Here’s Why Snake Catchers From Tamil Nadu Have Been Called to Florida
Men from the famed Irula tribe are helping officials in Florida deal with a deadly python problem.
When you have run out of options, sometimes you need to call in the experts. And that’s exactly what officials in Florida, USA, did. When they realised that they were not going to be able to curtail the problem they were having with pythons – they called in tribesmen from Tamil Nadu, India, for help.
And that’s why right now Masi Sadaiyan and Vaidivel Gopal from the Irula tribe in Tamil Nadu are hunting Burmese pythons in Florida. Officials believe that these pythons are responsible for the deaths of native animals in the region.
Not only are the two men from India in the region trying to capture these deadly reptiles but they are also teaching the local authorities about how they can confront this problem on their own, if it ever rears its head again.
Image for representation. Image source: Flickr
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which had invited the tribal men said in a statement, “Since the Irula have been so successful in their homeland at removing pythons, we are hoping they can teach people in Florida some of these skills.”
You may also like: TBI Blogs: A Look at the Matrilineal Khasi Tribe in Meghalaya, and the Women Who Are Its Custodians
It should come as little surprise that these men have already captured 13 of these pythons so far. The Irula tribe are native people from the Nilgiris region. While there are only 25,000 of them in total, they are known across the world for being incredible snake and rat catchers. In fact, so notorious is their claim to fame, they are often dubbed as the “last forest scientists” in the world. They can accurately gauge different type of snakes, bite marks and even the direction they are going to go in.
In the 60s, the Irula tribe was the primary reason for the country’s robust snake-skin industry. Today, however, they are actively sought after in the preservation of wildlife and in pest-control as well and work with institutions like Madras Crocodile Bank Trust.
To help preserve the various tribal belts of India, click here
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: [email protected], or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!
This story made me
97
121
89
167
Tell Us More
We bring stories straight from the heart of India, to inspire millions and create a wave of impact. Our positive movement is growing bigger everyday, and we would love for you to join it.
Please contribute whatever you can, every little penny helps our team in bringing you more stories that support dreams and spread hope.
Home
Read
Watch
Contribute
