Belthangady: MR Mustafa alias 'Snake Mustafa' is the deceased. Mustafa by profession is an auto rickshaw driver but as a hobby rescues snakes in and around Uppinangady and Belthangady and releases them into the forest.
On the evening of April 17th 2021, a spectacled cobra that was stuck in a net needed help so the locals contacted Mustafa for help and he stepped in without delay. Mustafas intentions were definitely good but without any safety for himself he tried to rescue the snake, and during the process, the snake gave him painful bites
Mustafa was later admitted to a hospital in Puttur, but since his health was detoriating, ghe doctors advised to take him to Mangaluru for further treatment. While on the way to the city, he breathed his last.