Venomous Common Krait Found on Mosquito Net in Rajshahi University Residential Hall

PNN News Desk, Rajshahi

A venomous common krait was rescued from on top of a mosquito net inside a residential room at Shahid Shamsuzzoha Hall of Rajshahi University (RU).

The presence of the snake was detected by a student in Room No. 121 of the hall late Friday night (September 4). The university’s snake rescue team, ‘Swan’, was subsequently informed, and members of the team arrived and rescued the snake.

According to information available, at around 2:30am, Pharmacy Department student Rabbi Reza woke up and saw a snake on top of his mosquito net. He immediately informed his roommates about the matter.

The students subsequently contacted members of the university’s snake rescue organisation, ‘Swan’. After receiving the information, members of the rescue team went to the hall and captured the snake.

Members of the rescue team identified the snake as a venomous common krait.

Following the incident, panic spread among the students living in the room as well as other residents of the hall. Students said snakes had been spotted several times previously around the hall. As a result, they are becoming increasingly concerned about staying inside their rooms at night.

Residential student Shakil Ahmed said it was extremely frightening to wake up at night and find a venomous snake on top of a mosquito net. He said members of ‘Swan’ arrived and rescued the snake after they were informed.

Expressing frustration over the condition and security of the hall environment, he said the areas surrounding the hall had remained dirty and overgrown with vegetation for a long time.

He alleged that the hall administration had been informed about the issue several times, but no expected solution had been provided.

According to him, snakes are spotted in the surrounding area every few days, forcing students to remain constantly alert.

He demanded that effective measures be taken quickly, giving priority to the safety of the students.

He questioned who would take responsibility if a student were seriously injured or lost their life after being bitten by a snake at night.

Regarding the matter, Dr Md Al-Amin Sarker, provost of Shahid Shamsuzzoha Hall, said a student woke up and found a snake on top of his mosquito net.

After the student informed his roommates, the university’s rescue team was contacted. The team quickly went to the scene and rescued the snake.

He said carbolic acid had previously been used around the hall to reduce the presence of snakes. At the same time, initiatives had also been taken to clean the areas surrounding the hall.

He added that the rear section of the hall had recently been cleaned as part of an initiative by the administration.

The provost believes that the snake may have entered the building through the rear side of the hall.

He also said that, to prevent such incidents in the future, the authorities would install improved-quality nets along the rear section of the hall and take steps to clean the drains again.

However, residential students have demanded that these measures be implemented quickly to ensure their safety.