There was a time when people in remote areas thought it normal to catch or kill any wild animal they saw. Now, whenever a wild animal or venomous snake is caught, everyone calls Rakayet. He rushes out as soon as he hears, treats the animal if it is sick, guides it home if it is lost, and talks anyone who wants to hunt it into becoming an animal lover.

Rakayet Ahsan is the son of retired army member Nazmul Ahsan Hemayet of Nachnapara in Kalapara, Patuakhali. He is a second-year degree student at Kalapara MB College and has done various voluntary social work since 2018.

Ever since he learned that these animals do not harm people while people have long harmed them, Rakayet has devoted himself to them. So far he has rescued more than 100 venomous and non-venomous snakes and more than 500 wild animals of various species, treated them and released them into the forest.

Rakayet told Jago News: "Since childhood I have had a special attachment to animals. To do voluntary work I joined an organisation called Animal Lovers of Patuakhali, which works mainly to stop violence against wildlife and stray dogs and cats, and to treat, shelter and stand up for them. Of all wild animals, people here fear snakes most and kill them on sight. So I am trying to change this attitude by rescuing and releasing snakes. At first people called me mad, but now they call me whenever a snake or any wild animal is in trouble."

He added that there is no scientifically trained snake rescuer in greater Barishal. "As a result we have seen many people take snakebite patients to an ojha (traditional healer), and the patient dies. Later I trained with Snake Rescue Team Bangladesh in wildlife management and the related laws and rules, and I have been working since. I bear the cost of all this work myself, and the organisation helps too. My aim is for everyone in this area to love wildlife as they love their own pets."

Nasir Uddin Biplob, president of the Kuakata Press Club and a social worker, said: "People did not value Rakayet's work at first, but now we realise he is volunteering for an important task in society. Most surprising of all, by looking at an animal's condition he can tell what it wants."

Abul Kalam Azad, Mohipur range officer of the forest department, said: "Rakayet is a very good snake rescuer. We respond to his calls and help his work at all times. His voluntary work is a blessing for society and wildlife and an example for the next generation."

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