In a first, Now an app to locate and rescue snakes

Mumbai: For the first time ever in the country, the Thane forest department is all set to launch an exclusive application (app) to locate different types of snakes and the number of snake rescues in and around Mumbai. Officials said this would help them know the variety of snakes in the city and track people affected by snakebite.

The department has started work towards building the app and will ask rescuers to click and upload pictures of the rescue effort and also while releasing the reptile into its natural habitat.

The department will ask rescuers to attach GPS coordinates with pictures so as to have data of the total number of snakes rescued and released. A renowned herpetologist who will be helping the department with his expertise said, ‘This will help us maintain data of various types of snakes in and around the city.”

Deputy conservator of forests, Thane territorial, Jitendra Ramgaonkar, said, “The app is going to help decrease the number of crimes related to snake handling apart from creating awareness about ethical rescue and release among budding snake rescuers. We will launch the app soon.”