Digboi: A wildlife rescue operation turned dangerous on Friday evening after snake rescuer and conservation activist Devajit Moran was bitten by a King Cobra during an intervention in Mamorani village under Digboi Police Station in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
According to reports, Moran had captured the King Cobra during a rescue operation and placed it inside a sack. The snake later escaped through a hole in the bag and bit him on the chest.
He was then taken to Tinsukia for emergency medical treatment.
Moran is known for his work in wildlife rescue and conservation, particularly in cases involving human–wildlife conflict, including human–elephant conflict in Upper Assam. He has been active in conservation awareness and rescue efforts for several years.
It has been reported that he was not taken to Digboi Civil Hospital after the incident. Observers said it would be inappropriate to attribute any delay or issue in treatment to the hospital.
The incident has also raised concerns about the availability of critical care facilities in Tinsukia district.
Critics have noted that despite repeated assurances from authorities, the district still lacks a fully equipped government hospital with advanced ICU facilities for emergency care.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tinsukia Civil Hospital received ventilator-equipped beds, but concerns remain about staffing and technical support.
After the incident, local rescuer Faruk Ali and Dr. Surajit Giri, an expert in snakebite management, coordinated with Chabua Tata Hospital in Dibrugarh district to ensure timely medical treatment for Moran.
Surajit Giri is a Consultant Anaesthesiologist in Assam and is known for his work in snakebite management and rural emergency care. He currently serves under the National Health Mission (NHM) at Demow Rural Community Health Centre in Sivasagar district.
He is also known for his work as a social activist in emergency response systems in rural areas. According to doctors, Moran is now out of danger and is recovering under medical supervision.
He is conscious, responding to treatment, and able to speak. Doctors said his condition is stable and continue to monitor him.
Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
The incident points to gaps in healthcare infrastructure in Tinsukia district and Upper Assam, including limited critical care facilities and trained emergency staff, and also reflects the risks faced by wildlife rescuers who put themselves in danger while protecting people, animals, and biodiversity.