Rare Russell’s viper spotted in Ganderbal

Ganderbal, Nov 1: In a surprising occurrence, Russell’s viper was spotted near the office of the Horticulture Officer in Duderhama, Ganderbal district in central Kashmir.

The sighting has raised concerns among the residents due to the snake’s venomous nature.

Wildlife officials quickly intervened, rescuing the snake and relocating it to a safer environment.

“We rescued the Russell's viper and shifted it to a safer location. There is no need to panic,” an official said. Local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any further sightings.

Manzoor Ahmad, a snake rescuer from the Wildlife Department, expressed his astonishment at the rare presence of the Russell's viper in Kashmir.

“A wildlife warden found this snake species today in Duderhama, and it caught the attention of locals when I shared it on social media,” Ahmad said. “I wanted to confirm whether such species were present in the area, and my search led me to realise that this is the first recorded sighting of a Russell’s viper in Kashmir.”

He said that while Pit vipers were common in the region, the Russell’s viper, with its distinctive patches, was not typically found in Kashmir.