Six Monocellate Cobras born in Nandankanan Zoo

Bhubaneswar,Aug 13 (UNI)For the first time in the history of Nandankanan Zoo,six baby Monocellate Cobras hatched from a single clutch of eggs of a captive Monocellate Cobra in the reptile park.

The six baby Monocellate Cobra (Naja kaouthia) differs from spectacled cobra in having only a single yellow or orange 'O' shaped mark on the hood.

Nandankanan Zoo Director Ajit Kumar Patnaik who described the incident as a major breakthrough for the park, said all the six young were healthy and active.

There were three Monocellate Cobras in the reptile park but with the new addition the number now has gone up to nine.

Mr.Pattnaik said the number of the Monocellate cobra in wild has been declining because of the fear psychosis about the Cobra in the mind of the people and is normally killed at the first sight.

The Nandankanan Zoo,he said, is contemplating to start a well designed education programme on snake to generate awareness about the conservation of the reptiles.

UNI