Cobra sightings have been on the rise in Egypt’s residential areas, sparking panic amongst citizens.
The Head of the Central Administration for Nature Reserves at the Ministry of Environment, Mohamed Youssef, explained that research has determined that the appearance of dangerous animals in populated areas is typically the result of factors such as environment changes displacing them.
During a phone-in with the program “Hadith al-Qahira” (Cairo Talk), Youssef added that the emergence of animals in areas inhabited by humans requires an examination of the specific circumstances surrounding each case, and that one should not rush to conclusions regarding the reasons for their presence.
Cobras are highly sensitive to the temperature of their surrounding environment; they may move about in search of warmth, food, or shelter, he noted.
Changes in environmental conditions can drive these animals to leave their usual habitats.
Instead, they should promptly notify the relevant authorities, such as the Civil Defense, emergency services, or the governorate’s operations center.
