HUBBALLI: The Karnataka foresters have exposed an inter-state racket involving king cobras, where the snakes are kept in captivity to get photos and videos of the serpent for a price.
The sleuths of Forest Mobile Squad (FMS) Kodagu have booked a forest offence case against Vikas Jagtap and Janardhan Bhosale from Maharashtra for their alleged involvement in handling the king cobra without any permission.
The duo had visited Kodagu early this month to photograph a king cobra which was rescued locally. The FMS sleuths who were following the duo based on their social media posts on king cobra and location got a hint that they were in Kodagu and left a few hours ago. The sleuths had a tip off that the duo were carrying a king cobra in their private car.
Hence the FMS Kodagu alerted the Belagavi team who apprehended the car the same evening. However the duo were let go as there was no snake being transported. But their mobile photos revealed dozens of photos posing with king cobras. They were asked to report back to Kodagu, but the members did not heed. On Thursday the FMS Kodagu booked a case under forest office act and will seek help from the neighbouring state for the detention of the members.
"Its a clear violation of forest laws and keeping a rescued king cobra in captivity is stressful to the serpent. We have identified a few local snake rescuers who could have helped the NGO members to take photos with king cobras. Once we interrogate them we will be able to break the racket," said an officer from the forest department.
"Illegal handling and transportation of king cobras was reported in Pune a few years ago. The snake rescuers were offering photos with king cobras for Rs 4,000," said Rohan Bhate, Honorary Wildlife Warden of Satara district in Maharashtra.
"It's important that species like king cobras must be rescued under expert eyes and law enforcing agencies should monitor the process. The snakes are harassed for a few likes and views on social media," he noted.