ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Nearly two weeks after a king cobra snake escaped from an Orange County home, students at a nearby school are being allowed to play outside again.
School district officials sent out an automated call to parents over the weekend, letting them know that despite the fact that the snake has not yet been found, outdoor recesses at Clarcona Elementary School are resuming
Parent Heather Lee said the escaped snake has been a frequent topic of conversation at her house.
"He asked me every day, 'Mommy, have they found the snake yet?' And unfortunately they haven't," she said.
Photos: King cobra escapes
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Penny Crafton said her family has discussed the snake, too.
"We really have no clue where it could be," Crafton said, laughing.
Wildlife officials said it was water damage that allowed the 8-foot snake to slip out of its cage at Mike Kennedy's house.
Kennedy lives about a mile from Clarcona Elementary School. Outdoor activities were stopped at the school while wildlife officials search for the snake.
"The decision to return to outside activities has not been taken lightly and has been done only after ensuring that our grounds are safe, and we have the necessary procedures in place and that our students know how to respond in the event that they see any snake," parents were told in the automated call.
On Monday, students at the school watched a video on snake safety, while the grounds crews cut back the landscaping and staff checked the area for any sign of the venomous snake. They were then allowed to resume playing outdoors.
Officials said the grass on the school grounds will be cut every week.
Wildlife officials said they are continuing to monitor traps they have set in hope of catching the king cobra.
Lee said she is OK with the children being allowed back outside. She just hopes that wildlife officials are able to find the snake.
"He doesn't want to go outside an play until they find it. Every day he asks me about it," she said.
Kennedy is facing a fine for not immediately reporting the missing snake.
WFTV
