Visakhapatnam: The Snake Saver Society of Andhra Pradesh, a group of snake lovers rescuing poisonous snakes stuck in residential areas and leaving the reptiles in wild or the zoo, has urged the government to provide them with basic employment and facilities so as to continue their service.

“Responding to calls made to our helpline number, we visit the spot and catch the snakes risking our lives. Our intervention does not only protect the snakes from being killed, but also the citizens. We also create awareness about snakes and train people in snake catching,” said SSS president Kiran Kumar Rokkam.
The society members also visit schools, industries, residential colonies and surrounding villages to educate people.

“To keep the service continued, our members need a source of employment and also a vehicle or van to reach the spot in a group. Besides, we need a place in a park where some rare species of snake could be exhibited,” said Kiran. The society has handed over a good number of snakes like pythons to the Vizag zoo in the past, he said.