A female King Cobra (Scientific name is Ophiophagus hannah) weighing around 4.5 kg having a Length of 9 ft approx. was rescued from a house in Dwarbond near Assam University by two research scholars, Biswajit Singha and Sumit Nath. Later it was released in Ecoforest.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is a large elapid snake endemic to forests from India through Southeast Asia. It is threatened by habitat destruction. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List as assessed in 2011.  A single individual lives for 5-6 years.

This most poisonous snake is abundant in the Assam University and its adjoin areas. Needless to say, the area where the Assam University, Silchar has been established falls in the last leg of the vast area of Inner Line Reserve Forest (ILRF). The ILRF harbours a rich heritage of diverse flora and fauna informed Prof. Parthankar Choudhury of Assam University.

Although there is no previous report of this deadly snake from the Assam University and adjoining areas, the species was first observed by Biswajit Singh, the research scholar during May 2018 from Vorakhai Tea Estate, Cachar, where 4 such individuals were found to occur. Subsequently, in September of the same year, a young individual was seen within the Assam University premises. In July 2019 another individual was seen at Loharbond area in Cachar district. During the early part of this year, it was reported from Rosekandi Tea Estate. In all these cases, the snake was rescued.

But one incidence that happened during Durgapuja, this year where the villagers killed one King Cobra. When the report came in, it was already killed, and there was no chance to rescue the individual! It needs to be emphasized here that as per the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the King Cobra is a schedule-1 animal and killing it is a punishable offence that leads to 5 years of imprisonment and fine up to Rs. 25,000/-. 

The two scholars, Biswajit Singha and Sumit Nath, under the vigilance of Prof. Parthankar Choudhury, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar are doing a laudable task as both are actively engaged in rescuing this and all other animals as and when any sort of animal casualty in the Barak valley region is reported.