10 foot python rescued on St. Martin’s Island
The 10-foot python rescued on St. Martin’s Island. Picture: Collected
A giant python was drifting toward the shore with the sea waves. Several children playing on the beach were initially frightened when they spotted it from a distance. Later, they gathered the courage to approach and realized that the snake was alive. As the news spread, local residents rushed to the scene and rescued the python.
It is believed that the python drifted across the Bay of Bengal to St. Martin’s Island in the current of flash floods caused by recent heavy rainfall in the mountainous areas of Myanmar.
The python was rescued alive from the eastern side of the Dailpara beach in Ward No. 3 of St. Martin’s Island at around 3 pm Thursday.
Locals said several children saw the python coming ashore from the sea while playing on the beach in the afternoon. They later rescued it and took it to the local market. After the matter was reported to the Forest Department, the snake was placed in the custody of the St. Martin’s Union Parishad on the department’s advice.
Ayatullah Khomeini, a teacher at St. Martin BNP Islamic School and College, said the rescued python is about 10 feet long. It weighs an estimated 20 to 25 kilograms and may be three to four years old.
Local resident Toyeb Ullah said St. Martin’s Island is only about 8 kilometers from the Myanmar coast. During the monsoon season, heavy rainfall in Myanmar’s mountainous areas causes strong currents in the Naf, Mayu and Kaladan rivers. Along with trees, branches and other floating debris, various wild animals are also washed into the sea.
He believes the python reached St. Martin’s Island in the current of flash floods caused by the recent heavy rainfall.
Abdul Aziz, office assistant at the Department of Environment in St. Martin’s, said, “On the advice of the Forest Department, the python has been kept in the custody of the Union Parishad for the time being. Arrangements will later be made for its safe conservation or release at a suitable location.”
Foyezul Islam, acting chairman of the St. Martin’s Union Parishad, said the python will be sent to the Teknaf Range by trawler on Friday.
Abdur Rashid, forest officer of the Teknaf Range, said, “The rescued python is healthy and in normal condition. After it is handed over to the Forest Department on Friday, it will be released into a suitable natural habitat in the hills.”
Notably, another python measuring about 15 feet was rescued from a chili field on St. Martin’s Island on June 5. It was later safely released into the hilly areas of Teknaf through the Forest Department. As a result, the second python rescue on St. Martin’s Island within a short period has sparked widespread curiosity among local residents.
