Palghar: Eight-year-old dies after cobra bite inside home

Snake found in house After Shravani was taken to the hospital and an extensive search of the house, the Indian spectacled cobra was found hiding in a corner under the bedding. Illustrations/Uday Mohite

An eight-year-old girl, Shravani Akshay Mandal, died after being bitten by an Indian spectacled cobra while lying on a mattress with her sister at their home in Varkunti village in Palghar district on Sunday afternoon. The snake bit the child through a bedsheet while the girls were watching videos on a mobile phone.

Her elder sister Aaradhya, 9, was unharmed. The girl's father, a snake rescuer, clarified that he hadn't been catching snakes for the past six months, and that the snake involved was not one he had caught and kept for later release.

Bad social media influence

Several Instagram accounts and social media pages feature videos of young children handling venomous and non-venomous snakes, often seemingly for likes, views, and social media engagement.

An Indian spectacled cobra. Representation pic/istock

Experts and those working in the field of snake conservation have repeatedly urged people to report such accounts and called on the forest department to take appropriate action. They warned that such videos often promote unsafe snake-handling practices and can encourage others to imitate them, potentially putting both humans and snakes at serious risk.

Expert Speak

Priyanka Kadam, president and founder, Snakebite Healing and Education Society, and member of WHO's roster of experts on snakebite envenoming
‘Most so-called snake rescuers are untrained handlers who prioritise social media content over scientific rescue practices and animal welfare. Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, handling native wildlife without authorisation is illegal, yet platforms are flooded with stunt videos featuring venomous snakes that generate significant income and inspire copycat behaviour. The disturbing trend of involving young children in such content has already had tragic consequences. This is a wake-up call for stricter enforcement of wildlife laws, responsible social media policies, and greater public awareness about respecting and conserving wildlife.'

Bit through bedsheet Shravani was bitten by the snake while lying on a mattress with her elder sister at their home in Varkunti village in Palghar district on Sunday afternoon. The snake bit the child through the bedsheet.

Bite goes unnoticed Shravani didn't immediately realise that she had been bitten. She later began feeling dizzy and uneasy and complained to her grandmother. The grandmother then informed the girl's father, who was at his farm located some distance away.

Rushed to hospital The family took some time to arrange transport to Palghar Government Hospital. Shravani remained somewhat conscious but began vomiting. She was taken inside the hospital for examination and treatment but succumbed.

Shravani Akshay Mandal. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Aug 2
Day incident took place

8
Age of Shravani Akshay Mandal