Charges for Discovery Channel Star Whose Cobra Slithered Away

When Michael Kennedy’s 8-foot male king cobra slithered away from the Discovery Channel star’s Orlando area home last week, it kicked off a search for the potentially deadly creature that remains active.

That search, however, didn’t begin as quickly as it should have, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Kennedy, the agency contends, failed to report the snake’s disappearance for a full day. Now, Kennedy faces a misdemeanor charge with a $366 fine attached. He also has an Oct. 7 court date set for allegedly receiving the snake from an unlicensed entity, according to Orange County Court records.

Kennedy, the star of “Airplane Repo” reported the venomous king cobra missing on Wednesday of last week. When he called wildlife officials, he said he made the discovery last Tuesday, Sept. 1, after returning home from a two-day trip, a copy of the citation for failing to report states.

News the snake was out of its enclosure and likely on Kennedy’s Apopka Vineland Road property sparked an extensive hunt for the creature. Local officials canceled outdoor activities at a nearby school and wildlife officers spent the better part of last week beating the bushes in hopes of finding the venomous king cobra. On Friday, they built traps to place around the property that contain dead snakes as bait to lure in the cobra.

As of Tuesday morning, the search for the snake remained active but its intensity had waned somewhat. Rather than send a multitude of officers into the area daily, FWC is now simply checking on the traps regularly, several media outlets have reported.

Dead snakes are being used in the traps since they happen to be the staple in the missing creature’s diet.

King cobras are not native to Florida. Considered among the most venomous snakes on the planet, the creatures can reach up to 18 feet in length, according to National Geographic. While their venom isn’t considered the most potent, “the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite – up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce – is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant,” National Geographic’s website states. The carnivores are primarily found in China, India and Southeast Asia.

As the snake remains on the loose, residents in the area are urged to be cautious. Anyone that spots the creature is asked to call 1-888-404-FWCC immediately.

Photo of the snake traps courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission