MARCOS GONSALVES
marcos@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: At a time when forests are being uprooted for the sake of development and wildlife being driven to extinction for personal gain, wildlife rescuer Julio Quadros makes it a point not to get disheartened, but to instead work harder and faster to help restore the balance. Quadros, a resident of Navelim, has followed his philosophy of conserving the environment by rescuing animals and reptiles in trouble, for the past 18 years now. And to ensure his legacy lives on, he also trains and educates the generations that have come after him, to safely capture and rehabilitate wildlife in distress.
Since embarking on his conservation mission in 2005, Quadros has given a second chance at life to hundreds of reptiles and wild animals, including King Cobras, leopards, jackals and pangolins.
Interestingly, a traumatic childhood event may have subconsciously sowed the seed of his love for wildlife. Quadros was bitten by a venomous Russel’s Viper at the age of seven. He now teaches his young children to build smart, safe and responsible relationships with wild animals. Speaking to O Heraldo, Julio said he worked with the Forest Department on a daily basis from 2006 to May 2011. Thereafter, he joined the Forest Department officially in 2011, as an animal attendant. “Yes, I was once bitten by a Russel’s Viper, and that too at the age of seven. Back then, I feared snakes. In 2005, I met a man called Sainath Shirodkar, who works for the Forest Department. He taught me how to rescue snakes. I also learned a lot from the then Range Forest Officer Paresh Porob, who is now Assistant Conservator of Forests, on how to safely handle wild animals,” said Quadros.
“Respecting nature is my main principle. We must remember that nature will respect those who respect nature,” he quips. Till date, he has rescued pythons, wolf snakes, cat snakes, common kraits, forsten’s cat snake, Russell's vipers, spectacled cobra as well as king cobras. On call for snake rescues at any time of the day or night, Quadros has covered areas right from Vasco to Netravali and Borim to Cabo de Rama.
“Before attending any call, I try to calm the person down and ascertain pertinent information about the snake; like whether it’s venomous or non-venomous. One thing we have noticed is that myths and superstitions abound, such as ‘snakes take revenge on humans who have harmed their relatives/friends- but this is just a myth driven by bad cinema,” says Quadros.
In 2011, Quadros was presented with the State Award for Government Servants/ Civilians for his act of bravery in rendering his routine services.
“We educate people about snakes during rescue calls. The rescue of leopards and crocodiles are carried out through team work, under the instructions of our Superiors,” he says, adding that his rescue team comprises Navo, Aveeth, Benhail and himself. “Don’t panic when you see a reptile or wild animal caught or hiding somewhere- they are likely to be more scared and distressed than you. Inform the Forest Department immediately and heed their advice,” Quadros signs off.