Critically injured giant king cobra saved by surgery in Sichon
A critically injured king cobra, believed to be the largest ever found in the district of Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, received emergency veterinary treatment after being discovered with severe wounds. At nearly 5 metres long and weighing almost 10 kilogrammes, the male snake was in critical condition with grave injuries near its cloaca.
The incident, which resulted in the first-known sterilization of a king cobra in Thailand, occurred due to the necessity of the surgery to save the reptile’s life.
Lieutenant Colonel Pornpitak Chimkorburi, a special forces training instructor, and Sergeant Major Phanthares Sampaosong, along with other military personnel from the Sichon Special Warfare Camp, carried the snake for medical attention at the Sichon Animal Hospital. Veterinarian Piyaporn Wattanapun was tasked with providing emergency care for the cobra.
During the surgery, Piyaporn discovered that the cobra suffered a severe laceration to its abdomen near the cloaca, with internal organs protruding. Anesthesia was administered, the wound was sutured, and parts of the reproductive organs were removed, rendering the king cobra sterilized—a measure taken under compelling circumstances. This procedure probably saved the snake’s life, as the festering wounds would have been fatal within days without intervention.
Throughout the treatment, the soldiers assisted in stabilizing the snake and remained by the veterinarian’s side for safety reasons. This collaborative effort between the military, the veterinary staff, and other personnel to save the life of the snake was highly commendable.
According to Lt. Col. Pornpitak, the king cobra was initially assisted by rescue workers after being attacked by a dog. It had climbed a mangosteen tree to escape.
The wounded reptile was handed over to the special forces camp after being brought down due to their expertise in handling cobras and other snakes. However, the severity of the injuries necessitated treatment at Sichon Animal Hospital, where Piyaporn offered her services without charge, considering it a wild animal and not wanting to burden the military officers who were caring for it, reported Sanook.
After the treatment, the soldiers took on the role of veterinary assistants, taking the snake back to the Special Warfare Camp to continue its recovery. They were responsible for dressing the wound and administering antibiotics daily until the snake fully recovered. Thereafter, a decision would be made to possibly release it back into the wild, returning it to its natural habitat.
