Albino cobra fetches two million

The disappearance of an albino cobra, couple of weeks ago, and later dumped near the zoo of the Dehiwala Zoo (Sri Lanka) has caused the officials there to suspect that ten such snakes might have been stolen and sold to buyers in the recent past, though it was claimed that the reptiles had died.

Meanwhile, an employee of the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens is alleged to have inquired about the albino snake before it went missing, and claimed that he had got an offer of two million rupees for it.
 
Insiders said that their investigations have revealed that the same employee even had pictures of the missing albino cobra.
 
The missing albino cobra was being kept in the excess enclosure where most of the animals from outside are brought in.
 
"There were about 15 boxes with two sets of keys. It is not an easy task to identify the keys without the help of supervisor who has the key and also only an expert can handle a poisonous snake," a senior zoo official added.

Albino cobra that went missing found!

The albino cobra, that went missing from the National Zoological Gardens (NZG) Dehiwela on 15 July 2014, was found inside the NZG premises yesterday (17).

NZG officials told Ceylon Today the cobra, which is about two feet-long was found inside a pillow case near the Bird Performance Section by the keepers.
 
"The pillow case had been thrown over the NZG wall with the albino cobra inside. The cobra had small wounds on its body.

We think the cobra was injured when it was taken from the cage before it was taken out of the NZG," NZG officials said.

They added a veterinary surgeon had examined the snake and said the wounds are not serious and no medication is required.
 
"There are three albino cobras at the NZG. When there are too many to be exhibited we keep some snakes in separate cages. While two albinos are on display, the third one is kept in a cage under lock and key and away from the public," NZG officials explained.

They added that the snake was handed over to the Dehiwela Police since there is a police case and that they believe this was an inside job.

The albino cobra was produced in the Mount Lavinia Magistrate's Courts and on a Court order was taken back to the NZG.

According to the police investigations are ongoing and no suspects have been arrested as yet.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.