Udupi residents turn to local hero when kitchen cobra appears

An elderly resident of Udupi’s Karkala village found a venomous cobra straddling her kitchen doorway at dawn. Panic spurred a quick phone call to a local “cobra‑hider” who arrived within minutes with a protective belt and a dilated glass bottle to calm the snake.

In the coastal district, residents have long relied on a community network of trained locals known as “jumbanks” who bear a bracelet with contact details of wildlife handlers. The system, which began after a 2015 incident that led to a fatal bite, ensures that anyone encountering a snake can receive professional guidance without waiting for official authorities.

While the incident ended without injury, officials have urged people to keep food containers sealed and avoid leaving doorways ajar during the monsoon, when cobras are more likely to venture indoors. “We want to promote safety but also respect these animals,” said district wildlife officer R. Bandara. Source: Google News – Udupi.