Posted on 03/31/2011 3:34:38 PM PDT by EinNYC
Snakes alive! - the cobra has been found.
The Bronx Zoo's escaped snake was snared in the House of Reptiles on Thursday, six days after she slithered out of her enclosure.
"We found our snake and we're very happy," Jim Breheny, the zoo's director, told the Daily News.
The fanged fugitive was spotted coiled in a corner around 9 a.m., during one of three daily sweeps by a half-dozen zoo workers.
Using special tongs and hooks, they easily apprehended the deadly Egyptian cobra, which is now under observation.
"We knew it was going to be a game of patience. We set the place up to make it easier to search," Breheny said.
Contrary to one report, the zoo did not set any traps with mice for the snake. It simply kept the Reptile House dark and quiet.
"We wanted to just let her feel comfortable," he said. "We did everything we could to help her feel secure."
The snake escaped from a fiberglass box with a sliding glass front while no one was around.
"Clearly she finagled her way out of the enclosure," Breheny said of the cold-blooded Houdini.
Zoo officials are now reviewing the safety of the enclosures and plan to reopen the Reptile House soon.
The cobra will eventually go on exhibit - which should be a big draw, given its notoriety.
The hunt for the missing adolescent made headlines across the globe and prompted either anxiety or amusement from New Yorkers.
An anonymous wit even created a Twitter feed chronicling the reptile's made-up misadventures - and picked up nearly 200,000 followers, from Mayor Bloomberg to Ellen DeGeneres.
All along, zoo officials said they were confident the pencil-thin 20-inch-long reptile was still somewhere in the House of Reptiles, not roaming the city.
It doesn't matter whether they are important or not, or whether or not you consider them to be of value or a detriment. That is the beauty of a free society. Zoos, wildlife parks, museums, and other institutions are available for those who want to visit them, and in the free marketplace those who want to frequent and support them can and those who don't are free to stay away. I hate tattoo parlors and cigar bars, but others think they are great. Now maybe a cigar-smoking tattoo enthusiast will flame me for hating his or her favorite haunt, or maybe not. Who cares! It's still a (mostly) free country.
I’m a pretty conservative guy and I can tell that you didn’t take my advice.
I would like to see larger animals such as lions and tigers set free in larger habitats...may I suggest Massachusetts?
and the award for the best coverage of the missing snake story goes to CNN, hands-down, whose reporter conducted a little snakecharming with a red recorder outside the reptile house at the zoo.
I was thinking of re-introducing Grizzly bears and wolves in California. Starting with San Francisco.
...another outstanding concept! Who says conservatives are hostile to environmental issues?
Me, too. I do not like zoos; nor do I like the circus. The animals in them are not happy; sometimes developing crazy reptitive behaviors to deal with the frustrations associated with being held in such small confines. The elephants in circuses have it hard, too. They’d be happier in their original habitats. . . and clowns, don’t get me started. I’m glad they have jobs, but are just weird. And I say that willingly of my own accord and I’m a clown myself; Twinkie the Clown.
I hate oatmeal. It’s fine in cookies, but put it in a bowl with after soaking it in boiling water - yuck. I don’t care how much sweet stuff you put in it. It’s still yuck. You’d be surprised how many people want to argue with me about my hate for oatmeal.
So,I support you in our hate for zoos. Circus’s - had to think about that one. They do have clowns. A lot of people hate clowns, so, OK.
By the way, I’m not a recovering ex-hippie, but people think my husband and I look like hippies. I’m the music director at a cowboy church. I look nothing like a cowgirl (cow-person?). BUT I sing like one, so no one cares that I look like a hippie.
AMEN!!
Yeah, but how come Obama is still on the loose?
It took six days to find her. How come you can never get a mongoose when you need one?
>> I hate zoos. I hate the circus too.
My guess is, you’re not a big fan of Congress, then.
That should teach that smart alecky snake to get on Twitter.
Of course, there is the occasional newsworthy animal lover who solves that problem by climbing the fence.....
Of course, there is the occasional newsworthy animal lover who solves that problem by climbing the fence.....
Found on the lam? I would have looked there first!!!!
Your ability to articulate just is more amazing with each post.
I appreciate your information on both zoos and circuses.
I would agree with you on the zoos, if they are well maintained, etc.
I do not like circuses because they “train’ the animals to do unnatural tricks and their training methods are not very humane. But because of your post I will research that some more.
thanks.
Articulate post...well written. Thanks
If the zoos are good for the animals, then not much of a problem...i like to see animals NOT caged...and soem zoos do that now, have them roam freer.
Circuses usually are not, but I will research more after reading another post.
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