KARACHI: Rescue teams in the metropolis safely captured a snake that entered a home in the Defence Phase 8 neighbourhood of Karachi the other day, authorities said.
According to media reports and rescue sources, Central Command and Control received a report that a snake had been sighted inside a house on Zulfiqar Street.
Rescue 1122 dispatched a team immediately to the address. On arrival, personnel located the reptile, subdued it, and evacuated all occupants from the premises to ensure their safety.
After securing the scene and confirming no injuries, rescue officials handed the captured snake over to the relevant wildlife or municipal agency for further handling and disposition.
Meanwhile, local responders circulated a detailed advisory for residents on how to respond if they find a snake inside their home.
The advisory urges people to stay calm and back away slowly, avoiding sudden movements or attempts to touch the snake. It recommends keeping a safe distance of at least six to eight feet and treating any unknown snake as potentially venomous. Households are advised to move children and pets to another room and to close doors or block gaps underneath to prevent the snake from moving into other areas.
The advisory warns against attempting to kill or catch the snake, noting that most bites occur during such attempts, and instructs residents to call professional snake rescuers or local rescue services immediately; contact numbers for Rescue 1122, Sindh Wildlife and municipal eco-services are provided on the poster.
Residents should note the snake’s location and appearance to help responders identify the species and assess venom risk, and if it is safe to do so they should isolate the room by sealing exits rather than trying to handle or remove the animal themselves.
In the event of a bite, the advisory advises immobilizing the affected limb, removing jewelry, avoiding cutting the wound or attempting to suck out venom, and transporting the victim to the nearest medical facility — the poster references JPMC and AKUH as possible treatment centres. Authorities also reiterated preventive measures, urging residents to clear overgrown bushes and untrimmed areas around homes to reduce snake hiding spots and to report sightings immediately through official emergency numbers.
