Snake rescuers encountered the rarest of rare species of snakes in Aarey Colony on Wednesday, where they found a red sand boa quite close to the Metro III yard site in the area. Considered to have supernatural powers, the species is widely sought for use in black magic rituals and is now shielded by Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The snake rescuers found this four-foot-long red sand boa lying on the road in the vicinity of Filter Pada, towards the Marol side of Aarey Colony.  It can fetch over R1 crore on the black market, depending on its physical characteristics