A rock python, a highly-endangered reptile, was killed by village residents near Allapatna, on the outskirts of Srirangapatna. The non-venomous reptile, which was around 10 ft long and weighing 40 kg, was beaten with sticks and crushed using an earthmover, alleged Forest Department officials. The incident occurred on Tuesday, but came to light only on Wednesday, N. Shivaraju, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Mandya, said. “We have booked a case against the miscreants,” he said. The Forest Department has decided to hold awareness programmes against killing wild after the incident.