Rare caecilian found near Black River in Titwala

Titwala on June 25:
Devgandul (Sicilian), a rare species of amphibian, has been found in the vicinity of the Black River at Titwala. The snake-like creature was found injured by some civilians while crossing the road in the area. The locals informed the War Rescue Foundation about this. Dhanush Vekhande and Sumit Bhadange, friends of the Titwala team of War Rescue, rushed to the spot and took the grenade safely in their possession. At first glance, it seemed to be a forehead. But after Prem Aher, a wildlife ranger from Kalyan, approached the BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society) for identification, the Bombay Natural History Society’s Dr. Varad Giri, a reptile researcher.

This creature is called Ichthyophis bombayensis in classical language, Bombay caecilian in English and Devgandul in Marathi. It is an amphibian that can live in both water and land. Its main food is earthworm and for its own protection it releases sticky secretions on its own body. As a result, it is not easy to catch him as his body is getting very smooth. It is found in large numbers mainly in the Western Ghats. The War Foundation’s team said that his identity could be determined by his heel-shaped eyes and body with a rounded arena.

With the permission of the Forest Department, this Sicilian amphibian was rescued by a private veterinary officer in Kalyan, Dr. Raibhole gave first aid. After that, with the permission of experts and the forest department, scientific records will be taken and he will be released, said Suhas Pawar, secretary of the War Foundation (wildlife researcher).

Kalyan is doing a thorough study of the biodiversity of Dombivali and Titwala and it is essential to record the wildlife. For this, Maharashtra State and Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation have a biodiversity register book in which correspondence will be sent to record the Sicilian (Devgandul) of this amphibian class, said Yogesh Kamble, President of War Foundation.