Berhampur: A massive 12-foot-long king cobra was rescued on Tuesday from a woodpile near a house in Pendurakhandi village under Kaithakhandi panchayat in Digapahandi block of Ganjam district, triggering panic among local residents.
According to reports, the highly venomous snake was found hiding inside a stack of firewood located close to a residential area. Alarmed villagers immediately alerted members of the Snake Helpline team, who rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation.
The operation proved challenging as the area was experiencing a power outage due to continuous rainfall. Rescuers had to depend on torchlights and mobile phone flashlights to locate the reptile in the dark. Despite the difficult conditions, the team managed to carefully capture the king cobra without causing any harm to the animal or nearby residents.
Following the rescue, the snake was released into a nearby forest, ensuring its safe return to its natural habitat.
Meanwhile, residents in Digapahandi and adjoining Chikiti areas have expressed concern over the increasing frequency of king cobras straying into human settlements. The repeated sightings have left villagers anxious, prompting calls for greater awareness and precautionary measures to prevent potential human-wildlife conflict.
