Unique Feat at Pilikula: Four Cobras Lay Eggs Under Simulated Conditions
 
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, May 23: At a time, four king cobras have laid eggs at the king cobra reproduction centre of Pilikula Dr Shivaram Karanth Biological Park.
 
As per records, nowhere in the world have king cobras laid eggs in a reproduction centre. Pilikula has thus set a world record by succeeding in an experiment that has been going on for the past seven years.
 
Pilikula has already got the tag of being one of the biggest ‘king cobra’ parks in the world, with 12 cobras among which five are female and seven male.

The five female cobras were prepared for reproduction. Nagini, Nagaveni, Rani, Nagamani are the ones that laid eggs. The male cobras involved were Nagendra, Nagaraj, Joy, Raja. Their average age ranges from 7 to 10 years.
 
There have been special studies on king cobras in Pilikula since 2003. It is natural that king cobras engage in reproduction in thick forests where suitable weather conditions prevail. But laying eggs in large quantities in a non-natural reproduction centre is unprecedented.
 
Director of the park Jayaprakash Bhandary says that their seven-year experiment has succeeded and this was a feather in the cap for the park. This will also help to conduct more studies, he added.
 
He explained that a cobra lays about 20 to 40 eggs. "But we are yet to ascertain exactly how many eggs each cobra has laid in this case," he said.
 

Separate Centre
 
At Pilikula separate reproduction has been created for king cobras. Due to technical reasons, visitors are not allowed.
 
An environment akin to that which prevails in the thick forest of western ghats, has been created in the centre, together with trees, plants, rocks, bush, hidden spots. Each move of the cobras is recorded with CC cameras. As per the requirement of reproduction process, temperature and humidity levels are maintained. The success is a result of much perseverance and special care.
 
Alongwith Jayaprakash Bhandary, scientific officer Vikram, inspector Roshan and snake caretaker Dinesh form the team that achieved this feat.
 

Rs 10 lac grant
 
The central government has given Rs 10 lac grant for this centre. The money is being released in phases.
 
To wait for the arrival of the ‘new guests’ here one will have to wait at least two months. Pilikula biological park MD J R Lobo expressed his happiness over this achievement.