Indian rock python found resting on bicycle in Navi Mumbai's Vashi rescued, released in habitat

A large Indian rock python was found resting on a parked bicycle in a residential area of Vashi in Navi Mumbai. Residents nearby were alarmed on seeing the snake. Members of Sahyadri Rescue Warriors, an organisation that works for wildlife, reached the spot and rescued it.

On receiving the call, the organisation's members Akshay Dange and Dhiraj Gaikwad arrived immediately. The two caught the python safely, without harming it.

As residents were worried about the python, the rescuers did not end their work with catching it. They also spoke to the people there and explained how important pythons are for the environment and what role they play in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

After the rescue, the python was released in a suitable natural habitat.

The incident shows once again that encounters between humans and wild animals are increasing. Rapid urbanisation and shrinking natural habitats have brought residential areas closer to the animals' haunts.

Wildlife rescuers stressed that it is necessary to spread awareness among people about the presence of wild animals in cities, and to behave responsibly on such occasions. They appealed to people not to approach a wild animal, not to harm it and not to try to catch it themselves, but to call trained wildlife rescuers instead.

A separate incident took place earlier this October in Thane, where an adult Indian rat snake, about 7 to 8 feet long, was rescued after being entangled in a net. The Thane Range Forest Department had received a report of the trapped snake. The department informed a rescuer from the Wildlife Welfare Association (WWA).

Reaching the spot, the rescuer carefully freed the snake from the net. No injury was visible on its body. After being kept under observation for a short while, it was released at the same spot so that its natural territory was not disturbed.

WWA volunteer Shivam Dubey said, "Discarded nets can become a serious threat to wildlife, because snakes and other animals get entangled in them and cannot free themselves. People should dispose of such nets responsibly. If they see a snake trapped, they should inform the Forest Department or trained wildlife rescuers instead of trying to handle it themselves."

The incident shows how dangerous discarded nets can be for wildlife and why waste must be disposed of responsibly, so that animals are saved from getting trapped in them.