Bengaluru: In a significant step to curb commercial exploitation of king cobras (Ophiophagus hannah), the govt has banned private rescuers and research organisations from handling the species. Henceforth, only trained forest personnel will be authorised to rescue and rehabilitate king cobras across the state.The decision follows multiple media reports highlighting how the rescued snakes were being exploited for commercial gain by wildlife photographers and documentary filmmakers. Reports published by TOI in Aug and Sept exposed such practices in Agumbe (Shivamogga) and detailed a crackdown by the forest mobile squad in Madikeri. The forest minister ordered an inquiry into such incidents.In a letter to the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden, forest minister Eshwar Khandre acknowledged both the shortage of trained snake rescuers in the department and the risks of misuse when private individuals are allowed to handle the reptiles. “Recently, a video of a woman forester in Kerala fearlessly rescuing a king cobra went viral. Karnataka too has some trained personnel, but their numbers are limited. The minister now wants more forest personnel to be trained in snake rescue and handling,” said a senior forest officer.Strict guidelines for rescuesAs per the minister’s directive, whenever king cobras are found in human habitations or plantations — particularly in the Malnad districts and Kodagu regions — trained forest staff must carry out rescues and ensure proper rehabilitation. “In exceptional cases where private rescuers already recognised by the department need to be involved, the operation must be conducted strictly under the supervision of forest officials,” Khandre instructed in his note to the chief wildlife warden.
