This 15-Year-Old Andhra Boy Started An Initiative To Save Endangered Snakes

A 15-year-old boy named Sampath Kantimahanti from Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh is currently dominating the headlines. According to Local 18 Andhra Pradesh, he has founded a project called Snake Speak, a mission that aims to save the snakes. He also educates the children, adults and farmers on protecting the serpents. Sampath grew up saving animals with his father under an environment-based organisation Green Mercy. He formed the organisation called Snake Speak as part of the wildlife conservation program to save snakes that are on the verge of extinction. Sampath founded this project with his four other friends and has contributed to saving the serpents.

Sampath and his friends are conducting awareness seminars in schools and colleges regarding the Snake Speak project. His friend Joshya Natalia is in charge of social media. While Sampath rescues snakes, his friends Saket Ram, and Bhargava shoot his videos with the camera and post them on social media. Srikakulam’s natives are now becoming aware of the importance of saving the snakes. If any of them see the serpents in the backyard of their houses, they contact Sampath and his team members. They rescue the snakes and release them in a secluded space that is devoid of people. Additionally, they also clear the misconceptions of the people regarding saving the snakes.

Sampath said that he was motivated to start the Snake Speak project after his family received requests in 2023 to save the snakes in the localities. According to him, the primary objective of this project is to educate the communities, especially farmers and villagers. He said that they have to be educated regarding the preventive measures against snakebites and dispel myths surrounding the reptiles. Sampath said that he also was inspired to start the initiative after seeing the enthusiasm of the students during the organisation of awareness camps. He said that their mission is to promote harmony between humans and snakes through education and awareness.

According to him, snakes are important for the conservation of the environment and biodiversity. He said that killing such creatures would harm biodiversity. He added that the snakes are also good friends of farmers as they eat rodents that destroy farmers’ crops.