Snake expert holds safety session at Bypass school
Times of India | 28 August 2026
Kolkata: Students at the Bypass school where a class 3 girl was bitten by a snake attended a special session organised with Anirban Chaudhuri, herpetologist and consultant, on Thursday. Chaudhuri advised the kids to stay calm and immediately inform an adult on encountering a similar situation. The programme was conducted to educate students, teachers, and school staff on how to respond quickly in such emergencies.
Although students from various classes attended, the girl who had been bitten was absent. The school administration has decided to send her the video recording of the session.
The students were divided into small groups for each half-hour session. The programme began with classes 11 and 12, followed by classes 4 and 5, and other grades in sequence. Addressing the students, Chaudhuri outlined the basic rules for any insect or snake bite: “move away”, “tell an adult”, “stay calm”, and “seek help”. He said, “Do not wait for symptoms to appear, and do not make the victim walk if it can be avoided. If safe, an adult may note the snake’s appearance from a distance, but no one should ever try to catch it.”
The interactive session saw enthusiastic participation, with students asking questions about snakebite protocols. A class 12 student asked what their immediate reaction should be if they encountered a snake. Chaudhuri advised that they should not waste time trying to check if the snake was venomous or try to take photos. “In a snakebite incident, reaching a hospital as early as possible is the priority, rather than analysing the snake. Taking a picture is not mandatory because doctors treat patients based on clinical symptoms, not the color of the snake,” he explained. He also emphasised remaining calm to keep the heart rate steady, as a rapid pulse can accelerate the spread of venom through the bloodstream.
Chaudhuri explained that wild animals and reptiles generally avoid humans and usually enter residential areas only in search of food.
The response from classes 4 and 5 was particularly high. At the start of their session, a class 4 student recounted the recent incident while others asked about preventive measures, handling bee stings, and distinguishing venomous snakes from non-venomous ones. Chaudhuri said, “Maintaining a safe distance is your best protection. Always keep your classrooms clean and help your teachers maintain hygiene.” He also reminded students to check their shoes before putting them on.
School principal Seema Sapru said, “We are overwhelmed by the students’ enthusiasm. It was a very informative session.”
Teachers and support staff also attended the programme.