Feel Good | Rescue & Release | Phone Photography-40

This is the 5th instance of a small Indian cobra appearing at our home. Staying in the countryside is accompanied by its own set of challenges. If you are unfamiliar with those challenges, you might find it very unsafe. For us, it is quite natural, although we take due precaution when it comes to safety, but at the psychological level, we are not fearful.

My father has the experience of rescuing poisonous snakes like Cobra, Common Krait, etc. Cobras and common krait ar common visitors to our home, Our home is integrated with a huge garden, and an ecosystem is at play where all the creatures co-exist.

Basically because of rodents, these snakes show up in our home frequently. We take all due care to discourage their colony, but we do not kill or use poisons to kill them. rather we have two cats who prey upon rodents. But snakes do visit this place from time to time. This year at least 5 Indian cobras (medium to small-sized) including this one have been rescued and released into the wild.

I am very fearful of snakes. I do not even go close to them to take a shot. But this time I gathered enough courage to capture a few closer shots after this Indian cobra was rescued.

My father is totally against killing any snake no matter how poisonous. In villages and rural areas, you can not rely on snake catchers living in the cities, it will be a time-consuming phenomenon. So I feel like in every village at least 2/3 specialist snake catchers should be there, Govt should launch a skill training program on this.

My father used to tell me that I should learn this skill, but I don't think I am psychologically ready for this, because their shape, and appearance make me fearful. If I could overcome this fear then I would think about it.

However, I strongly feel that we should take due precautions including using snake repellent spray at the interface of our home and garden, to ensure safety.

Although a poisonous snake, it has the right to live in this ecosystem. So in that context, it feels good to rescue it and release it into the wild. We may not have a symbiotic relationship with the snake, but we can ensure sufficient distance of safety because Humans have more resources and are well-equipped to do it.

That's all for the day.

PS- I also have a video of this snake, but as 3speak is not working now, I could not upload it.

This is my entry to Phonography Contest- 40 by @untilwelearn

Thank you.

Original Photography using my Smartphone