One glue trap ends days of searching for venomous zebra cobras in north Raleigh.

As a result of hours of consultation between law enforcement and animal control officers,in the end a glue trap captured a venomous zebra cobra on a north Raleigh porch,capping a 48-hour case involving North Carolina media.

The glue was removed from the cobra's body after being guided into a red bucket and brought to a safe location.

WRAL's cameras caught the snake the previous day crawling onto the porch of a house on Sandringham Drive. A hood was visible wherever it turned its head.

Camera crews had to be redirected after Animal Control officers confirmed it was a snake before moving in to try to capture it.

This same residence had called 911 early Tuesday, sparking the search.

NEWS LOCAL
Researchers attempt to trap a venomous zebra cobra in north Raleigh but locate a glue trap instead
Cobras, venomous snakes
On July 1, 2021, at 7:21 a.m. EDT
10:00 a.m.brisbane north snake catcher EDT, Wednesday, July 13 2021


Kasey Cunningham, Joe Fisher, and Matt Talhelm of WRAL; Heather Leah & Maggie Brown of multiplatform producers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. Following hours of consultation and preparation by Raleigh police and animal control officers,a venomous zebra cobra was caught with a glue trap on a Raleigh porch Wednesday night,capping an unusual 48-hour saga that garnered national attention.

As the glue was slowly removed from the cobra's body, it was placed into a red bucket and taken to a safe location.

A striped snake was spotted earlier in the day crawling out of the siding of a house on Sandringham Drive, onto the front porch of a house. A hood was visible wherever it turned its head.

When Animal Control officers confirmed the snake was the one they moved camera crews back before they attempted to catch it.

Searches were launched early Tuesday after the same home made a 911 call.

#RaleighCobra - T-shirts, memes and Twitter accounts inspired by roaming venomous snakes roaming through Raleigh
Joan Nelson said she was relieved that the ordeal was over.

My feeling of security has improved, she said. My deck and I have become more comfortable outside now. It's very sad for the snake, though.

Striped snake lying out on a porch on a north Raleigh street where a zebra cobra is missing.

Even a morning dog walk can prove dangerous for this snake, a zebra cobra that can spit up to nine feet. Apparently, African Snakebite Institute believes the snake is very dangerous. As a result of the venom, a victim's nervous system could shut down.

Those stung by the poison would experience severe pain, swelling, rashes, nausea, and diarrhea as a result. A high fever and breathing difficulties would follow, which could lead to respiratory failure.

Veterinary specialist Salina Locke treats all kinds of pets at Avian and Exotic Animal Care in Nashville, Tennessee.

The species of cobras that are found in this area do not bite. Venom is more likely to be sprayed by them, she said; they are very accurate and aim straight for the eyes.

A pet of this snake is not recommended because of the risks, according to Locke.

People tend to get bitten most often when they're sleeping. Health problems can linger for years for people who are bit, according to research.

In the late afternoon on Tuesday, police searched 6917 Chamonix Place, near the place where the snake was last spotted.

There were four visits by police to that house in March in connection with an animal issue. Following the zebra cobra's spotting on a porch a half mile away, they returned on Monday and Tuesday.

The county records indicate that Keith and Rebecca Gifford live at this address. There is a Facebook account for Keith Gifford that shows several photos of snakes that he claims are owned by his son, Christopher.

Christopher Gifford has more than 460000 followers on TikTok. His post claims he has a zebra cobra that is 7 feet long.