Masi Sadaiyan and Vadivel Gopal are two members of a snake-catching tribe from Tamil Nadu called the Irula. Their ability to track snakes -without using any sophisticated equipment and relying only on their own powers of intuition and observation -is what makes them much sought after.
They were flown to Thailand when a group of researchers working on a snake project needed help catching cobras and kraits there. And now, when Florida is struggling to tackle an invasion of Burmese pythons, it's once again the Irulas have been flown to the rescue.
The two, who have been working with biologists from the University of Florida since January 6, have already captured 13 Burmese pythons, castaways of the pet trade that have become a threat to native species, especially birds and rabbits. One of the captured pythons was a 16-foot female.
The officials there tried all kinds of methods and have finally taken snake-catchers from here. They paid $69,000 to hire the Irula men and their translators and fly them to the Everglades. For the community, it's a proud moment as their skills are finally getting international recognition.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
