India snake rescue turns fatal after cobra escapes broken box and bites handler

A snake rescue in central India ended in tragedy after 25-year-old snake rescuer Aman Gohiya died from a cobra bite after capturing the animal.

Here's what to know

In Dungra village in Mandla district, a cobra bite during a rescue call later proved fatal for Gohiya, according to Bhaskar English.

Gohiya and a companion went to a village 6 kilometers (about 3.7 miles) away from Bichhiya to remove the snake.

The snake rescuer captured the cobra, but the bite occurred afterward. When Gohiya attempted to place the captured snake into a plastic box, it escaped through a damaged section at the back and bit his leg, the outlet reported.

After being taken first to the Bichhiya Community Health Centre, Gohiya was referred to Mandla District Hospital. Mandla District Hospital Civil Surgeon Dr. Vijay Dhurve said MD Medicine specialist Dr. Mohsin supervised his treatment there, but his condition remained critical despite medical care.

More background

Bhaskar English reported that Gohiya attempted to contain the snake, holding the cobra with one hand and the container with the other. The container was reportedly broken, and Gohiya was not wearing protective clothing.

Snake rescues like this often happen in villages and expanding residential areas, where people and wildlife are pushed into closer contact.

When snakes enter homes, farms, or storage spaces, residents may call local rescuers in hopes of preventing harm to both people and the animal.

Human settlement, land-use changes, and daily activity can increase encounters with wild animals. Attacks are often shaped by the ways humans alter habitats and come into closer range of wildlife.

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