Udala: A 12-foot-long king cobra, locally known as Ahiraj, was rescued from a residential area in Mayurbhanj district on Monday after it entered a chicken shop. The incident took place in Padmapokhari village under the Kaptipada forest range.A shopkeeper spotted the snake inside a chicken shop and immediately alerted the Kaptipada forest department.Forest officials, along with members of a local snake helpline, rushed to the spot. By then, the cobra had slipped out of the shop and hidden in a nearby bush.After an extended search, the team managed to rescue the snake safely. Later, the king cobra, measuring over 12 feet, was released into the Similipal forest.Forest officials said the snake is believed to have strayed from the nearby forest area. No injuries were reported during the rescue operation.
