Rare Fostens cat snake rescued from tree in Nagpur's Manish Nagar

Nagpur's growing population and rapid urbanisation have not stopped signs of wildlife from surfacing from time to time. While snake sightings in the city's densely populated areas are no longer unusual, a rare species turning up in a residential area still draws curiosity. One such incident occurred in Manish Nagar, where a rare Fostens cat snake was found coiled on a tree in a house compound, causing a brief stir in the neighbourhood.

According to reports, residents at Sharad Damle's house near Padmavati Nagar T-point in Manish Nagar noticed the snake around 4 pm. A large brown snake was seen coiled on a branch, its pattern and colour different from snakes usually seen in the area. This drew the attention of the household and nearby residents, many of whom tried to catch a glimpse from a distance, though no one could identify the exact species.

People in the area said they had never seen such a snake before. It was coiled fairly high up on the tree and appeared calm. Since any hasty move or attempt to disturb it could have made the situation worse, residents decided not to try catching it themselves and instead informed a snake rescuer.

Snake rescuer Ashish Rahekwad of the Help for Animal Welfare Association was then informed and reached the spot. He first observed the snake's movements before beginning the process of identifying it.

Since the species was not immediately clear, Rahekwad photographed the snake and sent the picture to wildlife expert Swapnil Bodhane. After examining the photo, it was identified as a Fostens cat snake.

Once the rare species was identified, the rescuers began a careful rescue operation, taking particular care to avoid injury to the snake and any risk to nearby residents. The snake was cautiously brought down from the tree and rescued safely.

The discovery of the rare Fostens cat snake in a densely populated area like Manish Nagar has renewed discussion about biodiversity in and around the city. Despite Nagpur's rapid urban expansion, pockets of trees, shrubs and natural habitat remain in several places, and wildlife living there often ventures into residential areas in search of food or safe shelter.

Snake rescuers say that if a snake is spotted in a residential area, people should immediately contact a trained snake rescuer or the relevant wildlife rescue team instead of panicking or trying to kill it. Attempting to catch or handle the snake themselves can put both people and the animal at risk.

Local residents breathed a sigh of relief after the rare snake found in Manish Nagar was rescued safely, while the presence of the rare species also drew interest among wildlife enthusiasts.