Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Van Vihar has finally received permission from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to bring two King Cobra snakes, both male, from Pilikula Biological Park of Karnataka.
Now, Van Vihar authorities are busy preparing the enclosure for the King Cobra snakes. It will be the first time in the history of Madhya Pradesh that King Cobra snakes are being translocated. The state does not have King Cobra snakes.
It is CM Mohan Yadav who is showing keen interest in having King Cobra snakes in the state. He has spoken about the rehabilitation of King Cobra snakes on many occasions and even directed Forest officials to work on a plan for their rehabilitation in the state’s forests.
Interacting with Free Press, Van Vihar National Park Director Avdesh Meena said that permission has been received to bring King Cobras, and subsequently, their enclosures are being prepared.
Challenges of the King Cobra Project
The King Cobra’s diet consists of other snakes. It eats other snakes to satiate its hunger. Hence, it will be a tough task for Van Vihar officials to arrange the diet for the King Cobra snakes.
CM Mohan Yadav, in the recently held Indian Forest Service meet in Bhopal, mentioned that when a King Cobra starts moving in the jungle, other snakes begin to flee, and amidst this, the King Cobra hunts the other snakes.
Sources said that the average length of a King Cobra snake is seventeen to eighteen feet. It can raise its hood in the air up to five to six feet. Hence, handling King Cobras inside the enclosure will be a difficult task for Van Vihar officials. As of now, Van Vihar does not have experts to handle King Cobra snakes.
The biggest worry for Van Vihar officials is that, so far, there is no vaccine available to treat King Cobra bite victims. The venom of a King Cobra can kill a person within a few minutes. Hence, Van Vihar officials are considering getting some of their staff trained on how to handle King Cobras inside their enclosures.
