goa-portuguese : Message: The Creepy Times 9

Hi Friends.

There seems to be a little disagreement and difference of opinion with regards to my usage of the HTML version of sending out the Creepy Times (in other words the flashy colorful design)

Some people prefer the text version as it takes a lot less space and is therefore a little faster while downloading. These persons are very few and I have therefore decided to continue sending the umm… flashy design out to the rest. If for some reason you prefer the text version as well let me know and I'll send you it.

Though Creepy Times was originally meant to be a weekly issue I am forced to reduce it to bimonthly now.

Rahul Alvares

Know your snake

a baby Russell's Viper

Russell's viper. The snake is one of the four deadly snakes that causes many deaths in India and Goa . It is locally known as 'Ghonus' or 'Kusdo'. The snake can be easily recognized by its distinct body pattern of circular or diamond shaped brownish markings all along its yellow body. Only one of the pictures is of an adult.

Myth; 'Kusdo' is a Konkani word meaning the snake that causes rotting of the flesh.

Truth; The myth is partially true in that an untreated bite causes gangrene (and consequently, amputation of the limb becomes necessary). But a more dangerous effect of the bite is that the venom causes massive blood cell destruction, resulting in blood loss and finally heart failure. The bite can be effectively treated by administering anti snake venin available at all the hospitals in Goa .

Wild life celebrity

Neil Alvares (not my relative...)

Working with wildlife seven years till date Neil's interest and profession in this line started through a tourism venture. Along with partner in business Harvey D'Souza a boat was bought by Neil which cruised the mangrove areas of the Cumbarjua canal teeming with tourists all hoping to get a glimpse of the mugger crocodile that still survives there.

By the end of the year Neil had already started doing non profit trips for students interested as well. The trip highlights in addition to the spotting of crocodiles, is the vast biodiversity of birds that thrive there. I have personally been on a number of trips( that they never charged me for!) with them and got to see a lot of birds like the osprey, egrets, herons, four or five species of kingfishers, and many water birds- including migratory species that fly over from all parts of the world. The White Bellied Fishing Eagle is also a sight worth seeing as it glides through the air, a giant raptor searching for fish and sea snakes.

A few years down the line Harvey and Neil founded Southern Birdwing their very own NGO for conserving wildlife. Neil admits that the Forest Department also backed them up with a lot of support when they needed it.

The things that Neil likes about his profession are that he gets to see a lot of places all over Goa . ‘Plus you are always happy that your are not doing something that is damaging to the environment' he chuckles.

Neil feels that group rivalry among wildlife enthusiasts is the biggest setback to our efforts, and he firmly believes that in order to really make a difference when saving wildlife we need to push our differences aside and unite as one to succeed.

Get the Buzz on him at 2402957 Mobile:9823028688

.....and he lives with his croc in everlasting happiness.....