Snakes take over hospital

[NicoleRussell]

February 15 2006 at 09:47AM

New Delhi - Cobras and other fierce snakes have taken over a hospital in
India's northern Uttar Pradesh state, scaring away doctors and medical
staff, a news report said on Wednesday.

Officials from the state health department who carried out an inspection at
the Community Health Centre in eastern Siddharthnagar district were shocked
to find cobras and other deadly snakes in the deserted out-patient
department and operation theatre instead of staff.

The officials, who were on a "fact-finding mission," found that hardly any
patients visited the hospital because it is located at a remote place, the
Hindustan Times reported.

A senior health official, B Nath, said since there is no transport
available, people from the nearest town, Baunsi, need to trek miles to reach
the hospital.

'The facility resembles a haunted place with grass and wild bushes'
Doctors and paramedical staff do not stay at the hospital after sundown and
the facility resembles a haunted place with grass and wild bushes growing
everywhere, making it an ideal habitation for snakes, the paper said. -
Sapa-dpa

[VoodooChile]

So I wonder what they will end up doing to get them out? Hopefully they wont destroy them all. However that is usually what happens when animals find their way into what is considered as "man's territory".

[lisagordier]

Seems a strange word to use in New Deli, India. One of the cobra capitals of the world. And in the state the described of the abandoned area of the hospital I'd think they'd expect it.

I mean, really, cobras move into the main street homes and they were surprised the cobras took over an abandoned area of a hospital in the middle of a jungle area?

Ok, maybe I'm being a little harsh. But I do know that they'll probably go in and do a catch and release if they decide to actually use the whole hospital again.

[VoodooChile]

Originally Posted by lisagordier

. I mean, really, cobras move into the main street homes and they were surprised the cobras took over an abandoned area of a hospital in the middle of a jungle area?
But I do know that they'll probably go in and do a catch and release if they decide to actually use the whole hospital again.

Yes, I agree...even in the middle of suburbia wild animals find their way into people's homes...raccoons thru doggie doors...squirrels, possums, bats, etc...why should a cobra be any different? Just because it is venomous, it is a big fiasco. They should just leave 'em alone if they aren't going to use the hospital...They are happy there..I hope if they do remove them, it is catch and release..We'd probably have some volunteers on this site.. LOL

However, I'm still afraid that if their government is anything like ours; "catch & release" will not be cost effective, too time consuming, and they will decide to just eradicate the population of "intruders" to benefit man.

Sorry if that sounded really negative, I'm having a "hissy" day. LOL

[lisagordier]

Actually they have at least three people that they call regularly for catch & release problems like just like this in the New Deli city area. Many poeple in the farming community actually live in harmony with the cobras because the cobras keep the rodent populatin in check and the people know this.

This is the main difference between the Americans and the "Asians". Depending on how many cobras have moved into the area will depend on the action taken. And from what it sounds like (because it's such a remote place anyway) they may decide not to use the hospital.