Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Following the recent death of a King Cobra at Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal, the Indore Zoo management has become highly vigilant about the health and well-being of its own King Cobras. The zoo is now ensuring ideal environmental conditions to safeguard the health of the snakes.
Indore Zoo currently houses two King Cobras—a female rescued locally in 2022, and a male recently brought from Pilikula Biological Park, Karnataka. The male cobra, about 12 feet long and weighing 10.5 kg, has been under observation since its arrival. The female, which is slightly larger at around 13-14 feet, is about 5-6 years old and was rescued from snake charmers who had come to Indore from Maharashtra.
Zoo in-charge Dr Uttam Yadav said that special care is being taken to maintain appropriate humidity and temperature inside the snake house. "We are replicating the natural habitat of King Cobras to prevent any stress. After the incident in Bhopal, our level of alertness has increased significantly," he added.
The two cobras are kept in adjacent enclosures separated by a mesh gate, allowing visual contact but preventing physical interaction. This setup ensures they remain stimulated while being safe from potential conflict or mating stress.
Zoo curator and education officer Nihar Parulekar shared that the rescued female was in poor health at the time of rescue but recovered significantly with dedicated care. It remains the first-ever King Cobra in Indore Zoo.
The male King Cobra has now spent over a month in Indore, receiving food two to three times as per its dietary needs. The zoo continues to maintain a strict health monitoring routine, ensuring that both snakes remain in good health and under expert supervision.
