Gururaj Sanil - Man with a passion for snakes

Bellevision Media Network

 

Udupi, 13 Oct 2013: It is not his profession but ’hiss’ passion. For Gururaj Sanil, 45, a snake expert from Puttur village in Udupi district, catching snakes and leaving them in the Western Ghats is a passion.

 

He has caught about 13,000 snakes including 58 king cobras in the past 24 years.

 

 

Sanil had caught a small python when he was in class VI and this incident developed a curiosity in him to know more about the slithering creatures. In 1988, he learnt the knack of catching cobras and since then he never looked back. His curiosity for the life of snakes converted into love for them.

 

 

On an average, he now gets five to six calls in a month from common men and forest department officials seeking assistance in rescuing injured snakes. Sanil brings those snakes to his house and gives them the necessary medical treatment after which he leaves them in the Western Ghats.

 

He has faced various challenges too while rescuing snakes. Sanil has been bitten by venomous snakes 12 times. The most serious one was in 2000 when he was bitten by a cobra. His left palm was badly injured and he was in hospital for four-and-a-half months. "Once, I was bitten by a cobra. I came home and while watching TV I realized something amiss and I got myself admitted in the hospital," he says.

 

Educated till SSLC and a farmer by profession, Sanil says snakes are an amazing and fascinating creatures. ’’I love rescuing snakes and studying their lifestyle. Snakes don’t bite you if they are convinced by your behaviour that you won’t harm them,’’ he adds.

 

Of late he has also been giving demonstration on snakes in schools and colleges. Sanil has given more than 100 such demonstrations so far to create awareness among the public. People are taught about the first-aid for snake bites in these demonstrations. He has also written two books on snakes- ’Haavu Naavu’ and ’Devara Haavu’. Contact him at 9845083869.

 

 

Hemanth K, a resident of Parkala, says, "Two weeks ago, a cobra had entered my house. A guest who was at home at that time told us about Sanil. We called him and soon he arrived and caught the cobra. He was really helpful for us on that day."

 

Prakash Poojari, forest officer, Udupi range, says, "Whenever we get a call from the public seeking help to rescue snakes, the first call we make will be to Sanil. He will immediately come and rescue the snake. Our staff will also accompany him. We get about five to 10 such calls every month."