Wildlife management stories

Jul 9, 2026

Flooding in Southern China drives hundreds of snakes from breeding farms into communities

Torrential rains and severe flooding in China's Guangxi region, including the city of Hengzhou, have caused hundreds of snakes—including cobras—to escape from inundated breeding farms into surrounding villages and residential areas, creating a secondary hazard for approximately one million residents.

Jul 9, 2026·4 sources

Jun 8, 2026

Bear captured in Utsunomiya, Japan after unprecedented sighting forces closure of 94 schools

A bear that wandered into Utsunomiya, a city of 500,000 people north of Tokyo, was captured Tuesday after its first-ever sighting in the municipality prompted officials to close all 94 primary and secondary schools for several days. The incident reflects a broader rise in bear encounters across Japan.

Jun 8, 2026·7 sources

Top claims

▪Around 900 snakes, including venomous cobras and non-venomous common rat snakes, escaped into the floodwaters of Hengzhou.
▪Three lions drowned at the Guigang Zoo as staff worked to lock down predator cages to prevent them from escaping during the flood.
▪One woman died in Hengzhou after being bitten by an escaped snake, and several other residents have received medical treatment for snakebites.

Subtopics

Extreme weather impacts Public safety Natural disasters School closures Human-wildlife conflict

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Wildlife management stories

Flooding in Southern China drives hundreds of snakes from breeding farms into communities

Bear captured in Utsunomiya, Japan after unprecedented sighting forces closure of 94 schools

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