Giant King Cobra Rescued From Chicken Shop In Odisha’s Kaptipada

According to sources, the shop owner noticed the giant reptile coiled inside the premises and was immediately overcome with fear. He promptly alerted the Kaptipada forest range officials who responded without delay. The sight of the venomous snake triggered anxiety among villagers, many of whom gathered at a safe distance as the rescue operation unfolded.

A joint team of forest officials and members of the Snake Helpline swiftly reached the spot and initiated a carefully coordinated rescue. Despite the snake’s intimidating size and highly venomous nature, trained personnel managed to safely capture it using specialised equipment, ensuring no harm came to either the reptile or the public.

Following the rescue, the cobra was transported and later released into the dense forests of Similipal National Park, a natural habitat known for its rich biodiversity. Officials said the snake likely strayed into the human settlement from nearby forest areas in search of prey, a phenomenon increasingly reported in regions bordering wildlife habitats.

Villagers expressed relief after the successful operation, praising the prompt action of the rescue teams.

In a similar incident earlier on April 7, another 12-foot-long king cobra was rescued from a woodpile near a house in Pendurakhandi village under Digapahandi block of Ganjam district. The snake was found hiding in a stack of firewood close to a residential area. Upon receiving information, local Snake Helpline members conducted a swift rescue operation and ensured its safe relocation.

“After initial spells of unseasonal summer rain, snakes often move out of forested areas into nearby villages in search of prey such as frogs. In the process, they may enter homes, closed shops, and other establishments. Residents should ensure that doors of houses and shops are kept tightly shut, with no gaps that could allow snakes to slip inside,” advised a member of the Snake Helpline.