King Cobra Rescued from Cowshed in Dhankuta

A 13-foot-long venomous king cobra has been rescued from Kagate, located on the border of wards 3 and 6 of Dhankuta Municipality.

The snake was safely captured on Saturday by Pradip Shrestha, a resident of Mahalaxmi Municipality–5, Leguwa. It had reportedly been staying for three days inside a cowshed belonging to local resident Bodh Prasad Wagley, situated at an altitude of around 1,300 metres above sea level.

Shrestha carried out the rescue after receiving information from locals, managing the operation despite significant risk. According to Bikash Ghimire, ward chair of Dhankuta Municipality–3, arrangements are being made to release the snake back into the forest in coordination with the Division Forest Office, Dhankuta.

Shrestha said that king cobras are highly venomous and rarely seen in hilly regions. “Its bite can cause severe complications and may even result in immediate death,” he said.

He added that the snake does not usually attack unless provoked, but can become aggressive if disturbed.

Shrestha, who has been involved in snake rescue operations for the past nine years, said he has rescued and released five king cobras into the wild from areas including Mahalaxmi and Pakhribas in Dhankuta over the past two years. He also noted that climate change could be a factor behind the increasing presence of such highly venomous snakes in hilly and colder regions.