Chikkamagaluru: The Agumbe Rainforest Research Centre (ARRS), has resumed its study of the King Cobra in the forests of Agumbe and surrounding areas as its previous radio telemetry study done in association with the forest department between 2008 and 2011 did not produce enough information about the world's largest venomous snake in the wild. Not satisfied with the information gathered using radio telemetry, the ARRS has begun a fresh research programme on the King Cobra to learn about its nest building, cannibalism and reasons for it, feeding patterns, home ranges, seasonal activities and so on.
“It's a three year programme, being done in Agumbe and its surrounding areas at different locations for gathering more and diverse information on the King Cobra. We have been given permission by the Union government to continue the study,” says researcher Ajay Giri of ARRS.
Under the fresh programme, which began about eight months ago, the researchers are tracking a male King Cobra using radio telemetry in Agumbe, which has the highest concentration of this species of snake in the Western Ghats. The ARRS also plans to use radio telemetry to track a female cobra in days to come.
This second phase of the research programme on King Cobras is being supported by forest officials of Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga and Udupi districts and also the people of Agumbe, Megravalli and Heggodu in Thirthahalli taluk,who have offered all cooperation to the ARRS.
