Understanding the python

Fear is probably your first reaction when you suddenly spot a snake, especially something as magnificent as a python. Some might even feel wonder or awe. And while it is okay to feel either way, it is not okay to attempt harming it or even handling it, as the case may be. If you live close to the hinterland, it would be best to let it go on its way, and if you are in the city, contacting animal rescue is the thing to do. The Indian Rock Python has been now accepted as threatened due to human reptile conflict and habitat loss.

‘Living with Pythons’ is a nationwide initiative kickstarted in 2017 by Goa based herpetologist and wildlife photographer Nirmal U Kulkarni to create awareness and instil appreciation about India’s three python species: the Indian Rock Python (Python Molurus), which is found in Goa and across the Indian mainland, the Burmese Python (Python Bivittatus), a near threatened species in Burma, and the reticulated python (Malayopython Reticulatus), which is now acknowledged as one of the largest snakes in the world.

In his formative years as a snake handler, Nirmal rescued a number of pythons from homes as well as snake charmers. With research through reading about pythons in tales and anecdotal references across wildlife books, scientific literature and notes by naturalists, the turning point for him to start the initiative was a chat with his mentor and guide, Romulus Whitaker. “Whilst working at the Katraj Snake Park, Maharashtra and the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Tamil Nadu, these snakes held me in awe for their sheer size as well as strength. This initiative was the result of a 20-minute chat with Romulus Whitaker, whose own work on pythons continues till date. Rom always does that to you, he plants seeds of enterprise and fuels this get-up-and-do-something craving that seldom others can whip up for sure,” shares Nirmal.

When asked about the aim of this initiative and how Goans can be part of it, Nirmal says, “This initiative aims to promote acceptance and understanding about Indian pythons through conservation outreach, community engagement and field based herpetology techniques. Goans can contribute by conserving and accepting the remaining wild pythons that we have in our urban as well as rural habitats. The need now is not just for protection but also for acceptance of these species in our landscapes just like we accept peacocks, mongooses and such other urban wildlife.”

Nirmal is interested in clearing the air about some of the myths that do the rounds about pythons. “There are a few points that we will highlight through the initiative. Indian python species are non-venomous snakes that can cause no harm to human lives. Their natural diet is what needs to be understood. They do not swallow children. Pythons are also important components of our ecosystem and we need to be proud that some of the world’s largest pythons inhabit Indian habitats.”

“As researchers, we will engage with rescuers and try and compile a common protocol for rescue as well as awareness of these snakes. The idea is to minimise rescues and learn to accept these non-venomous harmless snakes in their own habitats. We will attempt to bring like-minded individuals to understand the science behind rescues and rehabilitation and when to do it and when not to,” explains Nirmal.

This project will also contribute to creating awareness on the issue of human-snake conflicts that are key to python survival in human dominated rural and urban landscapes. A specific target group of reptile enthusiasts and amateur snake handlers and rescuers in the states of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra will also be sensitised on these ecologically important species.

The illustration for the logo which is the head representation of the Indian rock python has been done by wildlife artist Nitesh Parulekar while the design has been executed by Printer’s Devil, Porvorim.