China Floods: Around 900 Snakes, Including Cobras, Escape Breeding Farm in Guangxi (Watch Videos)

Nearly 900 snakes, including venomous cobras, escaped from a breeding farm in Hengzhou, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, after floodwaters damaged the facility during heavy rains linked to Typhoon Maysak. Local authorities have deployed rescue teams to capture the escaped reptiles, while residents in affected areas have been warned to remain cautious. Reports also indicate that some villagers suffered snakebites amid the flooding.

The flooding, triggered by continuous heavy rainfall, affected several reservoirs in Hengzhou, leading to inundation in low-lying areas. Local officials said emergency personnel have been dispatched to manage the situation, while investigations and rescue operations remain underway. Snake Breeding Bust in China: Man Jailed After High Electricity Usage Exposes Illegal 300-Python Apartment Farm.

Around 900 Snakes, Including Cobras, Escape Breeding Farm in Guangxi

After the collaps of the Liulan Reservoir (六蓝水库) dam in China, a farm dedicated for raising venomous snakes was washed out by the flood. Now poisonous snakes are everywhere. An alligator farm was also washed out pic.twitter.com/2JYrrXbg0S

— Bin Xie (@bxieus) July 8, 2026

 

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Flooding Damages Snake Farm

On Tuesday, July 7, videos and screenshots circulated on Chinese social media claiming that a snake farm in Dengwei village had been destroyed by floodwaters, resulting in the escape of hundreds of snakes. The posts also urged nearby residents to take precautions.

Other netizens commented that some trapped villagers had been bitten by snakes and were facing shortages of medical supplies and treatment, according to CCTV.com. Chinese App BAT-BMS Being Used To Shut Down ATM? Viral Video Spreads Fake Claim.

"It [the escape] happened on the morning of July 6. According to our preliminary estimate, around 800 to 900 snakes escaped after the farm was washed away by floodwaters. So far, one villager has been bitten by a snake and is receiving emergency treatment at a hospital," Wu Zhi, head of the Dengwei village committee in Yunbiao township, Hengzhou, told Red Star News on Tuesday noon. Wu said that not all of the escaped snakes were venomous, adding that a large proportion of them were non-venomous water snakes.

Floods Linked to Typhoon Maysak

Affected by Typhoon Maysak, Guangxi has experienced continuous heavy rainfall, placing several reservoirs in Hengzhou under emergency conditions. A local resident surnamed Shen from Yunbiao township told CCTV.com that snake farms are located in both low-lying areas and on hillsides across the township.

Due to breaches at the Liulan and Yunbiao reservoirs, floodwaters inundated low-lying areas, allowing snakes from several small-scale farms to escape into nearby communities. Shen said some stranded villagers had indeed been bitten by snakes but were unable to seek medical treatment immediately because they remained trapped by floodwaters, according to CCTV.com.

Rescue Operations Launched

An employee from the Hengzhou Emergency Management Bureau told the Global Times that authorities were aware of reports about the damaged snake farm and snakebite incidents and had informed frontline rescue workers. The official said rescue personnel had been dispatched to handle the situation, with further details expected in an official announcement.

Speaking to Red Star News, Wu Zhi said a civilian snake-catching team made up of residents from nearby unaffected villages had also joined the rescue efforts. "Team members mainly use fishing tools and electric fishing equipment to catch the snakes," Wu Zhi added. "Most of the snakes have already been washed away by the floods. At present, only a small number remain on floating garbage and debris on stagnant floodwaters. Most of the snakes captured at the site have been non-venomous water snakes."

Snake Farmers Assess the Situation

A local snake farmer surnamed Lei told CCTV.com that his farm, located on higher ground, had not been affected by the flooding. According to Lei, local farms mainly raise three species, cobras, king rat snakes and water snakes, with cobras being the only venomous species among them.

Lei estimated that snakes from scattered farms in low-lying areas may have escaped in significant numbers but added that many farmed snakes living in mountainous forests were unlikely to survive after prolonged submersion in floodwaters.

Safety Advisory Issued After Snake Flooding

Local authorities have urged residents not to attempt to catch snakes on their own. Wu said notices had already been issued advising villagers without professional snake-catching skills to avoid handling the reptiles.

"If residents find snakes in their homes, they should immediately report it to the village committee and have professional personnel handle the situation." Authorities have continued rescue and flood response operations across the affected areas, while monitoring the situation and assessing further risks.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2026 01:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).