Raleigh Cobra Coverage

Raleigh zebra cobra owner nearly lost his life to green mamba bite months after losing his cobra

The owner of an escaped exotic zebra cobra that was loose in Raleigh last summer was bitten by a deadly green mamba months after letting his cobra escape.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

'This is an apology:' Raleigh zebra cobra owner admits his mistake, tells his side of the story

The owner of a deadly zebra cobra that escaped in a north Raleigh neighborhood last summer is speaking out for the first time since he was hit with more than 40 misdemeanor charges.

Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

Owner of Raleigh's zebra cobra explains why he waited months to report the deadly snake as missing

The owner of Raleigh's infamous zebra cobra explains how it escaped and why he waited months to tell anyone.

Full interview: Raleigh zebra cobra owner speaks out for the first time

Chris Gifford, a former snake handler who was charged after letting a rare African zebra cobra escape in a north Raleigh neighborhood, speaks publicly for the first time. His message? I'm sorry.

Dangerous wild animal ban takes effect on Sept. 3

The ban for new owners to acquire a dangerous or wild animal as a pet goes into effect on Sept. 3. Current owners of the animals subject to the ban will be allowed to keep them.

Raleigh leaders vote to ban wild animals as pets

The ban for new owners to acquire a dangerous or wild animal as a pet goes into effect on Sept. 3. Current owners of the animals subject to the ban will be allowed to keep them.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Two years ago a deadly and terrifying Zebra Cobra got loose in Raleigh

Two years ago, an African zebra cobra on the loose put a northwest Raleigh, North Carolina neighborhood on edge. The deadly and venomous snake prompted days of panic.

Ryan Bisesi, WRAL multiplatform producer

Raleigh leaders move forward with plan to ban wild animals as pets

Almost a year after a venomous zebra cobra escaped in a North Raleigh neighborhood, making national headlines, city council met on Tuesday to discuss a ban on dangerous and wild animals inside city limits.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Top videos of 2021: Raleigh Zebra Cobra, severe weather, school shootings

The bizarre story of a rare and venomous snake that escaped from a Raleigh man's home in July was one of the most read watched videos on WRAL.com this year. Among the top 5 were videos focusing on the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season, flooding in Haywood County and WRAL's coverage of school shootings across North Carolina.

Raleigh council considers ban, registration requirement for wild animals kept as pets

Raleigh is determining the next steps in defining how and whether residents can own dangerous animals as pets within the city.

Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter, and Ryan Bisesi, WRAL multiplatform producer

Owner of zebra cobra pleads guilty to not reporting its escape, turns over $35,000 worth of snakes

The man whose venomous zebra cobra was spotted on the loose earlier this year pleaded guilty Friday to violating state regulations related to owning a venomous reptile.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Owning monkeys, snakes, squirrels and other wild animals could be prohibited under proposed Raleigh ordinance

Raleigh City Councilors are reviewing a first draft of a proposed ordinance to ban wild and exotic animals as household pets.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Ordinance aims to remove wild, exotic animals from Raleigh homes

The ordinance is in response to a venomous zebra cobra that escaped from a home in north Raleigh.

NC Senate leader: No on zebra cobra bill

The Senate's top Republican says he doesn't want to wade in on new animal regulations.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Search and removal for bear, venomous snake cost Raleigh PD $10,000

The Raleigh Police Department spent more than $10,000 in personnel costs, gas and supplies to resolve two recent wildlife situations in the city.

Lora Lavinge and Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporters

Raleigh considers banning ownership of venomous snakes, other exotic animals

Right now, North Carolina is one of only six states that doesn't ban private ownership of venomous snakes or require a permit to have them.

Lora Lavinge, WRAL Durham reporter

Lawmakers draft bill to crack down on venomous reptile ownership after 75 snakes seized from Raleigh home

Seventy-five snakes, some venomous, were seized from a home in Raleigh connected to a missing cobra, according to officials.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Zebra cobra had been loose for more than 7 months, authorities say

A week after animal control authorities captured a venomous snake that was loose in a north Raleigh neighborhood, dozens of charges were lodged Wednesday against the snake's owner.

Zebra cobra's owner faces charges following deadly snake's months-long escape

A week after animal control authorities captured a venomous snake that was loose in a north Raleigh neighborhood, dozens of charges were lodged Wednesday against the snake's owner.

Keely Arthur and Rosalia Fodera, WRAL reporters

Raleigh councilman blasts owner of venomous snake

Raleigh City Councilman David Knight calls for a local ordinance banning ownership of venomous snakes, saying it was "irresponsible, reckless and dangerous behavior" by a resident to allow a deadly zebra cobra to escape last week.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Venom goes viral

Friday, July 2, 2021 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

'Unfathomably irresponsible': Reptile experts slam TikTok-famous Raleigh snake owner

The TikTok famous snake owner whose deadly zebra cobra escaped is facing criticism from the reptile community.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter, Heather Leah & Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producer

Experts bash zebra cobra owner for not following protocol

Venomous reptile experts are criticizing Christopher Gifford, who posted dangerous videos of snakes on his TikTok account.

Glue trap seals days-long search for venomous zebra cobra in north Raleigh

After hours of consultation and preparation by law enforcement and animal control officers, it was a glue trap that ultimately snared a venomous zebra cobra on a north Raleigh porch Wednesday night, ending a nearly 48-hour saga that garnered attention from across North Carolina.

Kasey Cunningham, Joe Fisher & Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporters; Heather Leah & Maggie Brown, multiplatform producers

The hunt is over: Animal control nabs venomous zebra cobra in north Raleigh neighborhood

No word yet on whether the snake's owner will face charges.