Tamil Nadu: Man Arrested For Killing & Eating Rat Snake, A Protected Reptile

The incident came to light after Kumar posted a video on social media showing him skinning the snake and cooking the meat.

Kumar has been booked under Sections 9, 39, and 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which strictly prohibits the killing, harassment, or trade of protected species, including the Indian rat snake.

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A 30-year-old man, G Rajesh Kumar, has been arrested by forest officials on charges of killing a rat snake, skinning it, cooking its meat, and consuming it in a village near Tirupattur town. The incident came to light after Kumar posted a video on social media showing him skinning the snake and cooking the meat.

The Tirupattur forest ranger, K R Cholarajan, stated that the department received a tip-off about the video. Acting on the instructions of district forest officer M Mahendran, officials traced and apprehended Kumar on Tuesday. During questioning, Kumar admitted to killing the snake, consuming its meat, and using the oil extracted from the snake’s skin to treat joint pain, a remedy he believed would be effective, according to a report on Times of India.

Kumar has been booked under Sections 9, 39, and 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which strictly prohibits the killing, harassment, or trade of protected species, including the Indian rat snake. This snake is listed in Schedule I of the Act, providing it the highest level of legal protection. Offenses under these sections can result in penalties ranging from three to seven years in prison or a fine of ₹25,000.

Kumar has been remanded in judicial custody as the investigation continues. The forest department has reiterated the importance of protecting wildlife and warned that any violations of the Wildlife Protection Act will be met with stringent action.

In 2021, a man was arrested and fined Rs 7,000 for eating a snake. Posting a video of eating the snake, he claimed that the snakes were good to treat COVID-19. 

Following this, the forest department also arrested the man identified as Vadivel from Perumalpatti of Tirunelveli district. However, after the arrest, he claimed that he was inebriated at the time of the incident.