NEW DELHI: Union Minister Amit Shah's residence in New Delhi was the scene of a reptile hunt on Thursday when a five-foot-long snake was spotted by security personnel and a wildlife rescue organisation alerted about its presence.
According to reports, the reptile was identified as a non- poisonous Checkered Keelback (Xenochrophis piscator), commonly known as an Asiatic water snake, which was five foot long.
After the unwanted visitor was spotted by security personnel, an NGO engaged in animal welfare named Wildlife SOS was alerted and a two- member team was dispatched. The team arrived and searched for the reptile. It was finally found inside a gap between the wooden panels near the security guards' room at Shah's residence.
The reptile was then caught and taken away by the team from Wildlife SOS.
The not- for- profit organisation later stated, "On Thursday morning, security personnel were shocked to stumble upon a checkered keelback snake on the premises of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah's bungalow in New Delhi. On spotting the reptile near the guard room, they immediately alerted Wildlife SOS on its 24x7 helpline number, 9871963535. Geared with rescue equipment, a two-member rescue team rushed to the snake's aid. Meanwhile, the snake had made its way inside a gap between the wooden panels around the guard room."
"We get numerous calls for snake rescues from across Delhi-NCR. The rescue of the checkered keelback from the home minister's bungalow was a challenging situation. Though non-venomous, keelbacks turn aggressive when threatened and may bite in retaliation or self-defence. Therefore, extra caution had to be maintained while carrying out the operation," a Wildlife SOS official added.
The Checkered Keelback or Asiatic water snake is usually found in water bodies like lakes, rivers, and ponds. It is also found in drains, agricultural land, and wells. The species is protected under Schedule II of Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
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