A rare albino Montane Trinket snake was recently sighted in the Panchgani area, causing a stir among residents. Thanks to the swift action of snake rescuer Sankruti Bongale, the snake was safely rescued and later released into its natural habitat by the forest department.
The albino snake, approximately 3 feet in length, was discovered inside a house in Godvali village, Panchgani, leading to panic among the household members. Upon receiving the alert, Sankrishi Bongale, a dedicated member of the Animal Rescue Team Panchgani, immediately reached the spot and safely captured the snake.
Following the rescue, Bongale handed over the snake to the forest department, which later released it back into the wild, giving it a new lease on life.
Speaking about the rare sighting, Sankruti explained, “Albino snakes are extremely rare. Due to the absence of melanin, their skin appears white and their eyes red. This unusual coloration makes their survival in the wild especially challenging.”
Rajiv Bora, President of the Animal Rescue Team Panchgani, praised the rescue effort, stating, “Rescuing such a rare snake is truly a remarkable act of skill and courage. Sankrishi responded immediately, captured the snake safely, and ensured its return to the forest through the forest department.”
Due to her alertness and swift response, Sankruti has earned widespread appreciation in the Panchgani area for rescuing this rare albino snake, locally referred to as the ‘mountain smuggler’.
Key Facts:
Non-venomous and harmless to humans
Belongs to the rat snake family
Native to the Western Ghats, including areas like Panchgani
Known for its agility and sometimes defensive behavior (it may strike if threatened, but poses no danger)
So, while it may look alarming (especially an albino one due to its unusual appearance), it’s completely non-venomous and plays an important role in controlling rodent populations in the wild.
