Kendrapara (Odisha): Residents of a village close to Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary in Odisha's Kendrapara district have rescued an eight-foot-long python in distressed condition.
The 8-foot-long reptile had strayed into the house of resident of Subrnapur village under Dangmal gram panchayat in close vicinity of forest areas.
"Villagers instead of killing the reptile decided to save it and informed forest officials. Forest personnel later rescued it and released it in the wild in protected Kanika reserve forest," said a Forest department official.
"It is refreshing to note that people had taken initiative to save the python. These areas are usually infamous for wildlife poaching activities," said Forest Range Officer, Kanika Forest Range, Akshay Kumar Nayak.
After rescuing the python, forest officials released the reptile in the mangrove forest of Bhitarkanika, which is a safe habitat for snakes and lizards.
Unless provoked, python never attack humans. On occasions, pythons were found attacking humans in self-defence, said forest officials.
"Forest department had held awareness campaign in villages on sanctuary-side to do their needful to protect wildlife. Villagers were convinced upon not to harm snakes and other reptiles if they happen to make an appearance in their neighbourhood. All creatures big and small are part of our ecosystem, and critical to the environment. It seems our endeavour is paying dividends as people have come forward in saving the python," the Forest Range Officer added.
