Python creates panic in Agra village

A 12 foot long Rock python weighing 27 kg created panic in Nahchani village in Uttar Pradesh's Agra district.

A team of Uttar Pradesh Forest department and Wildlife SOS later rescued the enormous reptile, which will be released into its natural habit after observation.

"Normally in winter months reptiles rarely move out of their hideouts but this python ventured deep into the village creating a scare," a villager said.

The large snake had wandered out of the fields and made its way into the premises of a house.

Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder, Wildlife SOS, said: "Growing habitat destruction and encroachment is rapidly blurring the lines between forests and human habitation. Consequently, the wildlife living in proximity to such expanding areas has no choice but to forage or seek shelter in human habitats.

"We are glad that instead of taking matters into their own hands, the incident was immediately reported to Wildlife SOS, as in several cases these largely misunderstood reptiles become victims of man-animal conflict situations."

Baiju Raj M.V, Director Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS, said: "Pythons are excellent swimmers and are commonly found near fields and around water bodies. Though a nocturnal species, they are often spotted basking during the day and foraging on prey animals."

The Indian Rock Python (Python molurus) is a large non-venomous python species found in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They are often under the threat of habitat loss, poaching and is a sought after species in the illegal pet trade.

--IANS

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