A local snake handler known as the “Snake Lady” rescued a king cobra measuring approximately 10 feet [1] from a home in Bihar.
The incident highlights the increasing frequency of human-wildlife conflict in India's border regions, where extreme weather often pushes dangerous predators into residential areas.
Janki Devi, who is recognized locally for her expertise in handling reptiles, intervened on Wednesday evening after the snake entered a house in the West Champaran district. The village is located in the Valmikinagar block, situated near the India-Nepal border and the Valmiki Tiger Reserve. Reports on the specific village name vary between Bishaha and Vishaha.
Local reports said that heavy monsoon rains drove the cobra out of its natural forest habitat and into the village. After securing the animal, Devi transported the snake and released it back into the Valmiki Tiger Reserve forest.
While some reports describe the rescue as a safe operation, other accounts suggest Devi was bitten during the process. The discrepancy in reports regarding the bite reflects the chaotic nature of the rescue, though the snake was successfully removed from the home.
Devi's familiarity with the local terrain and wildlife allowed her to manage the animal without causing harm to the snake or the residents. The king cobra is one of the world's most venomous snakes, making the rescue a high-risk operation for the community.
“Janki Devi rescued a king cobra measuring approximately 10 feet from a home in Bihar.”
The displacement of apex predators like the king cobra into human settlements is a direct consequence of habitat disruption caused by seasonal monsoon flooding. As extreme weather events become more frequent in the West Champaran region, the reliance on local experts like Janki Devi underscores a gap in formal wildlife management infrastructure near protected reserves.
