The New Indian Express

Mangalore, May 18: The jubilations that began a week ago at the Pilikula Biological Park, located on city's outskirts, have now been replaced by gloom.

When 'Rani', the king cobra began showing indications and leaving telltale signs of laying eggs, (he authorities were naturally overjoyed. After a patient wait of over five years the king cobras were brewing in captivity.
 
Four days ago, Rani began laving shiny eggs one by one. A king cobra generally completes the process of laying eggs within a week. After having laid 15 eggs, Rani's body contorted and the next moment she was dead. There were still 35 eggs inside her.

The grief-stricken zoo authorities suspect that Rani died unable to get the eggs out of her body. "We suspect that Rani might have died like women dying during miscarriages," an official in the Nisargadhama said.

Meanwhile, the Park is leaving no stones unturned in its efforts to protect the 15 eggs laid by Rani. "Most of the eggs were attacked by fungus," the official informs and adds, "We are trying to save them by spraying anti-fungals."

Efforts are also on to provide artificial incubation in a protected environment to ensure the safe hatching of eggs.