Target: B. Shivadhar Reddy, Director General of Police, Telangana State Police, Hyderabad, India
Goal: Identify and prosecute the poachers and handlers responsible for capturing wild cobras, sewing their mouths shut and ripping out their venom glands for illegal festival displays.
Wild cobras are being subjected to horrifying treatment for seasonal festival displays. Poachers target the reptiles in the wild, capture them and sew their mouths shut. Their venom glands are ripped out before the snakes are taken into crowded areas and displayed to the public.
The suffering does not necessarily end with mutilation. Dehydrated snakes are frequently forced to consume milk during these displays, a practice that can cause severe physical complications. Despite protections under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, illegal handlers continue operating in suburban markets. The specific handlers behind the recent street performances remain unidentified, while the poaching networks supplying the animals have not been apprehended.
The continuing nature of these displays demands enforcement beyond simply rescuing individual snakes. Police and wildlife authorities must trace the supply chain, identify those capturing and mutilating protected cobras and prosecute anyone found responsible.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear DGP Reddy,
Wild cobras are being captured and subjected to appalling mutilation before being displayed during festivals. Their mouths are sewn shut and their venom glands are ripped out. The dehydrated reptiles may then be forced to consume milk while being exhibited before crowds.
The individuals responsible for the recent displays remain unidentified. This makes coordinated intelligence gathering essential. Surveillance of known display areas, investigation of wildlife trafficking routes and cooperation with animal welfare organizations could help identify both street handlers and the networks supplying captured snakes.
Please direct appropriate police resources toward disrupting this trade and coordinate closely with wildlife enforcement authorities. Identify the people responsible for capturing, mutilating, transporting and illegally displaying protected snakes. If evidence establishes criminal violations, pursue appropriate charges and penalties under applicable Indian law. Removing individual cobras from street displays addresses only the immediate danger. The networks supplying mutilated wild animals must be dismantled to prevent more snakes from enduring the same suffering.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Chandan Singh
