Mumbai: Indian rock python with deadly maggot injury rescued

MUMBAI: An adult Indian rock python which was earlier found in a seriously injured state, with deep maggot injuries, has now been completely cured after being rescued and is ready to be released back in the wild.
"It is a rare instance to find a snake species with maggot injuries. This particular three-and-half-feet long Indian rock python had a very bad gash like injury in the mid-section which was also fully infested with maggots, and flies hovering over it. It could have been fatal, had the python not been rescued by a citizen, Samim Khan, between Thane and Mulund region,’’ said activist Sunish Subramanian, who is honorary wildlife warden and founder of Plant and Animals Society (PAWS-Mumbai).
The snake was very weak due to the big maggot wound
The volunteers of PAWS-Mumbai -- Siddhesh Thavre, Sandip Mhatralkar, Abhijeet Sawant - along with Amma Care Foundation (ACF), looked after the injured python for over two months, and were happy to note that the reptile slowly started recovering.
" . All the maggots had to be carefully removed manually from the injured part, along with the dead skin. Maggoticide and other antiseptic medicines were also applied there. Oral fluid therapy was also given to the python with an internal gastric tube, till it started self-feeding as it recovered and became stronger,’’ said veterinarian, Dr Manish Pingle.
A few days ago, the snake rescuers were glad to note that the python also underwent moulting (shedding off the old skin and acquiring a new one), which itself signifies that it had fully recovered and was ready to be released.
"We informed the local forest officials about this python rescue case, and then safely released it in a forested region in Thane," said Subramanian.