Hyderabad Zoo observes World Snake Day; Houses 20 snake species

Hyderabad: Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, marked World Snake Day on July 16, 2025, with a special awareness program aimed at educating visitors and school students about snakes and their ecological importance. The event was held at the Reptile House Amphitheatre, drawing participation from around 700 school students and 600 other visitors.

As part of the program, M. Deepak Tarun, Education Officer at Nehru Zoological Park, gave a live demonstration featuring various snakes. He explained the habitat and lifestyle of snakes, highlighted the differences between venomous and non-venomous species, and shared safety tips related to snake bites and identification.

The zoo currently houses around 20 species of snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, including the King Cobra, Spectacled Cobra, Bamboo Pit Viper, Russell's Viper, Krait, Indian Rock Python, Rat Snake, and Sand Boa. Other reptiles at the zoo include the Green Iguana, Chameleon, Flap Shell Turtle, Star Tortoise, Bengal Monitor Lizard, and Water Monitor Lizard.

Teachers and visitors appreciated the zoo management’s efforts in spreading awareness about wildlife and conservation. They acknowledged the roles played by the Director, Curator, Public Relations Officer (PRO), and Zoo Education Officer (ZEO) in organizing the event and providing up-to-date information to the public.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sunil S. Hiremath, IFS, Director of Zoo Parks Telangana, noted that Nehru Zoological Park was the first zoo in India to introduce a reptile house with glass barrier enclosures, enhancing the viewing experience. He credited the zoo staff, ZEO, and PRO for regularly organizing informative programs on environmental observance days.

The event was attended by several key staff members including M. Barnoba, Deputy Curator; H. M. Hanifulla, Public Relations Officer; Ravi Prabakar, Senior Animal Keeper; and Assistant Animal Keepers Chenakeshavulu, Hussain, and Khasim.