Snake whisperer in India: Between poison fangs and climbing monkeys
Would you like to accompany an Indian snake whisperer into the jungle and release a cobra? Then you should definitely meet Aaron Fernandes. The animal lover rescues everything that crawls and flies.
In today's blog article, I'll tell you what this exciting snake-guru is all about and what IMPACTS visitors can have on green excursions through the forest with him. Here you can also find out how my environmentally conscious tour with the jungle guide turned out to be an unforgettable adventure. From a tame baby monkey to a wild cobra, it's all here.
Snake whisperer Aaron with his organisation Chameleon
One of the most impressive experiences of my sustainable world trip through India was meeting wildlife expert Aaron. I had been looking forward to a jungle excursion with him, but that morning he had to urgently visit the doctor with a 3-month-old baby monkey. Instead of cancelling on us, he invited us to meet his charge that evening.
He has emergencies like this often because of his involvement with a non-profit organisation called Chameleon. Chameleon is dedicated to animal rescue in the Indian coastal state of Goa. He founded this organisation in 2012 with eight other friends. They are usually contacted when snakes are discovered in houses or animals are found injured. They are supported by the Forest Department, which is why their number is linked to their hotline. In addition to these rescue operations, they are also committed to education. Together with his colleagues, he offers jungle camps for schools. They work closely with parents and teachers to raise awareness about wildlife conservation.
My tip: Check out programmes in your area to find out what clubs are available in your area. For your next holiday, you can also check out worldwide programmes such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare or International Animal Rescue.
His current protégé: the baby monkey "Monkey"
Aaron lovingly cares for every rescued creature. In his small house he is currently fostering a baby monkey. When I visit him, he greets me joyfully in his kitchen. In the middle of the floor, next to his friend Rosana, sits a little monkey girl who is hungrily chewing on a piece of carrot. She has been hit by a car. Besides a broken skull bone, her entire right side is paralysed. Thanks to physiotherapy exercises, she is learning to use her muscles again with the help of Aaron's team. "She needs about 4-5 months before we can release her into the wild," Aaron explains. Until then, she will be nurtured and cared for here. She does not have a name, however. She is simply called "Monkey". Creative, isn't it?
"She is a Haneman Langur, which means something like monkey god," Aaron explains. "That fits," I say, "because she sits there like a true goddess." This animal, by the way, is supernaturally capable of squirreling away. Rosana lovingly describes it as her little "eating machine". The monkey gets served up everything from carrots and cauliflower to watermelons. "When she's back on her own two feet, we'll try to integrate her back into her monkey family.
But the family is constantly moving on. So it will be a challenge to find her family again. But it has worked before with other raised monkeys," Aaron says confidently. By the end of our visit, "Monkey" had already come to trust me. It was one of the most impressive experiences of my life to hold the little lemur cub in my hands. She simply enchanted me.
The cobra training with a little forest excursion
After the little monkey was feeling a bit better a few days later, we caught up on our cobra training with Aaron. This includes a small introduction to the world of snakes including release into the wild. For this, you search the surroundings with Aaron to find a suitable spot for the reptile. The spot must not be far from where the snake was found so that it can find its way back into its territory. At a distance, you can be there live as he releases the rescued creatures. The natural spectacle lasts only a few seconds until the animal disappears into the undergrowth. We released our cobra right next to a stream. Happily, the male wriggled into the water and immediately swam to the other bank. With that, the mission was successfully completed.
Multi-day jungle excursion as an insider tip
Apart from that, you can experience much more on a tour with Aaron. Be sure to join him for a few days in nature. A unique experience awaits you on your journey to see the gliding frogs and stunning birds. Did you know that there are even hyenas, leopards and tigers?
"It's a pity you're leaving again. Next time we'll go to a village in the national park. Then we'll spend the night in traditional mud huts, cook our own food over the fire and go into the jungle from the first rays of sunshine," Aaron invites us as we say goodbye. During this rustic excursion, you spend several days in a traditional Goan house on the edge of the forest. You can also get to know the Indian Kunbi tribes and learn more about their relationship with nature.
If you would like to get to know India's nature with the snake whisperer Aaron, please write to him. He can be reached by mail (sssgoa@gmail.com) or on +91 98505 60560. The tour is customised to your wishes and starts at the equivalent of 20 €. You want to have even more IMPACT? Then ask him which animals he currently has with him. I'm sure you'll get to meet them and you'll be able to release a snake or two with him. If that doesn't sound super.
Best regards,
Yours, Franzi
