Deadly Russell’s viper spotted in Bhairahawa

 Butwal, August 14 – A highly venomous Russell’s viper was found near Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, Rupandehi.

Locals spotted the snake and called rescuers Bishal Pandey from Tilottama and Nabin Poudel from Butwal, who safely captured it and released it far from human settlements. According to Pandey, the Russell’s viper is the seventh most venomous snake in the world, with hemotoxic venom that damages blood, causes clotting problems, internal bleeding, and other serious health issues.

The snake has a distinctive pattern of large dark brown or black spots on a brown to yellow-brown background, edged with pale yellow or whitish lines. Many people mistake it for a python because of its appearance, Poudel said.

In Nepal, Russell’s vipers are mainly found in the hot, dry plains of the Tarai, especially in Bhairahawa, Kapilvastu, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, and Kanchanpur. They are also found across South and Southeast Asia. Named after British zoologist Patrick Russell, they often appear in paddy fields, grasslands, bushes, and open areas near homes—particularly in the evenings or at night—raising the risk of snakebites.

Pandey advised the public to stay alert during these times. This year alone, he and Poudel have rescued over 300 snakes, including 23 venomous cobras from a single house in Rupandehi, all safely released back into the wild.

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