HENGZHOU — Flooding in Hengzhou, following the passage of Typhoon Maysak through the Guangxi region on July 8, 2026, has resulted in 39 deaths and the escape of approximately 900 snakes, many of which are venomous, from a flooded reptile farm. A woman died after being bitten by a snake, possibly a cobra, suspected to have escaped from the farm.

Chinese state media reported further snakebites among other people. Authorities are issuing warnings to villagers to avoid snakes, mobilizing snake hunters, and increasing antivenom reserves. Hospital staff are being prepared for a potential increase in snakebite cases. According to local hospitals, there are sufficient stocks of antivenom to manage the situation if victims receive timely treatment.

A villager stated that assistance for the woman who died from a snakebite could not be secured in time due to roads being cut off by floodwaters. "Pedimos ayuda, pero ya era demasiado tarde," the villager said. Mr. Zhu, a member of a civilian snake capture team in Hengzhou, stated they worked for two days and captured between 2,000 and 3,000 snakes. "Capturamos a dos o tres mil en dos días. Básicamente, los hemos eliminado a todos," he said. Captured snakes are transferred to professionals for release into the wild.

The local government issued guidelines for residents on Wednesday, suggesting they avoid outdoor nighttime activities and stay away from lawns and ponds. Separately, a flooded zoo in the region saw the escape of two zebras, one humpbacked ox, three miniature horses, and two donkeys. The private Guigang Zoo issued an emergency notice on Wednesday night, warning that some escaped animals, including ostriches, emus, and raccoons, could become aggressive if startled. The zoo requested public assistance in reporting sightings of these animals, while three lions at the Guigang Zoo reportedly drowned.

Yin Feifei, the owner of the Guigang Zoo, said staff protected predator cages as water levels rose. "No podíamos permitir que los depredadores escaparan durante la inundación y crearan un riesgo adicional para la seguridad pública," Yin stated. Additionally, more than 16,000 pigs were swept away by the flood, with heavy machinery deployed to rescue some from the water.

Why It Matters

The flooding in Hengzhou, a city known as the "jasmine capital" of China where jasmine has been cultivated for tea for 500 years, has created a public safety concern beyond the immediate flood impact. The escape of hundreds of snakes, including venomous species such as cobras, from a reptile farm poses a direct threat to residents, as evidenced by a fatal snakebite and other reported incidents. The region has a snake breeding industry, primarily for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, with Guangxi reported to have nearly 20 million snakes across more than 14,000 breeding farms in 2020. This industry contributes to the concentration of snakes in the area, necessitating a coordinated public response involving authorities, snake hunters, and medical preparedness to manage the increased risk to human life.

The incidents also present challenges for animal welfare during natural disasters, with escaped zoo animals and livestock losses noted during the typhoon. The flood's impact on infrastructure, such as impassable roads, compounded the difficulties in providing emergency assistance. Guidelines issued by the local government reflect the persistent nature of the threat from escaped animals, particularly the snakes, as recovery efforts continue.