Meet Subam Kumar Rout, a 29-year-old wildlife warrior and reptile rescuer who has dedicated his life to protecting the planet’s most vulnerable creatures. Growing up, Subam was fascinated by the natural world, spending hours exploring the forests and fields surrounding his hometown. His love for wildlife, particularly reptiles, only deepened with time.
However, his family had other plans. They urged him to focus on securing a stable, conventional career, viewing his passion for wildlife conservation as a mere hobby. The pressure mounted, and Subham reluctantly acquiesced, putting his dreams on hold.
But the embers of Subham’s passion continued to smoulder. During his stint in the engineering world, he found himself restless and feeling unfulfilled. The call of the wild grew louder and Subham knew he couldn’t ignore it forever.
Taking a leap of faith, Subham decided to follow his passion and reignite his passion for reptile rescue and wildlife conservation. In short, he refused to let family pressure extinguish his fiery passion for wildlife conservation and embarked on a mission to reclaim his place in the world of reptile rescue. The results are nothing short of astonishing. To date, this modern-day reptile warrior has successfully rescued an astounding 10,000 reptiles, solidifying his position as a leading figure in wildlife conservation. His tireless efforts have sent ripples throughout the community, inspiring countless others to join the fight for environmental preservation.
His journey serves as a testament to the power of unrelenting dedication, demonstrating that with courage and conviction, it’s never too late to rekindle the flames of passion.
In a heart-to-heart conversation with Ommcom News, Subham Kumar Rout delved into his inspiring journey, recounting how he transformed his childhood fascination with wildlife into a fulfilling reality.
Subham’s love affair with animals began innocently enough, watching Animal Planet as a wide-eyed child in Sonepur. The seeds of compassion were sown then, as he felt a deep pang of sadness whenever he witnessed animals or reptiles being harmed. This early empathy blossomed into a lifelong dedication to protecting and understanding the natural world.
A pivotal moment etched in Subham’s memory forever was his 15th birthday. While visiting a temple, he spotted a struggling Buff-striped keelback snake trapped in an artificial pond. Without hesitation, Subham plunged into the water, disregarding his new birthday clothes. His friends cautioned him, but he couldn’t resist the snake’s plight.
Recalling his first rescue experience, Subham said, “Cradling the snake in my hands, I felt an indescribable rush. It didn’t matter if it was venomous or harmless. The feeling of holding that snake, sensing its vulnerability, has stayed with me forever. This selfless act marked the beginning of my journey as a wildlife warrior, driven by an unwavering passion to safeguard the creatures that captivated my heart.”
Subham’s enthusiasm for wildlife conservation and reptile rescue soared during his Plus II studies at Centurion University. Recognizing his interest, Zoology Professor Arindam Parichha mentored him, shedding light on reptile behaviour, particularly snakes, and their dietary habits.
Taking his passion to the next level, Subham joined the NGO ‘We Can’, founded by Bibhudutt Jena while pursuing his B. Tech at Gandhi Engineering College. This opportunity led him to volunteer at Nandankanan Zoo, where he worked closely with Field Director Kamal Lochan Purohit. Under Purohit’s guidance, Subham gained invaluable insights into the behaviour of majestic creatures like elephants and tigers. A highlight of his experience was spending a week with Ganga, an adorable elephant calf at Nandankanan Zoo. This hands-on experience deepened his understanding of animal behaviour and cemented his commitment to wildlife conservation.
Subham’s conservation journey hit a pause due to relentless family pressure. Despite his passion, he was forced to prioritize studies over his love for wildlife conservation. Torn between duty and desire, Subham reluctantly acquiesced, putting his heart’s calling on hold.
In 2018, he moved to New Delhi for a job, suppressing his true passions. Those two years felt suffocating, as he yearned to reconnect with his beloved conservation work.
Subham recalls, “I couldn’t explain the emptiness I felt. My heart ached to pursue my passion. But it was my mother who finally understood and encouraged me to rekindle my love for conservation alongside my profession.
With renewed permission, Subham rediscovered his calling, balancing his job with his passion for wildlife conservation. Subham, a mechanical engineer by day, has rescued over 10,000 reptiles, including snakes, driven by his unwavering passion for conservation.
Sharing heartwarming stories of his animal encounters, Subham recounts: “I recently rescued a dehydrated Himalayan vulture, threatened by stray dogs. With veterinary officials’ help, I took it to forest quarters. Remarkably, the bird allowed only me near it, seemingly feeling safe in my presence.”
His eyes light up recalling Ganga, the elephant calf: “‘Hati Mera Sathi’ (Elephant is my companion) is more than a cliché. Elephant calf Ganga embodied it. On my last day with her, she refused to let me go. Reconnecting with the outside world was tough after our bond grew so strong. She intuitively understood my language and emotions.”
Subham’s experiences showcase his unique ability to connect with animals, transcending species barriers.
As a resource person at Jharsuguda Forest Division, Subham also holds awareness campaigns on wildlife conservation and snakebite mitigation.
Subham, a dedicated resource person at Jharsuguda Forest Division, urges communities to adopt a compassionate solution to avoid elephant deaths.
“Let’s replace electric fencing with solar fencing to safeguard both human and elephant lives. It’s essential to understand that elephants destroy crops due to habitat loss and depletion of their favourite food source, bamboo. We’ve destroyed their natural habitats, forcing them into human territories. We must acknowledge our role in disrupting their ecosystem. It’s unjust to kill them through electric fencing or other means when they’re merely seeking survival. Instead, let’s coexist harmoniously. I beg everyone to prioritize solar fencing to protect both humans and animals. This simple switch can prevent elephant electrocutions, reduce human-elephant conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence. Together, we can create a safer, more empathetic environment for all,” signed off Subham attributing his success to his teachers Arindam Parichha, Debabrata Parida, Kamal Lochan Purohit and Bibhudutt Jena.
By Rashmi Rekha Das
