A Russell's viper has been caught in a fishing net in Kalapara, Patuakhali. The snake, about four feet long, was found on Wednesday (3 July) morning in front of Tuku Mia's house at Tulatali in Latachapli union of the upazila.

Members of the Kalapara team of Animal Lovers of Patuakhali later went to rescue it.

Farmer Milon Ahmed said a net had been set in the pond in front of the house to catch fish. "In the morning we saw the snake caught in our net. It is alive. We were too scared to go near it," he said.

Kawsar Panchait, who came to see the snake, said: "This is the first time I have seen a Russell's viper. Before this I had seen pictures of the snake on social media."

Bayjid Munshi, a member of the Kalapara team of Animal Lovers of Patuakhali, said one of their teams was preparing to rescue the snake from the spot.

"We urge everyone not to panic on seeing a snake but to inform us or the Forest Department. Anyone bitten by a snake should go to the nearest government hospital. In fact, snakes are very useful friends of our biodiversity," he said.

Earlier, on 25 June, a Russell's viper was rescued in Dhulasar union. With this, a total of four snakes have been rescued in Kalapara.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.