A sub-adult Samar cobra was rescued from a backyard of a house in Pigcawayan, Cotabato.

The cobra was found by a resident, Ryanmark Doctolero, who was alarmed after noticing the sudden disappearance of his chicks.

He reported the incident to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), which responded promptly and coordinated with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Midsayap.

After four days of observation and care, the veterinarian declared the snake to be in good health and fit for release.

The snake measuring 1.5 meters in length and weighing around 800 grams was released back into the wild on August 5, 2025.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-SOCCSKSARGEN (DENR-12), the Samar cobra is native to the islands of Visayas and Mindanao.

It is known for its ability to spit venom at the eyes of perceived threats, a defense mechanism that can cause intense pain or even permanent blindness.

DENR-12 said that while the species typically inhabits forests and lowland areas, it may occasionally enter human settlements in search of prey such as rats, frogs, and lizards.

“Bagaman nakalista bilang “Least Concern” sa IUCN Red List, nananatiling bantad ang populasyon ng Samar Cobra. Dahil dito, nananawagan ang CENRO Midsayap sa publiko na agad iulat sa pinakamalapit na opisina ng DENR o MENRO ang anumang wildlife encounter,” DENR-12 said.

DENR-12 reminded the public that harming or killing wildlife is prohibited under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147).