Jakarta, ThedailyID — Around 900 snakes escaped from a breeding farm in Hengzhou, southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, after flash floods destroyed the facility.
The escaped reptiles, including venomous cobras, sparked fear among residents. Authorities said at least one villager suffered a snake bite.
Local officials have deployed emergency teams to manage the situation and search for the escaped snakes.
On Tuesday, social media users shared photos and videos showing the damaged snake farm in Dengwei Village. Many posts also urged nearby residents to take extra precautions.
Some users claimed several villagers had been bitten and faced limited access to medical supplies and treatment.
“The incident occurred on July 6. Based on our initial estimate, around 800 to 900 snakes escaped after floodwaters swept away the farm,” Dengwei Village Committee head Wu Zhi said, according to Global Times.
“So far, one villager has suffered a snake bite and is receiving emergency treatment at a hospital,” he added.
Wu said not all of the escaped snakes were venomous. Most were non-venomous water snakes.
A local resident identified as Shen said the snake farm stood in a low-lying area near surrounding hills.
Flooding from the Liulan and Yunbiao reservoirs inundated nearby communities. As a result, snakes from several smaller farms also escaped into surrounding areas.
Local farmers reportedly breed three main species: cobras, king rat snakes, and water snakes.
A local breeder named Lei estimated that many snakes from smaller farms escaped during the flooding. However, he said prolonged exposure to floodwater would likely kill many of them.
Following the incident, dozens of residents from nearby villages volunteered to form snake-catching teams to help authorities contain the situation.
