaonkar from Badsarem, Gaondongrim in Canacona became interested in wildlife in school, inspired by his geography teacher Devendra Tawadkar and a local rescuer. In 2023, he trained with two wildlife NGOs, Animal Rescue Squad (ARS) in Bicholim and Study and Awareness of Wildlife and Environment (SAWE) in Ponda, before starting rescue work.

His first rescue was a Whitaker’s boa that had fallen from a rooftop while hunting rats. Post that, Gaonkar began responding to rescue calls while still in school. For the past 10 months, he has been working with the Canacona Forest Department as a wildlife rescuer.

Among his most challenging rescues was an Indian cobra with its jaw stuck in a net. “It was painful to see. I called my friend Sahil Velip and together we freed it safely,” he recalls. Though he has been bitten by non-venomous snakes, he takes precautions. “We study the snake’s behaviour and use hooks and bags to stay safe.”

He also focuses on awareness. “We explain that killing a snake can attract others because of the hormone scent it leaves behind. People need to understand their role in the ecosystem.” And despite the dangers involved, he remains motivated by his love for nature. “I believe that saving animals and reptiles helps protect our environment, not just today, but for the future too.” His family, he says, fully supports and takes pride in his work.

The wildlife-rescuing professor

When he’s not teaching at Goa University, assistant professor of Zoology Dr. Nitin S. Sawant devotes his time to snake and wildlife rescue, a pursuit he has been involved in since 1997.

His interest was instilled in him by his friend Paresh Porob, who is assistant conservator of forests, Government of Goa. “My first rescue was a Green vine snake in Porvorim. It was amazing to handle it. These snakes are harmless and play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystems,” he shares.

Dr. Sawant credits his safety record to proper training, tools, and a deep understanding of reptile behaviour. “I’ve never been bitten. You need to handle them carefully, with the right techniques, and always stay alert to how the animal is reacting.”

His work goes far beyond rescue. He holds a PhD on venomous snakes and introduced a course on herpetofauna at Goa University. He completed a project titled ‘Herpetofauna of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka’, and is currently working on another titled ‘Evaluation of Ecosystem Functioning Using Herpetofauna as a Model System in Goa and Adjoining Areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka’. He is also part of the national initiative ‘Mission Snake Bite Death Free India’.

Initially, his family had concerns about his involvement in rescue work, since he is their only son. Over time, however, they came to support him

His motivation comes from passion, not recognition. “I do this because it brings me joy. I’ve received appreciation from the community but even without it, I’d still continue. Risk is part of life, far more people lose their lives to accidents and illness than to snakebites.”

For real impact, he believes policy needs to shift focus. “Rescue alone won’t help. We need to protect natural habitats for these animals to survive.”

It all began with a rat snake

In 2005, Alfred D’Mello accidentally stepped on a rat snake outside his home in Nagoa. The snake got entangled in a net and his panicking family called someone to kill it. “While disposing of the body, I felt something shift. I knew I had to do more,” says the 39-year-old.

Since then, D’Mello has been rescuing snakes across Goa. His first rescue was a Buff striped keelback hiding under roof tiles. “There was no expert around. I just acted on instinct.”

A former NIIT Panjim faculty member, D’Mello now works as a freelance computer repair technician. Rescue is his passion, and calls come in through word of mouth or referrals from fellow rescuers.

He was trained by The Green Cross Organisation and continues to update his skills through CHAMELEON Organisation. “I’ve been bitten by non-venomous snakes, but handling them properly using hooks, pipes, and bags makes all the difference. Quick and calm rescues reduce stress on the snake.”

One of his most dangerous rescues was a Russell’s viper in a drain. “I thought it was in the water, but it was just beneath a concrete lid, right near my face.”

He believes more awareness, proper identification, and habitat protection are important for conservation While only his grandmother supported him at first, the rest of his family is now on board. “What keeps me going is the need to protect a defenseless creature,” he says.

The DJ who loves snakes

Mckenzie Noronha from Anjuna has been rescuing snakes for five years. His interest began during the COVID-19 lockdown, and his first rescue was a water snake caught in a net.

A professional DJ, Noronha gets calls directly from locals. He only rescues snakes found inside homes or on balconies, leaving outdoor snakes alone.

He recalls one unforgettable rescue, a python so massive after swallowing a duck that he couldn’t lift it. Noronha has no formal training but studied snake species across India and learned from watching other rescuers. “Now I’m confident with any snake.”

He believes better awareness is key to conservation. “There are so many myths about snakes. People need to have at least basic knowledge.” He advises people not to approach snakes unless sure of the species.

However, his family worries, especially since he’s an only child. “The love I have for snakes is something I can’t explain,” he adds.