Bahawalpur Youth Saves Thousands of Venomous Creatures

News Desk

Bahawalpur: A young man from a rural settlement near the Cholistan Desert is proving that passion and determination can turn an ordinary life into an extraordinary mission. Abdul Rehman, who earns his livelihood by serving tea at a small roadside stall, has emerged as a wildlife rescuer after saving thousands of venomous creatures over the past decade.

Rehman claims that between 2012 and 2021, he and his team rescued nearly 10,000 venomous animals, including snakes and scorpions, from residential areas and safely relocated them to their natural habitats.

Driven by his love for animals since childhood, Rehman has dedicated himself to protecting Pakistan’s wildlife and raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation. He documents his rescue activities, recording details about each species, location, and release site.

During the first few months of 2022 alone, Rehman said his team rescued around 33 snakes, most of them black cobras. He has developed a network of local rescuers who respond to calls from residents whenever dangerous reptiles are found near homes or communities.

Along with rescue operations, Rehman educates people about dealing with snake encounters, safety precautions, and the importance of seeking medical treatment after bites. He said snakebite cases remain a serious concern in the Cholistan region, where many people still rely on traditional remedies instead of anti-venom treatment.

His journey into wildlife conservation began during childhood when he watched nature programmes on channels such as National Geographic and Discovery, inspiring him to become a nature survivalist. Later, he attended a survival training programme in Gilgit-Baltistan under the guidance of Discovery Channel instructor Chad Keel, which helped him develop professional skills in understanding and handling wildlife.

Rehman now shares his knowledge through his YouTube channel “Wild Rush”, which has attracted around 30,000 subscribers. Through his videos, he highlights various species of birds, insects, and reptiles found across Pakistan and aims to document the country’s wildlife diversity.

Despite having no formal education in wildlife studies, Rehman spends hours researching species, consulting experts, and improving his knowledge. He begins his research early in the morning before heading to his tea stall in the afternoon, where he works late into the night to support himself.

He earns only around Rs300 to Rs400 daily but saves money from his limited income to hire cameras, cameramen, and fund travel to remote areas for wildlife documentation.

Looking ahead, Rehman hopes to produce documentaries on rare and lesser-studied species, including the blunt-nosed viper found in Balochistan’s Chiltan mountain range. He also wants to create a documentary on hyenas to highlight their ecological importance and conservation challenges.

Although some locals have nicknamed him a snake charmer or even a magician because of his ability to handle venomous creatures, Rehman says his mission is not about fame but about protecting nature.

He believes wildlife conservation is not limited to experts and scientists, saying that anyone with love for animals and awareness of nature’s importance can contribute to protecting biodiversity.