In perhaps the first of its capture in the city, a week-old albino king cobra, one of the rarest of its kind, was rescued at J.P. Park in Mathikere on Monday. While panicked calls to rescue snakes peak around monsoons, Rajesh Kumar, wildlife volunteer, was shocked to find it was an albino snake. Albinism is extremely rare in reptiles. The genetic trait causes an absence of pigments, turning animals pale.
“In my ten years of experience of catching snakes, I have yet to come across Albino snakes. Even experienced snake catchers have not spotted one in Bengaluru,” said Mr. Kumar. The barely a-week-old snake was eventually rescued and found to be healthy. It was released into a suitable habitat.