Massive king cobra rescued and released near Zolambe village in Kolhapur
: A massive 15-foot-long king cobra was rescued and released back into the wild near
Zolambe village
in Dodamarg taluka,
Sindhudurg district
. The snake was spotted slithering along a busy road, prompting alarmed villagers to alert snake rescuer Vitthal Gawas and the forest department.
Gawas safely captured the venomous reptile, and it was later released into its natural habitat in the presence of forest officials.
"The huge size of the snake caused panic among the villagers, and hence it was necessary to capture it without causing any harm to either the snake or the people," said Gawas. "After it was caught, the Dodamarg forest officer was informed, and a team led by range forest officer Vaishali Mandal arrived at the site. After careful assessment, the King Cobra was released into its natural forest habitat."
Sindhudurg, rich in biodiversity, remains a vital refuge for rare and threatened species, underscoring the need for active conservation.
"The king cobra is generally associated with dense forested areas, and Dodamarg has long been recognised as part of its natural range," said Mandal. "The villagers are advised not to panic upon sightings as king cobras usually avoid human settlements. If sighted, one should immediately contact the forest department."
The first official record of a king cobra in Maharashtra dates back to 2015 from Tilari in Chandgad taluka, Kolhapur district, highlighting the ecological value of the northern Western Ghats.
Ophiologist Rahul Shinde added, "The king cobra is identifiable by its yellowish-olive, greyish-green, or mossy-coloured body with pale crossbands. Unlike the Indian cobra, its hood is narrower and less flared. It is primarily ophiophagous, feeding on other snakes, and avoids human habitation."
Shinde said that while previously considered a single species across Asia, genetic studies have now reclassified king cobras into four species. In the Western Ghats, including Dodamarg, they are now identified as Ophiophagus kalinga, distinct from Ophiophagus hannah found in northern and eastern India.
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