But for the forest department officials, locals would have killed the snake

Jul 9, 2012 07:08 GMT  ·  By

A spotted snake, known as Russell's viper, and 17 of its hatchlings were just recently rescued from a drainpipe by forest department officials.

The latter took the animals to a rescue center nearby Lawspet, India, where they placed them in glass enclosures to make sure they are out of harm's way.

Apparently, before the rescuers managed to locate and aid these snakes, locals had already managed to trap and kill another Russell's viper and its hatchlings.

Although public safety comes first, perhaps it would have been best for the locals to wait for the arrival of the forest department officials and not get rid of the animals as they saw fit.

More so since our planet's biodiversity is under continuous threats and needs be taken care of.