12-foot exotic-looking snake rescued from hotel wall in Odisha, sparks speculation
While initial panic led many to believe the snake was a king cobra, experts from Snake Helpline later dismissed the claim
Bhubaneswar: A massive 12-foot-long snake, initially mistaken for a king cobra, was discovered lodged in the wall of a hotel near Niliya Bandh in Chikiti Notified Area Council (NAC) of Odisha’s Ganjam district late Sunday night, setting off panic among local residents and hotel staff.
The snake, spotted attempting to slither up the hotel’s exterior, reportedly became trapped in window railings while reaching for water droplets dripping from an air-conditioning unit. Eyewitnesses described the reptile’s size and unusual appearance as unlike anything they had seen before.
Responding to frantic distress calls, trained volunteers Ramachandra Sahu and Gauri Sahu from the non-profit Snake Helpline arrived swiftly to rescue the reptile. The operation drew a large, anxious crowd, but was conducted with caution and efficiency, ensuring no harm came to either the snake or the onlookers.
While initial panic led many to believe the snake was a king cobra, experts from Snake Helpline later dismissed the claim. Instead, they described the snake as a rare and potentially non-native species—possibly of Chinese origin—though its exact classification remains unconfirmed.
“There’s a strong possibility that this snake could be an exotic pet, either abandoned or escaped. It does not match the morphology of any known native species,” said a representative from the organisation.
Following standard protocol, the rescued snake was released into the Kerandi forest. The decision, while praised by some for its conservation-forward approach, has prompted concern from wildlife experts who warn of the risks associated with introducing unidentified, possibly invasive species into local ecosystems.
As of the latest reports, the snake’s identity remains a mystery, and wildlife authorities have yet to confirm its origin or species.
