Latest news with #FriendsofSnakesSociety
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Over 5,000 snakes rescued in six months across Telangana
Hyderabad: Friends of Snakes Society (FOSS), in collaboration with the Telangana forest department, rescued 5,954 snakes across Telangana between Jan 1 and June 30 this year. Of these, 3,337 were venomous and 2,617 non-venomous, with all safely relocated to forest habitats after identification. The majority of venomous snakes rescued were Spectacled Cobras (2,970), followed by Russell's Vipers (344) and Common Kraits (23). Non-venomous species included Indian Rat Snakes, Checkered Keelbacks, Bronzeback Tree Snakes, Indian Rock Pythons, Red Sand Boas, and Barred Wolf Snakes. The organisation, which marked its 30th anniversary on June 30, also conducted over 200 awareness sessions in schools, colleges, forest and police academies, and rural areas during the same period. The workshops reached over 40,000 people, focusing on snake ecology, encounter safety, first aid for snake bites, and debunking myths. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad To mark three decades of operations and in the run-up to World Snake Day on July 16, FOS announced 'Snakebite Mitigation Initiative', aimed at curbing snakebite deaths in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh by 2030. As part of the initiative, FOS will launch a new public website, on July 16. The platform will offer a 24/7 snake identification cell, first-aid protocols, a venomous snake distribution map, and a hospital locator for bite victims. 'Snakebite is a preventable public health issue. Through this initiative, we hope to bridge the information gap and save lives,' said Avinash Visvanathan, general secretary, Friends of Snakes Society.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Friends of Snakes Society completes 30 years rescuing reptiles in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad-based Friends of Snakes Society (FOS), whose members are actively involved in rescuing snakes in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, completed 30 years on June 30. To commemorate the anniversary and in the lead-up to World Snake Day (July 16), it would launch a Snakebite Mitigation initiative to reduce snake bite deaths in the two Telugu States by half by 2030. A key component of the initiative is a dedicated website, which would be launched in a few days. It would feature information on a hospital locator tool for snake bite treatment; first aid protocols for snakebites; a 24/7 snake identification cell where people can submit photos online and region-specific information on venomous snake species and venomous snakes distribution map. 'In addition to the digital platform, FOS will conduct snake bite mitigation and management workshops at various levels, targeting local health workers, school teachers, panchayat leaders, and forest personnel,' said Avinash Visvanathan, general secretary of the Society. The focus will be on areas where incidence of snake bites is high. Mr. Avinash said that they would reach out to people in rural areas, communities and healthcare workers in Primary Health Centres in such regions.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Snakelets of Spectacled Cobras keeping rescuers busy
Snakelets of Spectacled Cobras are keeping the volunteers of Friends of Snakes Society (FoSS) in Telangana busy this monsoon. The eggs of this snake species hatch from June through September. Over 2,970 out of the 5,954 snakes rescued by the Society, from January to June, were Spectacled Cobras. And 1,134 more were rescued from June to July 16. Around a week ago, a volunteer with the Society, Aditya Srinath, spent over 12 hours to rescue 23 snakelets and an adult Spectacled Cobra in Jagadgirigutta. These reptiles were found slithering in and out of a small crevice in the concrete floor between the house and a compound wall. Mr. Srinath said that the floor was hollow and that provided an ideal space to lay eggs. 'I reached there at around 7 p.m. and rescued 19 snakelets till 3 a.m. I returned the next day and rescued the remaining five,' he said. The mating season of Spectacled Cobras is from January to April and they lay eggs from March to July, said Chelmela Srinivasulu, professor at Department of Zoology, Osmania University and Director, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Studies. The incubation period is 45 to 70 days. 'August is the peak hatching period,' he said. Though the monsoon has set in, rains have not been intense. Avinash Visvanatham, general secretary of the Society said that when human movement is not restricted due to less rains, people increasingly spot snakes. P. Gowri Shankar, founder trustee of Kalinga Foundation, a non-profit research organisation, said that monsoon offers multiple ways of survival such as abundant frogs, toads, rodents, and insects, ensuring food availability for the young. 'Dense monsoon vegetation offers them shelter and concealment from predators and reduces exposure. The high-humidity monsoon environment prevents hatchling desiccation, vital during their early vulnerable phase. When many hatch at once, predator risk is distributed, reducing per-individual threat,' said Dr. Gowri Shankar, a wildlife biologist who has been studying King Cobras and other snakes for close to two decades.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
56% of snakes rescued in Telangana so far are venomous
A total of 5,954 snakes were rescued across Telangana between January 1 and June 30, 2025, by Friends of Snakes Society (FOS) in coordination with the Telangana Forest Department. Of them, 56% (3,337) of them were venomous and the rest were non-Venoumous, which were relocated to suitable forest habitats. 'Majority of the rescues happen in Hyderabad and surrounding districts of Medchal-Malkajgiri, Rangareddy, Medak, and Hyderabad,' said Avinash Visvanathan, FOS's general secretary. Among venomous species, the Spectacled Cobra accounted for the majority of cases, with 2,970, followed by 344 Russell's Vipers and 23 Common Kraits. Non-venomous rescues included commonly encountered species such as the Indian Rat Snake, Checkered Keelback, and Bronzeback Tree Snake, along with rarer species like the Indian Rock Python, Red Sand Boa, and Barred Wolf Snake. Besides the rescue work, FoS conducted over 200 snake awareness workshops, reaching over 40,000 individuals at schools, colleges, police and forest academies, public institutions, and rural communities. The focus was on the ecological importance of snakes, safe practices during snake encounters, first aid for snakebites, and debunking prevalent myths. The society's 24/7 helpline number is 8374233366.
