Mumbai: Snake sighting triggers late-night rescue response in Andheri

Pic/By Special Arrangement

A late-night alert over the sighting of a large snake prompted a swift response from wildlife rescuers in Andheri (West) on Friday. At around 10:10 pm, the joint helpline of Amma Care Foundation (ACF) and Plant & Animals Welfare Society - Mumbai (PAWS-Mumbai) received a distress call from residents of Golden Rays Building in Shastri Nagar, near Lokhandwala Complex.

Rescuers identify reptile as reticulated python from photographs

According to Sunish Subramanian Kunju, Honorary Wildlife Warden with the Maharashtra Forest Department and founder of the joint ACF-PAWS-Mumbai rescue team, photographs shared by residents indicated that the reptile was a reticulated python - the world's longest snake species. The snake was reportedly seen under a parked car in the building's parking area.

Rescue team reaches site, but snake disappears before arrival

"Immediately after receiving the information, our trained volunteer Siddhesh Thavre was deployed to the location," Kunju said. "However, by the time the rescue team arrived, the snake was no longer present. Residents informed us that the reptile had first been noticed around 8:30 pm, after which the police control room was alerted and a police beat marshal also visited the site."

Reticulated python known for size, adaptability to urban habitats

The reticulated python is native to South and Southeast Asia. Adult specimens typically measure between 4 and 6 metres (13 to 21 feet), with the largest recorded individual nearing 10 metres (32 feet). The species is known for its distinctive diamond-like patterns and its ability to adapt to varied habitats - including urban environments - often leading to human-wildlife conflict.

Illegal exotic pet trade linked to rising urban sightings

Kunju noted that such urban sightings are frequently linked to the illegal keeping of exotic animals as pets. "In many cases, these snakes either escape from captivity or are deliberately released when owners are unable to manage them. This poses risks to public safety and threatens native wildlife by disrupting local ecosystems," he said.

Previous rescue highlights dangers of abandoned exotic species

Recalling a similar incident, Kunju said the joint rescue team had earlier recovered a severely weakened exotic corn snake, about a foot long, abandoned on a roadside near Sukh Sagar Apartment in Bhayandar (East).

Wildlife warden warns of threat to native biodiversity

He cautioned that the free movement of exotic and non-native species can have serious ecological consequences. "Spotting exotic species roaming freely is a grave threat to our native biodiversity," Kunju said, urging citizens to refrain from illegally keeping exotic animals and to promptly report wildlife sightings to authorised rescue helplines or the forest department for safe and lawful intervention.