Dial Sunil for rescue: This snake-catcher from Kerala is only a name away

Express News Service
ERNAKULAM: While returning house at night time after an extended official journey final week, Sunil Jaleel — a senior civil police officer with the Ernakulam Central police station — obtained a telephone name. A panic-stricken individual had simply discovered a snake in his home at Mamangalam. Sunil promised to achieve the spot rapidly. On the best way, his telephone rang once more.

The officer mentioned he was almost there. But the caller continued, “Sir, we, the family members, have all tested Covid positive and are under home quarantine. I forgot to tell you earlier!” But Sunil, listed as a licensed snake handler by the forest division in Kochi, was duty-bound. He replied, “I’ll manage it.” 

The officer informed TNSE that he handled the complete home like a snake — with minimal bodily contact. A member of the family pointed to the spot the place they noticed the reptile and opened the door with out popping out. Sunil requested them to remain of their rooms and proceeded to catch the nocturnal customer — a Common Bronzeback Tree Snake (Villoonni), a non-venomous snake. The household was relieved all the identical. 

Sunil’s voluntary service, accessible 24×7, is important to the forest division’s plans for Kochi. While the division has a wonderful crew of snake-catchers based mostly at Kodanadu, it’s impractical to offer full-time service within the metropolis. Hence, they depend on a educated skilled like Sunil. Despite a busy schedule, the 42-year-old attends to calls and travels round for snake rescue. He has rescued almost 100 snakes together with widespread kraits, vipers, pythons, rat snakes and tree snakes from residential areas, procuring malls and uninhabited areas. 

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Sunil factors out that when a snake is noticed, folks begin gathering and it turns into a regulation and order problem. “My service is aimed at avoiding such problems and spreading awareness on the significance of conserving snakes,” the officer says. 

Sunil didn’t foray into the sector unintentionally. Rather, his enthusiasm for the methods of birds and reptiles from childhood made him a birdwatcher and a snake rescuer. He can be an avid wildlife photographer with a penchant for trekking. “The pandemic has halted such activities for now, and I couldn’t take the tour to Leh this time. Hopefully, things will change soon,” he says.

Sunil says persons are but to beat the parable {that a} snake is a horrible creature, and that it needs to be killed directly. “Snakes play a major role in maintaining the food chain. Venomous or not, it won’t harm you unless you harm it,” he says.

He normally places the snake in a bag and arms it over to the forest division. In the case of non-venomous ones, he releases them in uninhabited areas. Sunil obtained coaching from the forest division on secure and scientific dealing with of snakes. Given his tight schedules, Sunil feels the help from his household — comprising spouse Sibila and sons Aazaad and Azhar — has gone a good distance in fulfilling his obligations.