Russell's viper found in field in Alirajpur village, rescued and released into forest

A snake spotted in a field on Thursday caused alarm among villagers at Khodrad Faliya in Ubalad gram panchayat, Jobat tehsil, Alirajpur district. The snake looked as large as a python. Villagers informed the sarpanch, and a Forest Department team then reached the spot and rescued it.

The snake, initially thought to be a python, turned out to be a venomous Russell's viper. It was caught safely and released into the forest.

On seeing the snake in the field, Sandeep Baghel immediately phoned the village sarpanch, Laxman Dawar, and also sent a photograph of the snake on WhatsApp. The sarpanch informed Bhursingh Chouhan, a forest worker with the Jobat Forest Department, without delay and called him to the spot.

On receiving the information, Chouhan reached the field and began the rescue carefully. After a long effort, the snake was caught safely. On examination it was identified as a venomous Russell's viper. It was then released into the forest. There is no report of any casualty in the incident.

Chouhan appealed to villagers not to try to catch or disturb any snake or wild animal they see, and said the Forest Department should be informed at once. A trained team will reach the spot and rescue the animal safely, he said.