‘Liberated’ cobras seized by officials
Print Edition
Minhang wildlife protection authorities seized 25 cobras that they believe were “freed” by residents with “kind intentions.”
The snakes were captured on Caobao Road near the Outer-Ring Elevated Road.
Authorities said the reptiles scared passing pedestrians, who called police.
“They looked like cobras,” said a woman surnamed Li. “It was very disturbing to see them on the road.”
The Minhang Fire Brigade was dispatched to capture the snakes.
The night before, authorities said they caught seven cobras followed a phone call from a distressed resident. Since it was dark, they had to abandon the search for more snakes. Upon its resumption the next day, 17 more cobras were seized.
The cobras were about three fingers’ wide and 1-meter long, authorities said. Most were entwined together and were lethargic when cornered by their captors. Some of them were molting.
The Minhang Wildlife Protection Office said the cobras were an introduced species.
“Shanghai has only one species of poisonous snake — the short-tailed mamushi,” said an unidentified official with the office.
“The cobras were close to hibernation, so they were not active or aggressive. Otherwise, their release near public parks and shopping malls could have been dangerous.”
The office issued a statement reminding the public that it is illegal to buy protected wildlife without a permit and that releasing introduced species into the environment may upset the ecological balance.
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