Flooding in China: More than 900 snakes crawled out of breeding farms in Guangxi; authorities race to capture them | Today’s news
Severe flooding in China’s Guangxi region has sparked an unusual public safety crisis, with hundreds of snakes escaping from flooded breeding farms and entering nearby villages and farmland, according to a report.
Authorities have launched emergency operations to capture the reptiles, including venomous cobras, while setting up temporary medical clinics to provide quick treatment to snakebite victims, Bloomberg reported, citing Chinese state media.
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The escape of the snakes from the breeding farms in Guangxi was caused by heavy floods that flooded the farms and allowed the reptiles to break free.
Authorities are concerned about escaped snakes, including venomous cobras, as they pose a serious threat to residents of nearby villages and farmland.
It is estimated that at least 900 snakes remain at large after escaping from breeding grounds during the floods.
Emergency measures include setting up temporary medical clinics to provide quick treatment to flood-affected snakebite victims.
In addition to snake farming, the floods also severely affected pig farming, jasmine plantations and timber production in Guangxi.
Hundreds of snakes on the loose
According to Bloomberg, the flood submerged several commercial snake farms in Guangxi, China’s largest snake breeding center, allowing hundreds of the reptiles to escape.
State broadcaster CCTV said emergency teams had been deployed to track and capture the snakes amid fears they could pose a serious threat to residents.
Chinese media, including the Global Times, estimated that at least 900 snakes remain at large, Bloomberg reported.
Videos circulating online showed snakes slithering through the floodwaters.
A snakebite death has been reported
A woman in Hengzhou reportedly died after being bitten by a snake during the floods.
According to local media cited by Bloomberg, her journey to the hospital was significantly delayed as floodwaters blocked roads.
In another incident, a man bitten while cleaning up his flood-damaged home also faced difficulties in accessing medical care due to submerged traffic routes.
Authorities have since set up temporary clinics to ensure faster treatment for future snakebite emergencies.
Guangxi is China’s snake breeding center
Bloomberg reported that Guangxi is China’s largest commercial snake breeding center, with approximately 30 million snakes raised for use in traditional Chinese medicine, leather products and meat.
The region has spent decades developing the industry from small backyard operations into one of the world’s largest snake breeding centers, supplying the pharmaceutical, biotech and consumer markets.
According to Guangxi Daily, cited by Bloomberg, the industry has transformed local economies and created hundreds of businesses involved in breeding, processing, research and related supply chains.
Floods wreak havoc behind snake farms
The floods also devastated other industries in Guangxi.
According to the report, pig farms were flooded, forcing some animals to swim to safety, while jasmine plantations and timber production suffered extensive damage.
Even the animals in the zoo will run away
Floodwaters also damaged a zoo in the city of Guigang, allowing more than 100 animals to escape, Bloomberg reported.
The zoo issued an emergency appeal asking residents to help find the missing animals, including two zebras, two ostriches and 30 peacocks.
The escaped zoo animals, along with hundreds of wild snakes, have added to the challenges facing authorities as Guangxi continues efforts to rebuild after deadly floods.
