Fourteen monocled cobra eggs have hatched at an animal shelter in Kalapara, Patuakhali, the first time eggs have been kept and cared for there.

After 46 days of special monitoring and care, the eggs hatched on Friday (18 September) at the animal shelter in the Pakhimara Bazar area of the upazila, producing 14 venomous hatchlings.

On 4 August, snake and wildlife rescuer Kawsar, also known as Hridoy, went to a house in the Banda area of Amtali upazila after hearing that a snake was inside. He did not find the snake, but found 14 monocled cobra eggs in the house. The eggs were safely recovered and taken to the animal shelter of Animal Lovers of Patuakhali.

The temperature and humidity of the eggs were closely monitored. The eggs were not moved unnecessarily and were cared for through regular observation. After the long 46-day wait, the young cobras broke out of their shells one by one on Friday.

Baijid Munshi, Kalapara team leader of Animal Lovers of Patuakhali, said: "After a long wait the eggs have hatched. Monocled cobra eggs usually take 60 to 70 days to hatch, but the time can be shorter or longer depending on temperature and humidity."

He added that a female monocled cobra usually lays 10 to 30 eggs. The hatchlings are venomous as soon as they emerge and can move about and hunt on their own.

The organisation said the hatchlings will soon be released into a suitable protected forest, in consultation with and on the instructions of the Wildlife Crime Control Unit and the Coastal Forest Department.

Kalapara forest range officer Monirul Islam said that although the monocled cobra is venomous, it plays an important role in keeping nature in balance. The hatchlings will be released into a suitable natural habitat on the advice and instructions of the forest department.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Arifuzzaman said: "This is a noble initiative. There is no alternative to such efforts to protect wildlife and biodiversity. The venomous hatchlings will be released after close observation."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.