Bengaluru Snake Menace Crisis: 150+ Daily Rescue Calls Overwhelm GBA Team, Rescuers Struggle Without Salary, Equipment

NewsFlash Daily™

01 April

Rising snake sightings push daily distress calls beyond 150 as the understaffed GBA team battles a lack of vehicles, delayed salaries, and monsoon surge fears

Bengaluru: The city is witnessing a sharp rise in snake sightings and rescue calls, putting immense pressure on the GBA (Bruhat Bengaluru Administration) team, which is struggling to cope with the growing demand due to limited manpower and lack of resources.

Currently, the city is receiving over 150 snake rescue calls daily, but the existing seven-member rescue team is unable to respond to all emergencies, raising concerns over public safety and wildlife protection.

Severe Staff Shortage Amid Rising Demand

Experts warn that the situation could worsen in the coming months, as May and June mark the peak breeding and hatching season for snakes, which typically leads to a surge in sightings.

Rescue teams have demanded that authorities immediately double the number of rescuers to handle the increasing volume of calls.

“With such a small team, it is impossible to attend every emergency. The situation will worsen during monsoon,” a reptile conservationist said.

Rescuers Struggle Without Salary and Basic Facilities

Adding to the crisis, snake rescuers are reportedly facing severe operational challenges, including:

• Irregular salary payments, with honorariums of around Rs 18,000 paid once every three to five months
• No dedicated vehicles, forcing rescuers to travel on personal bikes
• Lack of essential equipment, including snake-catching tools and protective gear

In many cases, rescuers are compelled to purchase equipment such as tongs, hooks, gloves, gaiters, and PVC pipes at their own expense, making the work financially and physically exhausting.

Municipal Deployment Falls Short

According to sources, two guards have been assigned to each of the West Nagar Palika (112 wards) and South Nagar Palika (72 wards), while only one guard is deployed in other areas.

Despite this arrangement, the scale of the problem far exceeds available manpower, leaving several calls unattended.

Common Snake Species Spotted in City

Wildlife experts note that several species are frequently spotted across Bengaluru, including:

• Cobra
• Russell's viper
• Spectacled cobra
• Checkered keelback

During summer, snakes often venture into gardens, parks, and residential areas in search of cooler environments, increasing the likelihood of human encounters.

Public Safety Risks Increase Without Timely Response

Experts warn that snakes are unpredictable, and untrained individuals attempting to handle them may risk serious bites or even death, or may kill the snake out of fear.

Rescuers emphasise the importance of immediate professional intervention to safely relocate the reptiles without harm.

Monsoon Season May Worsen Crisis

With the onset of monsoon in May, June, and July, rescuers anticipate that daily calls could exceed 200 cases, further stretching the already strained system.