mangalore today

‘Snake’ catchers tackle King Cobra at Gurupura Kaikamba


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 08, 2016: A family at Gurupura Kaikamba near Mangaluru was surprised at the  weekend—a king cobra more than 12 feet, a rare sight here now , which may have come from the area around.

king cobra.“Snake” Gangesh Bolar and his disciple Suvith, known as “Snake” Papu immediately came on the scene.  Ganesh has been dealing with reptiles for over four decades and has passed on the skill to  Papu, aged 31. The teacher-disciple duo was able to coax the king cobra out of the shoe rack and bagged it within a few minutes.  Papu said the king cobra was sighted and caught for the second time in Gurupura Kaikamba area. He further said, “It was an exhilarating moment for us as we have caught a King Cobra for the first time.”

A fan of“Snake” Shyam of Mysuru,  Papu said he has caught over 2,250 snakes in the last 10 years. The king cobra has now been handed over to the Pilikula Biological Park at Moodushedde.

His teacher Gangesh, 63, is a fisherman and learnt the art of handling snakes from his grandfather Angara Pandit Bolar, who used to give home medicine for snake bites. Gangesh said his student is a fast learner and has ably tamed the king cobra very quickly. He said the duo also rescue and treat injured snakes and release them to the wild through the Biological Park authorities. They also take care of abandoned snake eggs, hatch and release these young ones in to the wild.

The park authorities said the king cobra that was handed over to them was male.  At present, the cobra is not kept in the display area and a decision in this regard would be taken soon.