ALDONA: Veteran snake-rescuer Francis Manuel Monteiro, a 69-year-old resident of Carona, was not always the reptile-lover he is now. In his own words, “In the beginning, I was ignorant and ill-informed, I was killing snakes, and one day it backfired on me,” he recalls sheepishly.
However, a close friend changed the course of his life by teaching him how to catch and save snakes, redirecting his actions from killing to preserving these reptiles.
Francis embarked on this unique path when he was just 18 years old, and over the years, he has become a seasoned snake catcher, handling various species, including cobras, pythons, vipers, kraits, adders and boas, known for being highly venomous. During the early days when Francis embarked on his endeavour as a snake rescuer, there were no official forest personnel for snake rescue in the district.
Francis would travel even to far-off places like Sanquelim, Bicholim, and remote villages, responding to calls even in the dead of night.
His knowledge of snake handling came from his friend, who demonstrated the technique of using sticks to catch and safely relocate snakes.
“Earlier, I used to catch snakes all by myself using the tribal method of whistling to lure them out of hiding. But then, I lost a tooth and could no longer whistle. Now, I use these sticks,” says Francis, with his gap-toothed smile.
Francis emphasises the understanding between humans and snakes, as these reptiles can discern our actions, from the way we approach them. He reflects on his journey, which spans more than five decades, during which he estimates that he has rescued and released tens of thousands of snakes due to high demand and a scarcity of skilled snake catchers when he started out.
The main reasons snakes enter homes, according to Francis, are for food, specifically where there are many rodents, or when they are injured by humans.
He recalls an incident where children playing in a cashew plantation accidentally harmed a snake, which later followed them home. The family sought his assistance to capture the snake, which had taken refuge within a stone wall. After calling in labourers to get through the wall and plenty of patience and persistence, they successfully rescued the snake.
Francis dispels the notion that injured snakes do not return and claims that they often do. He highlights the importance of not harming or killing snakes and the significance of educating people to avoid panicking in their presence.
His approach to snake rescue involves gently capturing the frightened reptile and releasing them back into the jungle for their safety. Even when bitten, Francis relies on his own medicines for first aid, before seeking medical treatment, displaying remarkable fearlessness.
In his community, he has earned support from his family and friends, who have become accustomed to his unique profession. He asserts, “If there is a snake anytime, they can always call me, and I will come and catch it.” Francis Monteiro's remarkable journey is a testament to coexisting with snakes rather than fearing them, emphasising the importance of preserving these creatures and seeking immediate medical attention in case of snakebites.