8-foot-long python rescued in Noida
NOIDA: An eight-foot-long adult Indian rock python has been rescued after being spotted crossing a busy road in Noida’s Sector 127, forest department officials said on Saturday.
According to the officials, a commuter on Thursday night informed about the python to the animal rescue and rehabilitation organisation Wildlife SOS. By the time a two-member team reached the spot, the snake wound itself around the branches of a tree on a road divider near Tech Boulevard. One of the rescuers climbed up the tree to safely extricate the distressed snake, said officials.
“The python is currently at an observation centre in Delhi and will soon be released back into its natural habitat once deemed fit. We have decided to release it in an urban forest of Chhatarpur,” said a statement from
Wildlife SOS.
One of three subspecies of pythons found in India, the Indian rock python is the most common yet is a ‘near threatened’ species as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This indigenous species of python is fast losing its habitat due to urbanisation and is poached for exotic pet trade or
skin for fashion industry, said experts.
The python is protected under Schedule-1 of the Indian Wildlife Act 1972 and it is illegal to poach or kill the animal.
According to the forest department, there are several rock pythons in Noida.
“The reason why they are frequently spotted is that the region has several natural habitats for the python. We urge people not to engage personally or harm them and inform the officials instead,” said Pramod Kumar Srivastav, divisional forest officer, Gautam Budh Nagar.
Earlier too, in November 2019, a 12-ft long Indian rock python was rescued by the forest department from Sector-88. The python was later released in its natural habitat at Surajpur wetland.
According to experts, Indian rock python can grow up to 24 feet and are an indicator species.
“If it’s there, it indicates that even at a micro-level, there was a habitat to support it, along with prey. The Indian Rock Python feeds on large rodents, that also includes large rats. It’s a very non offensive species that won’t attack unless cornered. It may bite if one engages too much with it,” said Kartick Satynarayan, wildlfie expert and co-founder of Wildlfie SOS.