Shymkent rescuers report 293 snake calls and 169 captures this season
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Shymkent emergency crews log 293 snake sightings and catch 169 reptiles since the season began, the city emergencies department reports. The call count is lower than the 339 incidents recorded a year earlier, when 201 snakes were caught. Officials urge residents not to approach or try to capture snakes and to call 112.
Season Statistics
Shymkent emergency crews made 293 snake-related trips from the start of the season through mid-August, capturing 169 reptiles, said Erbol Ospanov, head of the emergencies department division. The same period a year earlier produced 339 call-outs and 201 captures, according to Ospanov. Hot weather drives snakes into homes, shops, basements and upper floors as they seek cooler places, the department said.
Safety Guidance
Residents often cannot tell whether a snake is venomous or an ordinary grass snake, so the department advises against any attempt to catch or handle it. Ospanov said people should call emergency number 112 immediately and let trained snake catchers respond. "When it comes to venomous snakes, the key is not to take risks," he said.
Local Snake Species
At the Shymkent zoo, specialists demonstrated species found in southern Kazakhstan. Eastern and sand boas, along with patterned and multicolored racers, pose no threat to humans. The Halys pit viper requires caution because its bite can harm health. The active season in the region runs from April through October.
What's Next
Snake activity in the Shymkent region is expected to continue through October, when seasonal temperatures begin to fall. It remains unclear whether the current lower call volume compared with last year will persist through the rest of the season.
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Shymkent rescuers report 293 snake calls and 169 captures this season
