Venomous cobra on the loose strikes fear in northwest Raleigh; police searching home
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Snake scare in Raleigh, and the aftermath
In the summer of 2021, a venomous zebra cobra was on the loose in a North Raleigh neighborhood, an incident that captured the region’s attention. The incident prompted the city of Raleigh to enact a new exotic animal ordinance. Here is coverage from The News & Observer.
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Updated: The venomous zebra cobra has been caught. For more on its capture, see this story.
Neighbors in a shady cul-de-sac in northwest Raleigh were on the lookout for a venomous zebra cobra on the loose Tuesday, while police and animal control officers arrived at a nearby house.
After the escaped snake was spotted earlier on Sandringham Drive, Raleigh police and animal control officers went to a home on Chaminox Place Tuesday afternoon.
The home is owned by Keith and Rebecca Gifford.
Both Keith Gifford and his son, Christopher Gifford, who is listed in public records as also residing at the home, have social media accounts featuring photos of snakes.
Christopher’s Instagram account shows him with a spitting zebra cobra like the one on the loose. He also has numerous videos on a TikTok account that show him handling venomous snakes from Africa that appear to be kept in a basement. In one video, since taken down, he showed off a large female zebra cobra.
Around 4 p.m. Tuesday, an animal control officer exited the home with a red bucket and drove away with the bucket on her lap.
Earlier in the day, on Sandringham Drive, Raleigh police blocked the street while neighbors for blocks in each direction kept their eyes on the ground and their dogs indoors.
“If we’re outside,” said Felipe Polo-Wood, “we’re in the middle of the street.”
The Raleigh Police Department issued an advisory about the venomous snake early Tuesday.
The snake, which is native to dry and desert areas, will bite or spit if cornered. Police warned anyone who spots the snake to stay away from it and call 911.
The snake was seen about 5 p.m. Monday in the 7000 block of Sandringham Drive. It was spotted on a house’s porch.
Officers pointed out the house on Sandringham with a large chimney as the snake’s last whereabouts, then roped off the parking lot of a tennis court next door.
Cobras are nocturnal snakes
Bryan Stuart, research curator of herpetology for the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, said the cobra is nocturnal and unlikely to travel far.
“My guess is probably that the cobra is going to find some shelter and hang out there, start to look for food,” he said.
Stuart said he has gone after a different species of spitting cobra in its native South Asia. He said a capturer in Raleigh would likely use snake tongs and a face mask.
The cobra is almost certainly someone’s pet, Stuart said.
‘Not supposed to be here’
Even though Raleigh ranks among the top habitats for copperheads, also venomous, residents saw no purpose for a cobra among them.
“Well, it’s a big snake,” said Joan Nelson. “It’s a scary snake. We’re used to copperheads, and we know what to look for. It’s just not supposed to be here.”
Her cousin Nate, 7, took a different view.
“I want to see it,” he said. “I’m not scared. I’ve seen over 13 kinds of snakes.”
It is legal to own venomous snakes in North Carolina, but they are supposed to be kept in locked, escape-proof enclosures.
The spitting cobra dominated conversation on the streets off Lynn Road.
“People are cautious,” said Deirdre O’Malley. “They’re not letting their kids out. They’re not letting their dogs out.”
This story was originally published June 29, 2021 at 7:39 AM with the headline "Venomous cobra on the loose strikes fear in northwest Raleigh; police searching home."
