Navi Mumbai: A juvenile Indian rock python was rescued after it was spotted in the rain at Mhape-Pawane region this weekend. A local 27-year-old resident initially tried to catch hold of the python without any training in handling reptiles. The 3-foot-long python bit the man, who then rushed to the NMMC hospital in Vashi along with the live python confined in a jar. Wildlife activist Tanay P Juvekar said, “After I got a call from hospital authorities, I rushed there and confirmed that the snake in the jar was an Indian rock python (Ajgar, in Hindi), and that it was non-venomous”. Juvekar added that he then safely released the Indian rock python in a forested mangrove area. “I advise people to either call the state forest helpline number ‘1926’ or any trained snake catcher in such a situation. Do not be foolhardy by trying to handle the reptiles on your own,” said Juvekar.
