In a gripping wildlife rescue that has captured national attention, Beat Forest Officer GS Roshni of Kerala Forest Department displayed remarkable composure and courage as she rescued a massive 14 to 15-foot-long king cobra — her first ever — in just six minutes from a forest-fringe area near Peppara on Sunday.
A seasoned rescuer with over 800 snake rescues under her belt, Roshni was part of a five-member Rapid Response Team (RRT) deployed to Anchumaruthumoodu after locals spotted the king cobra near a stream frequented by bathers. The daring rescue, caught on camera and aired by television channels, showed the officer skillfully using a snake hook and bag to secure the cobra, which weighed nearly 20 kilograms.
The footage shows Roshni handling the reptile with calm determination, even uttering a soft “please” to coax the reluctant cobra into the bag. After a few tense moments, she managed to safely capture the venomous serpent, which was later released deep into the forest.
Forest Beat Officer Roshni of Paruthipalli Range did not flinch even after seeing this 18-foot long #KingCobra!
— Rajan Medhekar (@Rajan_Medhekar) July 7, 2025
It was was caught by her from the residential area of Anchumaruthumoot, Peppara, Thiruvananthapuram, #Kerala, after locals bathing in the stream spotted it today. pic.twitter.com/37IdVsw3mx
The officer’s action has sparked both awe and debate online. While some viewers raised concerns about lone handling of such a dangerous snake, others applauded her technique and composure.
Shashi Tharoor, UN Official Appreciate Roshini
Among those to commend her was Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who posted on X: "Amazing courage and competence on display by Forest Officer Roshni! Calling on the Kerala Govt to recognise her exemplary service appropriately. Thanks for pointing this out @Rajan_Medhekar! Such bravery in the line of duty too often is taken for granted and remains unappreciated."
Muralee Thummarukudy, Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative at the UNCCD, also weighed in, noting on Facebook that he gained even more respect for Roshni after learning it was her first king cobra rescue.
