Navi Mumbai: 10-foot-long Indian rock python rescued

NAVI MUMBAI: A 10 feet long Indian rock python which was noticed near a house in Chirle near Panvel in Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai was rescued by animal activists and forest officials on Monday afternoon.
"The adult python was rather sluggish as it had apparently eaten two ducks from a farmer's house in Chirle. We carefully picked up the reptile and then called up the state forest officials for further assistance," said activist Anand Madhavi of Vanyajeev Nisarga Savrakshan Sanstha (VNSS).
Forest official SS Dhande who rushed to the site to check the python told TOI, "The snake was properly rescued without causing it any harm. We later released it in another safe forested area near Chirle. It is good that the local villagers did not harm the python, since it is a wildlife protected species."
Meanwhile, Madhavi further said that the local youngsters, Aadyaksha Madhavi, Pankaj Gharat, S Sumit and Suchit Kumar, helped him in this rescue.
Citizens are also advised to either call the state forest helpline number -- 1926 -- or any of the registered animal rights groups in case a snake is spotted in their locality. It is illegal to harm or kill a snake.
"The Indian rock python species often become sluggish or show little movement after they have hunted and swallowed their prey live, as it take time for it to be digested. In such a situation, the pythons can be rather vulnerable, and hence locals are advised not to attack them," said another animal activist.