COBRA SNAKE ESCAPE FLORIDA SERIES

'Public safety and the welfare of animals are certainly our priorities,' FWC spokesman Greg Workman said in a statement. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the Kennedys' new cage was inspected and meets the agency's requirements. 'We're thankful for law enforcement and what everyone's done for us.' Kennedy's wife, Valerie Kennedy, said she was happy to have Elvis back home. It was trying to go into the garage area and it was a little aggravating at that point in time.'Ī microchip inside the snake confirmed that it was the missing cobra. ' We just didn't want it to get away and it started to get away and started to go into the house,' Porter said. I then put the contained snake in a secondary soft carrier that I had in the truck, double-securing the snake.' 'I attempted to put the snake in my snake box, but it was too large to fit,' said Ledford, who has extensive knowledge and experience handling exotic animals. 'When it (raised) up, it was taller than me.'Īn escaped king cobra is caught in Ocoee.Īnimal Services said the snake's posturing allowed Officer Kirsten Jones to secure the snake's tail while Ledford overtook the animal with tongs. 'It was approximately 8 to 10 feet in length,' said Jenifer Porter, Orange County Animal Services Senior Officer. 'I did notice when I was there it was acting aggressive and, of course, was hissing,' Ledford said. Ledford said the snake put up a fight before being caught. 'All she knew was that it was a very large snake. 'She didn't know exactly what kind of snake it was,' Animal Services Senior Officer Billy Ledford said. She called Orange County Animal Services, which retrieved the king cobra, named Elvis, and returned it to Kennedy. Officials said the woman was putting clothes in her dryer when she heard a hissing sound and discovered the snake. The 8- to 10-foot snake was found at a home in the 5000 block of Sawdust Circle in Ocoee, about a quarter-mile from where it was reported missing in early September by its owner, Mike Kennedy, who lives near North Apopka Vineland Road, just south of Clarcona Ocoee Road. – A venomous king cobra that escaped from its Orlando home more than a month ago was found and captured late Wednesday night behind a dryer inside a woman's garage. Still, remember that point to look around first.ORLANDO, Fla. “Getting struck by lightning is much more likely than being hurt by this animal,” he said. Nevertheless, Kennedy points out that it’s unlikely anyone will be bitten. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission advises that if you come across the snake, do not try to catch it.Īccording to National Geographic, king cobras are shy when it comes to humans, but if cornered, they get riled up. However, he believes it’s within 100 yards of the building because it’s not acclimated to captivity and afraid of human interaction. “All it wants to do is stay hidden,” Kennedy said. It probably won’t be easy to find the snake. The snake is green and white and is probably hunting for other snakes, lizards or small mammals. The missing snake slithered out within the past 24 hours, wildlife officials said Wednesday afternoon. Kennedy is licensed to own the deadly snakes and told authorities that the other venomous snakes, including a female king cobra, in his home are in their enclosures. The situation is his “worst nightmare,” he added. “It has been incredibly traumatic for me and my family.” “It’s horrible that this has happened,” he said. They’re all experienced snake handlers, according to the FWC.Īn FWC biologist is assisting in the capture plan, and officers are patrolling a nearby elementary school. The ensuing flooding allowed the snake to escape its cage.Ĭurrently 10 people are searching the 10-acre property where the king cobra went missing, including a Kennedy team and one from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

COBRA SNAKE ESCAPE FLORIDA SERIES

The snake escaped from his cage because of weather-related events, Kennedy said.Īfter a series of storms, a limb fell on the house, where the snake’s cage is located. The snake’s owner, Mike Kennedy, describes him as 8 feet long - not very big as king cobras go - but still a very venomous visitor to Central Florida. ORLANDO - A word of advice to the people of Orlando: Before you step outside Thursday or send your pet out into the backyard, take a little extra time to look around first.Įspecially if you live near the 4800 block of North Apopka Vineland Road.

Cobra snake escape florida