Over 300 Venomous Snakes Rescued from Dhaka Homes in Four Months
Imagine waking up to find a cobra in your room, or hearing that a snake is slithering in your garage! Such terrifying encounters are becoming common in many areas of Dhaka.
Over the past four months, more than three hundred venomous snakes have been rescued from various densely populated areas of the capital. Snakes have been found inside homes, in garages, and even on the ninth floor of multi-story buildings. The rescued species include deadly varieties such as the Monocled Cobra (Padma Gokhra), Russell’s Viper, Spectacled Cobra (Khoiya Gokhra), and King Cobra (Raj Keute).
An Unusually High Presence
While snakes are usually seen more during the monsoon season (as rain fills their burrows and they seek dry shelter in homes or high places), the sheer number of venomous snakes found in a densely urbanized city like Dhaka is surprising researchers.
• Prof. Farid Ahsan of the Department of Zoology at Chittagong University termed the situation “abnormal and worrying.” He stated that while some snakes might exist in Dhaka’s shrubbery, finding them in such high numbers is truly concerning.
• Md. Mizanur Rahman, Research Associate at the Venom Research Center of Chittagong Medical College, suggested that the destruction of snake habitats by filling up the city’s water bodies and canals is forcing snakes into human homes for shelter.
Monocled Cobra Dominance
The Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) reported to BBC Bangla that they have rescued 351 snakes from various areas of Dhaka in the last four months. Only three were non-venomous; the rest were venomous.
• Adnan Azad, Convenor of BAWA, said they found the highest number of snakes in the RAJUK apartment area of Uttara Sector 18. They even rescued snakes from seven- and nine-story buildings, presumably climbed using creepers on the lower parts of the structures.
• The Monocled Cobra (Padma Gokhra) is the most prevalent species recovered—nearly 200 out of 351 were Monocled Cobras. In just the last two days, 38 Monocled Cobras, including adults, babies, and eggs, were recovered from several houses in Khilgaon.
• Professor Farid Ahsan noted that the Monocled Cobra is primarily a water-loving snake, preferring rivers, water bodies, and canals, although they are also found in nearby thickets and burrows.
Expert Analysis: Why Now?
Experts point to two primary factors for the surge:
1. Breeding Season: The snakes’ breeding season is currently ongoing. Adnan Azad noted that more snakes may be found until November, as October-November is the breeding season for the Monocled Cobra.
2. Habitat Loss: Mizanur Rahman stated, “We have essentially encroached upon the snakes’ territory.” He added that previously, people would simply kill the snakes, but the existence of rescue organizations is now bringing these incidents to light. Adnan Azad noted that areas like Aftabnagar, Uttara, and Diabari, which were previously snake habitats due to water bodies, have been replaced by buildings, pushing snakes into vacant plots and, ultimately, into homes when heavy rain floods their burrows.
Rescue and Legal Protocol
By law, rescued wild animals must be released back into nature.
• Mizanur Rahman confirmed that no one is permitted to keep the rescued snakes; only the Venom Research Center has approval for research purposes.
• Adnan Azad stated that the rescued snakes are typically released into forested areas outside the city where they can return to their natural environment without human contact. They inform the Forest Department after every operation, though not always possible immediately.
Experts warned that the snake nuisance will only increase if water bodies and canals are not protected, emphasizing the need for effective measures to protect wildlife habitats alongside human safety.
