When the snake call comes, Sagar Pandey answers

For 18 years, Sagar Pandey has answered the call of a ringing phone, not for business or personal calls, but for snakes. The 31-year-old from Argali Ranghuwa in Nepal has become the go-to person for snake rescues, even assisting the Division Forest Office.

Pandey estimates he has rescued over 10,000 snakes, venturing across Palpa and into neighboring districts. His fascination began in childhood when he caught a snake that entered his home during his aunt's childbirth. This incident sparked a lifelong interest, leading him to rescue snakes instead of harming them.

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Catching snakes is hardly an easy job. But I have been interested in snakes since I was a child, so I don’t feel much fear.

His expertise is recognized throughout Nepal. Pandey claims a national record for rescuing 107 king cobras and has handled snakes from 40 different species. He recounts a particularly frightening rescue of a 12-kilogram king cobra and a 48-kilogram python.

Despite his dedication, Pandey faces a disheartening reality: the very people who summon him for help sometimes turn hostile. "People call me to catch or rescue a snake, but once I have caught it, they don’t always treat it well," he said. He explains that releasing snakes in suitable habitats is crucial, but villagers, driven by fear, have followed him with sticks, concerned he might release them nearby. This lack of understanding, he notes, is hurtful.

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People call me to catch or rescue a snake, but once I have caught it, they don’t always treat it well. The snake should be released in a habitat with the same kind of conditions as the area where it was found. But people sometimes follow me with sticks because they are afraid I might release it somewhere near their homes. That hurts.