A venomous Russell's viper stuck in tar was rescued by forest department officials in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Passersby noticed the snake struggling to wriggle free from a lid covered in tar. They immediately called officials to come and rescue the animal.

Once the viper was removed from the tar, it was then taken to a vet where it was treated on July 31.

The Russell's viper was later released back into the wild.

Tar oil is a greasy substance used to lay roads. A highly venomous Russel viper snake unfortunately got stuck in the thick tar and it was unable to remove itself from the tar lid. Then the passersby noticed the snake and they informed to an animal activist. He then rushed to the spot rescued the snake and took it to the vet hospital for treatment. Later the vet doctor treated the snake and removed the tar that was stuck in its body. The snake was also given an injection. Then the animal activist took the snake to the nearby forest to release it. This incident happened in Coimbatore District of Tamilnadu State in South India