In a swift and coordinated rescue operation, a Spectacled Cobra measuring approximately 3 feet was safely rescued from Vaibhav Society, Daulat Nagar, Borivali (East) following a distress call received from alert citizen Anish Daddikar. The rescue was carried out by Siddhesh Thavre, a dedicated volunteer of the joint team animal welfare NGOs OIPA, Amma Care Foundation (ACF) and PAWS-Mumbai.
Sunish Subramanian Kunju, OIPA Maharashtra’s (India) representative, stated that upon rescue, it was observed that the cobra was in distress and unable to close its mouth. “It appeared that something was lodged inside, causing discomfort,” he said.
The snake was immediately taken to Dr. Manish Pingle, the wildlife veterinarian. Upon close examination and with utmost safety precautions, the cobra was manually restrained. Dr. Pingle discovered that a decaying rat skull, including bony remains, was stuck deep in the snake’s mouth and food pipe, preventing it from functioning normally.
“The skull and decomposing material were carefully extracted using forceps. The entire oral and esophageal area was flushed with normal saline to ensure it was clean and to prevent any infection,” said Dr. Pingle.
After the successful procedure, the cobra regained normal movement and showed signs of recovery. It was later safely released back into its natural habitat after informing the Forest Department, as per protocol.
The timely intervention and teamwork between alert citizens, rescuers, and veterinary experts highlight the importance of rapid response and public cooperation in urban wildlife conservation with the support of the Forest Department.
