Experts against use of tongs while handling snakes
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The use of tongs to deal with snakes has are available in for criticism from herpetologists and knowledgeable snake-handlers.
Snake tongs or forceps are used largely by newbie snake-handlers to limit the motion of the snake’s head, by trapping the pinnacle of the animal between the pincers. However, the tools, which got here to prominence in North America to seize particular species of snakes, is getting used incorrectly by not simply newbie handlers but additionally the Fire Department to rescue reptiles, usually inflicting an harm that would result in the animal’s loss of life, say herpetologists.
“For the price of a few hundred rupees, snake tongs can be purchased online by anyone. However, the use of these tongs is extremely dangerous to the reptiles. If the handler applies too much pressure, it can easily sever the snake’s spinal column, or cause other serious injuries,” stated N. Sadiq Ali, founder of the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Trust (WNCT), and an knowledgeable snake-handler who has held coaching programmes for forest employees on methods to safely deal with snakes.
Another distinguished herpetologist from Tamil Nadu, who wished to stay nameless, stated that the majority Indian snake species may very well be dealt with simply with a snake hook, which is considerably much less harmful to the reptiles.
“Even in parts of the world where the snake tongs are used, they are only used as a last resort to supplement the rescue, and not as a crutch in all situations. This is why snake-handlers need to understand the anatomy and handling snakes, especially by amateurs, and the equipment needs to be used as a last resort,” he stated.
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests I. Anwardeen stated the Forest Department at all times discouraged unqualified snake-handlers from capturing reptiles.
“However, each incident is treated on a case-by-case basis, as in some cases, a person might have intervened fearing the safety of people nearby,” added Mr. Anwardeen.
N. Sadiq Ali, from the Nilgiris, stated that always employees from the Fire Department had been referred to as to rescue snakes. “Only trained staff or rescuers notified by the Forest Department should be allowed to rescue snakes, if the situation requires. And the use of snake tongs as a handling tool in general needs to be discouraged,” he added.
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