Poultry workers spotted a cobra slithering into their chicken coop in eastern India on October 11, sending them into a panic about the deadly snake eating their birds.

The alarmed workers tried to chase away the five-foot-long spectacled cobra, but the snake disappeared near a spot where chicken feed sacks were kept.

Sanjay Palei, the terrified poultry owner, called Snake Helpline, which sent a volunteer to help retrieve the cobra.

The volunteer, Susant Behera, removed the sacks slowly with help of farm workers and gently captured the cobra. The snake put in a bag and later released far away in a suitable habitat.

Subhendu Mallik, founder of Snake Helpline, said: "Wild and free-living chicken can fight off cobras, but farm birds lack any fighting instinct. Cobras can't eat a big hen but can kill some with venom. We are happy we could rescue the snake before any damage was done."

Poultry workers spotted a cobra slithering into their chicken coop near Bhubaneswar in eastern India on Ocober 11.

Alarmed that the five-feet-long spectacled cobra would feast on their birds they tried to chase it away. But the snake disappeared near a spot where chicken feed sacks were kept.

Sanjay Palei, the terrified poultry owner, called Snake Helpline, which sent a volunteer, Susant Behera, to the spot. Susant removed the sacks slowly with help of farm workers and gently captured the cobra . The snake put in a bag and later released far away in a suitable habitat.

Subhendu Mallik, founder of Snake Helpline, said: "Wild and free-living chicken can fight off cobras, but farm birds lack any fighting instinct. Cobras can't eat a big hen but can kill some with venom. We are happy we could rescue the snake before any damage was done."