56% of Snakes Rescued in Telangana in 2025 Found to Be Venomous

Quick Summary:

• Friends of Snakes Society (FOS), in collaboration with the Telangana Forest Department, rescued 5,954 snakes across Telangana between January 1 and June 30, 2025.
• Of these rescues:

– 56% (3,337) were venomous.
– Venomous species rescued included:
– 2,970 Spectacled Cobras.
– 344 Russell’s Vipers.
– 23 Common Kraits.
– Non-venomous species included Indian Rat Snake, Checkered keelback, Bronzeback Tree Snake as well as rarer ones like Indian Rock Python and Red Sand Boa.

• Rescues mostly occurred in Hyderabad and surrounding districts such as Medchal-Malkajgiri, Rangareddy, Medak.
• FOS carried out over 200 awareness workshops, educating more than 40,000 individuals on snake ecology and safety during encounters. Workshops targeted schools, colleges police/forest academies & rural communities.

-FOS operates a helpline at 8374233366

Images:
!A member of Friends of Snakes Society (FOS), Narasimha S rescuing a Russel’s Viper

indian Opinion Analysis:
The large outreach effort by FOS reflects an essential initiative to address human-wildlife conflict amidst rapid urbanization encroaching upon natural habitats in Telangana. With over half the rescues involving venomous snakes-primarily Spectacled Cobras-it underscores important societal risks while highlighting ecological intricacies tied to snake conservation. Conducting workshops aligns with informed public safety efforts critical amid misconceptions-driven violence toward snakes..Such coordinated interventions bridge community needs science-backed educations by preservation