The snake is an important link in maintaining the ecological balance of the world, and yet, they are also cursed to face people’s wrath every now and then. Before confirming if a serpent is venomous or not, fear often drives people to attack the reptile. Against this background, something praiseworthy happened in Washim where an a badly injured cobra was rushed to the hospital by villagers and a team of veterinarians performed a complex surgery to saved its life. The dramatic rescue followed a tragic incident in a farm at Borala Hisse village of Washim district. A farmer was ploughing the field when a pair of cobras emerged from their burrow and suddenly came in the path of the tractor. Before the driver could react, both snakes were struck by the sharp plough blade. The female cobra died on the spot while the male sustained critical injuries.

 

Its abdomen was torn open and internal organs were exposed, leaving the reptile on the brink of death. Upon receiving information from the farmer, Dhanraj Muthal of Kamathwada and local sarpamitra Mayuresh Mandhane rushed to the spot. After providing immediate first aid by applying turmeric to control infection and bleeding, they quickly transported the injured cobra to the District Animal Husbandry Hospital in Washim. Veterinarians at the hospital faced an unprecedented situation. According to officials it was the first time such a complex surgical procedure on a cobra had ever been attempted at the facility.

 

Determined to save the reptile, the veterinary team began emergency treatment.Dr Raja Gore from Karanja along with Assistant Livestock Development Officer Dr Jagdish Rathod and veterinarian Vishnu Gore carried out the operation. The surgery lasted nearly an hour during which the doctors carefully repositioned the snake’s internal organs and closed the wound with around 30 stitches. Snake rescuers Ganesh Phulumbarkar and Gopal Borchate from Dahi village also assisted during the procedure. The surgery proved successful and the cobra survived the critical phase, marking a rare achievement for the district veterinary hospital.

 

Experts described the case as an extraordinary example of wildlife rescue and veterinary dedication. Dr Gore said, “It was a major surgery, and such procedures on snakes are extremely rare in district-level facilities,” he noted. Taluka Animal Husbandry Officer Dr Bhagwatrao Mahale commended the initiative taken by the rescuers. He said people often kill snakes out of fear, even though they play an important role in agriculture by controlling rodent population. “This effort shows how awareness and compassion can protect wildlife,” he commented.