12-feet-long python rescued in Agra village

Representational pic

Agra: A 12-feet-long Indian Rock Python was rescued by the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit from a farm in Sikandarpur village here on Monday.

The massive constrictor has injuries around its neck and is currently kept under observation for treatment and care. Once deemed fit, it will be released back in to its natural habitat. A three-member rescue team safely rescued the snake in about 30 minutes.

Sonu, a member of Wildlife SOS rescue team, said: "It was a tough task to get the python out of the burrow without alarming it as the burrow was narrow and the python was huge. Since it was already injured around the neck, we had to be extremely careful in handling the reptile."

Baiju Raj M.V., Director Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS, said: "The python has a severe wound near its neck which we assume was caused by the barbed wires at the boundary of the farm. The wound appears almost 3-4 days old and was infected with maggots. We have removed the maggots and are providing necessary treatment to the animal."

Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder, Wildlife SOS, said, "We are grateful to the public for considering the well-being of the python and reporting the incident to Wildlife SOS instead of taking matters into their own hands."

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 are a sought after species in the illegal pet trade.