Seized king cobra eggs being cared for at Anees' house

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JUNE 19. The king cobra eggs, which have been seized at Sagar in Shimoga District three days ago, are now being cared for at the house of Mr. Mohammed Anees in the City.

And if these eggs hatch, it may well be history in the making. According to officials of the Forest Department and Mr. Anees, king cobra eggs have been rarely hatched in captivity.

Mr. Anees said if these eggs hatch, it would be a record and a honour for Karnataka. ``King cobra eggs have been hatched only twice in captivity. Once at the San Diego Zoo (U.S) and at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. This will be the first time that they will be hatching in a home,'' he added.

He said king cobras grew up to 18.5 feet compared to cobras which would grow up to six-and-a-half feet. Moreover, King cobras were found in the thick forests. Unlike cobras, they were not found in the City.

Mr. Anees told The Hindu here on Tuesday that the Forest Department had entrusted him with 32 king cobra eggs the day before. The forest officials reportedly seized the eggs from a snake-enthusiast at Sagar. The man had been charged with the violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

``He had taken them away without informing the forest officials. He thought these eggs could be hatched the way chicken eggs hatch so he had put them in a plastic drum filled with hay and husk,'' Mr. Anees said. This resulted in dehydration. ``Snake eggs need 100 per cent humidity.'' When Mr. Anees got the eggs, he found two of them damaged.

He said the eggs needed constant care. Since fungus formed on the eggs, they had to be brushed with anti-fungal powder every six hours. Besides, there was no guarantee that they would hatch. ``If they take in a lot of water, they will revive in eight to 10 days. Till then we will have to wait and watch,'' he added.

He said since no one knew when these eggs were laid, it would be difficult to know when they would hatch.

The Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bannerghatta National Park, Mr. B.M.T.Rajeev, said it would be history if these eggs hatched. The park had six king cobras, none of which had been bred in captivity.

He said he had received conflicting reports about the seizure of the eggs. ``Forest officials themselves wanted to know if the possession of king cobra eggs was a non-bailable offence. Though it is bailable, punishment is severe because king cobra comes under schedule one of the Act. In this case, possession of its eggs can lead to seven years' imprisonment,'' he added.

Now, the eggs lie in an incubator at Mr. Anees' house.

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