Rare Red Sand Boa rescued from Sidhi beauty parlour:7-kg snake handed over to Mukundpur Zoo; valued at up to ₹25 crore on black market

A rare Red Sand Boa snake was rescued from a beauty parlour in Sidhi city on Saturday night. The Forest Department and snake rescue team acted quickly to save the snake and hand it over to Mukundpur Zoo. The snake is highly valued internationally and plays an important role in the environment. Snake found in beauty parlour The beauty parlour owner went to a room behind the shop to fetch water. She saw a thick, brown, shiny snake in the corner. People gathered outside after receiving the news. A young man informed the Forest Department and the rescue team. See 4 pictures… Rescue operation The snake was safely captured by the Forest Department team. It weighs over 7 kilograms and measures around 3 to 4 feet long. Its body is coppery-red or brown, shining like copper in the sunlight. The snake was taken to Mukundpur Zoo on Sunday afternoon at 12 PM. Known as “two-headed” The Red Sand Boa is also called a two-headed snake because its tail looks like its head. It is non-venomous and calm. It helps control rat populations, maintaining ecological balance. However, superstitions and illegal trade have put it at risk of extinction. High market value According to Forest Ranger Pankaj Mishra, the snake’s price in the illegal international market ranges from Rs 3 crore to Rs 25 crore. In some countries, it is considered a symbol of luck or wealth, which drives illegal trade. About the Red Sand Boa Legal protection In India, the Red Sand Boa is protected under Schedule-IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Catching, selling, or killing it is illegal. This is the third sighting in Sidhi district in the past six months. The Forest Department is investigating whether it is local breeding or linked to smuggling.