Electric Company Halts Work After Large Viper Found on Power Lines in Rehovot

A team from the Israeli Electric Company stopped repair work in Rehovot after discovering a large viper snake crawling on high-voltage power cables. The worker on the lift platform safely descended, and a professional snake catcher was called to remove the snake. Footage showed the snake moving along the cables while workers waited for its removal.

Boris Banderski, an Electric Company employee present at the scene, noted that although he had encountered snakes before during work, he had never seen one so large on power lines. The incident occurred during the spring and summer months when snake activity increases, even in populated areas.

Snake catcher David David advised against approaching or attempting to handle snakes independently, comparing it to calling a bomb disposal expert for explosives. He emphasized that most injuries happen when people intentionally touch snakes, act recklessly, or accidentally step on them without seeing them. He recommended maintaining distance, avoiding sudden movements, and contacting a qualified catcher.

During snake season, cluttered yards, scrap piles, and infrastructure sites can harbor snakes, attracted by rodents feeding on exposed food. In case of a snakebite, immediate medical attention is crucial: call emergency services, avoid driving oneself to the hospital, and do not perform harmful first aid measures such as cutting or sucking the wound.

The Electric Company’s swift response and expert intervention prevented potential danger, highlighting the importance of professional handling of wildlife encounters near critical infrastructure.