Record-Breaking 16.5 Feet Long King Cobra Rescued From Subhang Village By Barak Valley Wildlife Division

In a remarkable feat, the Barak Valley Wildlife Division rescue team successfully captured what is being hailed as the largest king cobra ever rescued in the history of Barak Valley. The rescue operation took place on the morning of April 11 at Subhang Tea Garden village, following a distress call from local residents.

The massive snake, measuring an astonishing 16.5 feet in length, left the rescue team and onlookers stunned. “We’ve been rescuing snakes for years, especially king cobras, but we’ve never seen one this big,” said Trikal Chakrabarty, a wildlife conservationist and renowned snake rescuer who led the operation. The serpent was not only enormous but also elusive—slithering from one house to another, making the rescue operation highly challenging.

Despite the hurdles, the team, which included Trikal Chakrabarty, Sabir Ahmed Laskar, and Manashjyoti Pegu, managed to safely capture the king cobra after over three hours of effort. A large crowd had gathered at the site, prompting the team to also conduct an impromptu awareness session about the species and the importance of its conservation.

Speaking to Barak Bulletin, Chakrabarty said, “It was very difficult to get hold of the snake. All our devices failed to capture and rescue it. Later, we had to make special arrangements. It took us more than 3 hours. King cobras are usually very difficult to handle, but with the cooperation of my team and a lot of patience, we were able to safely relocate the reptile.”

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world’s longest venomous snake and can grow up to 18 feet. Despite their fearsome reputation, king cobras are shy and avoid confrontation. Their venom, while not the most toxic, can deliver a large quantity in a single bite—enough to kill an elephant or 20 humans. They primarily feed on other snakes and are crucial to maintaining ecological balance.

In India, the king cobra is protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, making it illegal to harm or capture them without proper authorisation. The successful rescue and release of this record-breaking reptile into its natural habitat is being hailed as a landmark moment for wildlife conservation efforts in the Barak Valley.