What is common between Multan ka Sultan, King Leonidas and me?

If someone told me three years ago that I’d be wrangling snakes in bathroom corners, STP tanks, swimming pools, and construction sites—I’d have laughed nervously, taken a few steps back, and changed the subject.

Because like most people, I was scared.
Not just of snakes—but of doing something unfamiliar, unpredictable, and frankly dangerous.

But on 22nd February 2022, I stepped into something I never imagined would become a defining chapter of my life.
My first rescue: a Russell’s Viper.
Not exactly a “starter snake,” but clearly the universe wasn’t easing me in.

Since that day, I’ve completed 300 rescues.
That’s not a flex. That’s a confession of how deep this rabbit hole—or should I say, snake pit—goes.

I Didn’t Just Rescue Snakes. I Unlearned Fear.

Every rescue has taught me something—not just about the reptiles I’ve come to respect, but about the stories we tell ourselves about danger, and how often they’re wrong.

I’ve seen how quickly fear turns into violence.
I’ve also seen how quickly understanding turns into compassion.

Snakes aren’t out to get us. But misinformation? That’s lethal.
The real venom is in the myths we pass down.

From whispers about cobras taking revenge, to someone swearing a vine snake “spits poison”—I’ve heard it all. And bit by bit, rescue by rescue, I’ve begun replacing those myths with truth.

The Numbers Behind the Mission

• 300 total rescues since 2022
• 166 venomous (Cobras, Vipers, Kraits)
• 134 non-venomous (Rat Snakes, Keelbacks, Trinkets, Vine Snakes, and more)

But numbers don’t tell you about the 4 hour waiting game.
Or the emotional labour of convincing a terrified family not to kill a snake.
Or the silent releases into ever-shrinking wild spaces.

Because the rescue is rarely the hard part.
Helping people unlearn their fear? That’s the real work.

What It’s Taken

This wasn’t a hobby.
This took time—time away from work, from social life, from “me time.”

There have been days I skipped meetings. Days I missed family events. Nights when I came home caked in mud, only to be called out again.

Why?

Because someone has to show up when a creature no one wants around is trapped, cornered, or misunderstood.
Because snakes don’t have PR firms or sympathy.
Because I knew if I didn’t go, someone else might do something they’d regret.

What It’s Given Me

In return, I’ve gained something priceless:

• A calmer sense of self
• A richer connection to nature
• A role in helping a whole community shift from fear to awareness

Today, people don’t just call me for rescues.
They call to ask, “Is it venomous?”
They send photos asking, “Should we leave it alone?”
Some even say, “Let’s not kill it. Nanu will come.”

That change? That ripple effect?
That’s what makes this all worth it.

What’s Next?

300 isn’t a milestone I ever aimed for.
It just happened—rescue by rescue, conversation by conversation.

But none of this would’ve been possible alone.

Chayant, who’s been more than just a fellow rescuer—he’s been a constant companion in the field. We’ve tackled some of the trickiest rescues together, and I’ve learnt so much just by observing his quiet competence, his instinct, his clarity. Without him, this journey would’ve looked very different.

Gerry Martin, whose name first appeared on my radar back in college. He was “the snake guy,” the one who made ecology cool long before it was trending. I’ve learnt—and more importantly, unlearnt—so much from him about snakes, conservation, and what it means to truly engage with the wild.

Sreedevi, my behind-the-scenes force. The one making sure my gear’s packed, my headlamps are charged, batteries aren’t forgotten, and sanity is preserved. She’s been the uncredited logistics backbone of this entire operation.

And then—there are the countless others who’ve helped.
Neighbours who called instead of killing. Friends who waited. Family, who cringe but understand. Community members who helped us get state-of-the-art gear. You know who you are. And I hope you also know how much it means.

You can follow all my documented rescues here: Shifting Radius – Snake Rescues

If this post helps even one person see a snake differently, I will consider it my 301st rescue.