small toads (Bufo melanostictus) were found (Figure 1C). These reports could be just the tip of the iceberg as the natural habitat of snakes (bush lands, fields, and forests) are littered with such humangenerated waste. Many snakes could be dying unnoticed in the wild due to such torturous entrapment. The important role of snakes in our ecological balance is vital. They play the role of master pest and rodent controller. However, recent studies revealed that snake numbers are on the decline globally, 4 and human interference is a major contributing factor. It is important to be conscious; the simple step of proper crushing and disposal of food and beverage cans may save the lives of precious snakes in our ecosystem. Moreover, in a developing country such as India, carelessly discarded cans are rapidly becoming an environmental and public health concern. Underground and open sewage systems can become clogged with cans and plastic. Pollution of soil, freshwater, and seawater is another point of concern. In addition, when this waste is littered around household or slum areas, it can act as breeding sites for mosquitoes and thus become a source of mosquito-borne diseases. Acknowledgment: We are thankful to the chief wildlife warden of Odisha for facilitating the rescue and release of snakes into the wild and permitting the first author to do the same.
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