In a breathtaking video out of Kerala, Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni — part of the state’s Rapid Response Team — demonstrates extraordinary calm and skill as she gently guides a towering 16‑foot king cobra into containment. Shared by 1989‑batch, Odisha‑cadre retired IFS officer Susanta Nanda, the clip is a powerful snapshot of frontline conservation in action.
The footage, shared by Susanta Nanda, was captioned:
“My salutations to the green queens & the bravery shown by them in wild… This was the 1st time she was tackling a king cobra, though she is credited to have rescued more than 800 snakes.”
My salutations to the green queens & the bravery shown by them in wild🙏
— Susanta Nanda IFS (Retd) (@susantananda3) July 7, 2025
Beat FO G S Roshni, part of Rapid Response Team of Kerala FD rescuing a 16 feet king cobra.This was the 1st time she was tackling a king cobra though she is credited to have rescued more than 800 snakes… pic.twitter.com/E0a8JGqO4c
A First King Cobra Rescue—And a Viral One
Despite it being her first direct encounter with a king cobra, Roshni executed the rescue with the confidence of a seasoned handler. She used a standard snake hook and canvas bag, never losing her grip or cool throughout the 6-minute process.
This swift intervention helped safely relocate the snake far from the populated area, averting both public panic and harm to the reptile.
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Netizens React: “True Courage”—But Questions Raised
Social media lit up with reactions after the video dropped—ranging from admiration to concern.
Praise flooded in:
“Brave, skilled and calm under pressure. Salute to FO Roshni and the entire Rapid Response Team!”
Brave, skilled and calm under pressure.
— Pawan (@Pawan71115) July 7, 2025
Salute to FO Roshni and the entire Rapid Response Team! 🙏
“Queen handling king such an inspiration she is. Fulfilling her duties no matter what.”
Queen handling king 🔥🔥 such an inspiration she is. Fulfilling her duties no matter what. 👏👏
— Ankur | Powerful Options Trader (@powerfulankur) July 7, 2025
But the comment section wasn’t all applause.
Some raised valid safety concerns:
“Salutations are due to the brave and skilled Forest Officer. But begs the question. In this day and age these bare armed officers are armed with just a stick and a bag to tackle dangerous snakes? Can’t they be given better tools and personal safety equipment @ForestKerala?”
Salutations are due to the brave and skilled Forest Officer.
— Alok Agrawal 🇮🇳 (@anewalok) July 7, 2025
But begs the question. In this day and age these bare armed officers are armed with just a stick and a bag to tackle dangerous snakes? Can’t they be given better tools and personal safety equipment @ForestKerala?
“Don’t u think she needs more gear and gloves, when she tackling such long king cobra species. One normal stick , with small bag , not even snake stick …One bite they will be dead before they reach hospital for anti venom”
Don't u think she needs more gear and gloves, when she tackling such long king cobra species
— 𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘢 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘺 🎀 (@vibeofswetha) July 7, 2025
One normal stick , with small bag , not even snake stick …One bite they will be dead before they reach hospital for anti venom
A few even suggested that the department should invest more in modern capture tools and protective suits for officers, especially for such high-risk rescues.
Where Courage Meets the Wild—and a Camera
In a field that rarely gets public recognition, Roshni’s rescue was more than just a viral clip. It symbolized the growing visibility of women in frontline conservation roles—and the risks they shoulder daily.
Whether you saw it as pure heroism or calculated recklessness, one thing is clear: Roshni didn’t flinch. And the cobra lived to slither another day.
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