A video of the Vasai-Virar fire brigade officials carrying out snake rescue operations is doing the rounds on social media and several herpetologists and snake lovers are upset about the same. From the footage, it is evident that the officials don't know how to use tongs to hold the snake, thereby injuring them and invariably causing more harm than good to the species.

Time and again, those working in the field of herpetology and conducting snake rescue have been demanding that amateurs must attend courses on basic knowledge. In fact, they insist that unless needed, snakes should not be rescued at all.