A rare pale pink monocled cobra, measuring around one foot in length, has been rescued from a factory in Dhaka’s Demra.

Wildlife rescuers and a venom researcher said the snake may have albinism, a genetic condition that affects pigmentation.

Factory workers initially spotted and killed two snakes before finding a third with an unusually pale pink colour on 29 October. One of the workers later contacted the Wildlife and Snake Rescue Team in Bangladesh (WSRTBD).

Wildlife rescuer Saif Roudra told The Business Standard that he went to the factory after receiving the call and rescued the snake, which is now in his custody.

The juvenile snake is a monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia), locally known as padma go-khra. Its pale pink colour differs significantly from the typical appearance of the species.

Roudra believes the snake may have albinism, a genetic condition that reduces or prevents the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for normal animal colouration.

Mohammad Noman, an associate researcher at the Venom Research Centre of Chattogram Medical College, also told TBS that the snake’s unusual colouration could be caused by albinism.

He said the trait is relatively rare among snakes, but the colour difference alone does not indicate that the snake belongs to a new species. Further observation and testing, if necessary, would be needed to establish its characteristics.

Based on its length of around one foot, Noman said the snake was likely young and may have hatched in September or October. However, its exact age could not be determined from its length alone.

He also noted signs of incomplete shedding. Healthy snakes generally shed their skin completely, but physical weakness or environmental factors can disrupt the process.

Photographs alone, however, were insufficient to determine the exact cause, he said.

Noman said bringing the snake to the Venom Research Centre would allow researchers to observe and analyse its unusual characteristics.

Roudra said he was in contact with the relevant authorities about transferring the snake to the research centre. The centre had expressed interest in taking it in, he added.

Keeping the snake at the centre would ensure proper care while allowing researchers to study its unusual characteristics, he said.

Roudra has long been involved in wildlife rescue and conservation. As WSRTBD’s Noakhali representative, he has taken part in rescuing snakes and other wildlife and raising public awareness.

Although he later moved to Dhaka for his studies, he has continued his conservation, snake rescue and awareness activities.

He is currently a student in the Architecture Department of Dhaka Government Polytechnic Institute. Roudra said he had rescued more than 100 snakes so far.