King Cobra caught in Loakan Proper, Baguio City
Personnel from the Northern Exotics and Wildlife Troopers (NEWT), a non-governmental wildlife conservation organization based in Baguio city responded to a call to catch a cobra inside a house in Brgy. Loakan Proper, Baguio City.
Around 5 pm of September 30, 2021, the NEWT was contacted by sir Nimrod Boleyley and was requesting help to catch a cobra found inside his house in Brgy. Loakan Proper.
Trooper Nusty Juyag and NEWT veterinarian Dr. Sean Serrano immediately responded in coordination with Barangay Captain Edouard Cayetano.
On the way to the area, they were told that officers from the Philippine National Police had taken the snake. Captain Cayetano escorted the NEWT troopers to BCPO Station 4 to check on the snake.
Upon arrival at the station, they were pointed to where the snake was kept (a sack of dog food). When assessing the snake under dim lights the troopers noticed something unusual with the snake, it wasn't a Philippine cobra.
The snake turned out to be a juvenile King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) an endangered species of snakes found in South East Asia. The NEWT was surprised with this find and commended the Barangay and officers for prioritizing the snake's welfare rather than killing it.
The snake now named "Quatro" by the officers of Baguio City Police Office Station 4 will be cared for until it is turned over to the hands of the DENR-CAR.
Update: "Quatro" the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) has been turned over to the DENR-CAR regional office in Baguio City. It is now in the hands of the Conservation and Development Department.
Barred Coral Snake caught in Ucab, Itogon, Benguet
A Barred Coral Snake (Hemibungarus calligaster) was caught by sir Jahn Dee Laduan. A resident of Ucab, Itogon, Benguet last October 1.
It was found near their house. And being concerned for the animal's welfare decided to contact the NEWT. NEWT Trooper Chabelita Bulos responded and took the snake in her care.
It was then evaluated by NEWT veterinarians Dr. Sean Serrano and Dr. Danielle Dolipas before passing it over to the care of Trooper Nusty Juyag. It will be brought to the DENR-CAR regional office this week for final evaluation before its release.
Barred coral snakes are part of the Elapidea family which includes cobras and sea snakes. Although they are venomous, bites are rare as the snakes prefer to avoid human interaction and will seldom bite even when disturbed.
King Cobra caught and killed in Mankayan, Benguet
A king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) was caught and unfortunately killed in Mankayan, Benguet. The Province has recently seen an increase in documented encounters with this endangered species.
The king cobra is distributed all over South East Asia and India. As the longest venomous snake in the world, they are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and the lack of knowledge about them leading people to kill them.
These snakes help in controlling the population of pests and other snakes and are known to preferably avoid humans whenever possible. Fatal encounters only occur when the snake is cornered or spooked. In the Philippines, It is illegal to catch, kill, or consume any wildlife or its derivatives.
