In an act of courage and expertise, Beat Forest Officer GS Roshni from the Paruthipalli Range, Kerala Forest Department, rescued a massive king cobra from a residential stream near Anchumaruthumoot, Peppara, in Thiruvananthapuram. The snake, which measured nearly 15 feet in length and weighed around 20 kilograms, was spotted by locals bathing in the stream on Sunday.

This marked Roshni’s first encounter with a king cobra, though she has rescued over 800 snakes both venomous and non-venomous during her eight-year career.

ALSO READ

Speaking to PTI, Roshni described the snake as a mature specimen, her first king cobra rescue due to the rarity of sightings in southern Kerala. She confirmed the snake was caught around 12:30 pm and later released into deep forest areas.

Single-handed rescue video goes viral

Visuals of the daring rescue aired on TV channels and quickly went viral online. The video showed Roshni calmly handling the massive serpent alone, using a hooked stick and a snake bag. At one point, she gently said “please” to the cobra as she tried to guide it into the bag. After a few failed attempts, she successfully bagged the snake within six minutes.

Roshni was part of a five-member Rapid Response Team (RRT), but she executed the rescue largely on her own, drawing admiration for her composure and skill.

Internet applauds Roshni’s bravery

Social media users poured in praise and awe for Roshni’s courage. One user commented, “Strength is not always in muscle or gender! It’s in heart and dedication.” Others pointed out the contrast between her actions and typical reactions to small household pests like lizards and cockroaches.

Another viral comment read, “Girls jump off the cliff if they see a cockroach, but this lady is tackling a cobra like it’s a leech.”

ALSO READ

However, some users also raised safety concerns, pointing out the lack of basic protective gear such as gaiters, leggings, or snake chaps.