Santa, one boa constrictor of 2.4 meters, was brutally beaten with numerous blows to the head. After that, she was rescued and is recovering successfully, in addition to becoming a symbol against people's prejudice towards snakes, which are seen as animals dangerous.
Want to know more about Santinha and her story? So stay with us and continue reading to understand about rescuing the boa constrictor.
see more
Tiger snake: species showed surprising evolution in just one…
Learn how to properly care for an iguana
Read more: Caution: Doing this will attract snakes to your yard.
Santinha is a 2.4 meter boa constrictor that was found with numerous fractures and head injuries in the middle of a public road, in Tijuca National Park, by biologist Izar Aximoff and firefighters.
The snake was sent to the Vida Livre institute, which is an NGO specializing in the rehabilitation and release of animals in risk situations in Rio de Janeiro. Upon arriving at the institution, Santinha was medicated so that she no longer felt so much pain.
As soon as the boa's situation stabilized, professionals in the area took it for examinations. radiographs, where a fracture was observed in the mandible region, which was subsequently immobilized.
According to Roched Seba, director of the NGO Vida Livre, the name 'Santinha' is due to the relationship with the prejudice that snakes suffer, mainly due to religious beliefs and precepts. To complete his speech, Seba added: “All prejudice is immediately stupid because it makes exchange and growth impossible”.
Santinha needed an arduous process for her recovery, filled with constant exams, hydration, cleaning of the oral cavity, among other things.
Furthermore, to alleviate the inflammatory processes and help the wounds to heal, the veterinarians immobilized the entire region of head and neck of Santinha and performed several procedures, including the application of laser therapy to help the animal recover.
After 3 months of treatment, the boa constrictor is free of immobilization and is constantly undergoing tests to monitor the evolution of its recovery. However, despite the good response to the treatments, it is not yet known when Santinha will be able to return to her natural habitat.
On social networks, thousands of people follow the story of overcoming that Santinha is experiencing. Even, according to Seba, this story helped a lot to break down the barriers of prejudice that exist about snakes.