“It’s a Man’s Job”: How a One-Day Camp Led This Newsreader to Rescue 800+ Snakes Across Kerala
“Women don’t rescue snakes,” was a common refrain directed at Dr GS Roshni. Yet today, she stands as Kerala’s beacon in snake handling, having rescued over 800 serpents and earning the distinction of being the state’s only certified female snake catcher.
Her journey began without the slightest hint of reptiles. As a poised figure reading news at Doordarshan, Roshni’s path took an unexpected turn at a one-day wildlife rescue training. “That day was transformative. I discovered a passion buried deep, an urgent desire to save wildlife,” she shares.
With determination, Roshni secured a snake-handling license and dove into the folds of the Kerala Forest Department.
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Her first foray into this new world was gripping — a cobra clutched fear into those watching, but within a mere three minutes, it was caught.
Since then, her adventures have included encounters with over 114 pythons, some tipping scales at 55 kg, kraits, and Russell’s vipers. “My dream was always to rescue a King Cobra, and I finally did,” she says.
On a memorable day, 6 July 2025, Roshni exemplified calmness in chaos. Facing a 14-16 ft, 20 kg King Cobra near Peppara Sanctuary, she approached with unparalleled grace, her soft-spoken ‘please’ persuading the formidable creature into a sack. “I walked into the stream, armed with just a snake hook and a sack – and caught it in under six minutes,” she says.
The real challenge, however, was not the snakes but the sentiments. “I often heard, ‘This is a man’s job.’ Even within the department, scepticism and envy loomed large. They questioned every move, every success,” adds Roshni.
But today, she’s heading the Rapid Response Team in Trivandrum, her presence a fortress against the rising tide of disbelief.
“In a field often clouded by ego and doubt, my resolve shines,” she declared, handling late-night calls and turning fear into salvation. “Some nights, it’s two-dozen calls, other nights, I’m on my scooter at 2 am, a snake securely tied under the seat,” she shares.
To every young girl dreaming beyond the ordinary, she offers hope: “Whether it’s forests, fire brigades, or flying planes, you belong. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.”
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