Philippine cobra safely rescued, released after being found in Albay home

A Philippine cobra was safely rescued and released in Albay after it was found hiding beneath the floor of a residential house.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Thursday, the cobra had crawled into holes under the house flooring, making the operation of snake rescuer Mark John Magdato difficult.

With the homeowner’s consent, the rescue team partially broke the floor to reach the snake.

“Humingi po kami ng consent sa may-ari kasi ‘yung lungga po nung cobra is nakasiksik po doon mismo sa ilalim po ng kanilang bahay. So pumayag naman po sila,” Mark John said.

The team carefully removed the flooring until the cobra was spotted.

“‘Yung Philippine Cobra po is kasing laki na rin po ng braso ng bata,” Mark John said. “So gumagamit po kami ng mga snake tongs, snake clips, tsaka snake hook. Importante rin po ‘yung pagbu-boots natin para in case po matuklaw tayo ay sa boots po muna tatama ‘yung kanilang kagat.”

The snake was eventually captured and examined roadside. 

“Kapag po kasi may sugat ‘yung cobra or matamlay, dinadala po namin ito sa rescue center para mabigyan po ng lunas ng ating mga veterinarian. Minsan naman po ay tine-turnover po natin ito sa [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] para mas alam po nila kung saan po i-release,” Mark John said.

Since the snake was in good condition, it was placed in a sack and released back into its natural habitat.

According to herpetologist Kyle Anadeo Tamayo, the public should expect more sightings during the breeding season.

“Usually, breeding season nila, nagsa-start from January to April kasi mas stable ang condition eh para mag-mate sila. Hindi pabago-bago ‘yung weather. Expect natin na marami talagang maghahanap ng makakain at mga maghahanap din ng mga partners nila since 'yung mga females, nagkakalat din ‘yan ng pheromones sa paligid and hindi lang isang male ‘yung na-a-attract,” he said.

“Pwedeng maraming males ang sumunod kaya nagkakaroon tayo ng increase na sightings. Kaya minsan bumababa sila sa bundok. Nakikita natin sila sa mga daan, minsan malapit sa ating mga bahay,” the expert said.

Meanwhile, Kuya Kim shared tips on what to do when one encounters a cobra in one's area. 

"Wag magpanic at wag na wag itong lalapitan. Wag din nating tangkain na saktan o patayin ang mga ito. Paglabag kasi ito sa Republic Act 9147 or Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Sa halip, bigyan natin sila ng safe space para sila'y makaalis o di kaya i-report agad ang sighitng sa kinauukuluan gaya ng DENR na siyang mas maalam sa kung ano ang dapat gawin," he advised. 

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News