Chennai: In what could perhaps be good news to wildlife enthusiasts and public, foreign pet reptiles can be seen in enclosures in Chennai Snake Park located inside Guindy National Park.
Forest officials say the reptiles were brought 20 days ago and kept under quarantine for 15 days to monitor their medical condition.
However, herpetologists warn that those sensitive species should be protected in a proper manner, till they adapted to the environment.
Albino Python
Seized in Tiruchy airport 20 days ago, the Chennai Snake Park officials let them into enclosure after quarantine period was over and doctors from Madras veterinary wildlife wing certified them as ‘stable’.
American corn snake
The officials said that species of spitting cobra, albino python, green tree python, radiated tortoise, elongated tortoise and blue iguana are displayed for public.
Blue Iguana
G. Kannan, education officer, Chennai Snake Park, told DC “This is the first time the snake park has such types of reptiles from abroad and we are happy that the snake park has received such rare species. Since public are not aware of these species in the park, we are planning to advertise about such information.”
Radiated Tortoise
He exuded confidence that more number of footfalls will be recorded, once the news reached out to the public.
Meanwhile, herpetologists point out that the seized species should properly be protected in enclosures.
Spitting Cobra
Dr J. Subramanean, a herpetologist of Care Earth Trust (CET), noted, “it will take some time for such snakes to attach with the environment, since they are sensitive Feeding food is important. As far as tortoise and iguana are concerned, they will easily adapt to the environment.”
However, the herpetologist explained that if those snakes were caught in forests, their survival will be a question.
Speaking to DC, T Uma, Regional Deputy Director, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), southern region, said that they sometime send back those smuggled species based on survival conditions.
“However, in this case, it was very sensitive and we immediately provided treatment species and brought them to Chennai,” she added.
