20-foot-long King Cobra rescued from classroom in Odisha school

A 20-foot-long king cobra was sighted beneath a bench inside a classroom of a school in Raigarh in Gajapati district. The snake’s discovery caused panic among school staff, who immediately contacted the local Snake Helpline, a volunteer organisation specialising in snake rescues.

Swift Rescue Operation Ensures King Cobra's Safe Release

The rescue team arrived promptly and efficiently captured the venomous snake. Following the capture, forest officials confirmed that the snake was safely released back into its natural habitat, ensuring the safety of both the community and the wildlife.

Previous Sightings and Rescue Procedures

After the sighting, school authorities swiftly locked the classroom door and alerted the snake rescuers. While the snake had been spotted near the school grounds, including the field and surrounding areas, it proved difficult to capture. However, when it was eventually found inside the classroom on Wednesday evening, the authorities acted promptly, trapping the reptile within the confines of the room. The rescue team spent nearly an hour controlling and capturing the snake. Thankfully, with the school closed and no students present in the hostel, the situation was resolved without any incidents or accidents.

Another King Cobra Rescued from a Construction Site in Rayagada

In a separate incident reported in April, a 20-foot-long king cobra was successfully rescued from a construction site in the Kolar area of Rayagada district, Odisha. Workers at the site alerted a local snake rescue team, who quickly captured the snake without incident. The cobra was handed over to the Forest Department for further action. The rare sighting attracted a large crowd, highlighting the region’s rich wildlife, though such encounters in populated areas remain uncommon.

Cobra Rescued from Steel Drain Mesh at OUAT Hostel

In another recent case, a cobra was trapped in a steel drain mesh at the Godabarish hostel of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar. The sighting caused panic among students, prompting a call to the Snake Helpline. Rescuer Arun Baral first used a crowbar to loosen the mesh and carefully transferred the 4-foot-long cobra into a rescue bag. The following morning, with assistance from Shubhendu Mallik, the team used a chisel and hammer to cut the mesh and safely release the snake, which had sustained minor injuries to its hood. The cobra was treated before being released back into the wild.

Deforestation Likely Contributing to Increased Snake Sightings

The rise in snake sightings in human-inhabited areas may be attributed to deforestation. As natural habitats shrink, reptiles like cobras are increasingly forced into urban and rural spaces in search of food and shelter. This suggests that deforestation could be a probable cause of these encounters. Strengthening conservation efforts to protect wildlife habitats and creating wildlife corridors could help reduce such incidents.