A rare albino cobra hatchling was rescued in south India on October 7 after being discovered in a drain.

The snake rescuer, V Selvam, also known as Chellaa, was called after reports of the white-skinned cobra came from Velisemmandalam in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.

After retrieving the snake, Chellaa identified it as a hatchling only a few days old, and was likely separated from its nest and dropped in the drain.

It was eventually decided that the hatchling would be released into the nearby forest.

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Rare albino cobra hatchling rescued in Tamil Nadu
Bosco Dominique / TNN / Oct 7, 2021, 20:35 IST

A rescued albino cobra
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CUDDALORE: A rare albino cobra (popularly known as white cobra) hatchling was rescued by animal lover and snake rescuer V Selvam alias Chellaa from a drain in Cuddalore town on Wednesday.

Chellaa received a distress call from Ravi, working in a private firm, complaining that a 'pink-coloured snake hatchling was found in a drain near his house at Velisemmandalam in the town.
Chellaa rushed to the spot and rescued the snake hatchling. When he cleaned the rescued animal, he realised that the reptile is an albino cobra hatchling, which may not be more than five days old.
"Cobra lays many eggs at a time. Any bird might have grabbed one of the hatchlings and might have accidentally dropped in the drain while flying as I could not find any more hatchlings in the drain. The hatchling is less than 20cm long and might be around 5days old said chellaa

This is not the first time Chellaa rescued albino cobras in the district. He said he had rescued an adult albino cobra and seven hatchlings including the one rescued on Wednesday on four occasions in the last three years in the district.
"Last year I rescued five albino cobra hatchlings from a factory in Sipcot industrial estate. Two years ago, I rescued an adult albino cobra measuring four-foot and a hatchling before from a house," Chellaa said. He decided to release the hatchling into the forest region.

Chellaa holding the albino cobra
Deputy conservator of forests in Puducherry Vanjulavalli Sridhar said albino cobras are found rarely.
"Albino cobras are rare. It is rarer to spot an albino adult cobra.